DUMBARTON assistant manger Stephen Farrell is happy with the rebuilding of the Sons squad so far after five players were signed last week.

With new boss Stephen Aitken on holiday in Florida, Farrell has been left in charge as the squad for their debut season at Dumbarton starts to take shape.

Farrell overseen the signings of former Alloa striker Kevin Cawley and ex-Queen’s Park midfielder Darren Miller, while Andy Graham and youngsters Mikey Hopkins and Donald McCallum extended their stays at the club. Added to the capture of Grant Gallagher and Gregor Buchanan, as well as goalkeeper Jamie Ewings signing a new deal, Sons have eight players committed for next season, Farrell admitted that while there is much work still to be done, he is happy with how the squad is shaping up.

He said: “We’re delighted with what we have been able to do this week. Kevin Cawley is someone we have known for a while, we’ve set up teams against him and know what a good player he is so we think he will do well for the club.

“Darren Miller is a great prospect who again we have known for a while.

“We are happy with where we are, we knew the situation coming in, that it would be difficult to get the majority of our squad sorted quickly.

“There are players who have been full-time that we are talking to. Understandably for themselves and their family they are keen to stay full-time, but we are confident that there will be some which will see Dumbarton as a great option if that is not the case.” According to Farrell, Sons fans can expect around another 10-12 new faces at the Rock before the start of the season as the new management team aim for a squad of around 18 for the next campaign. Farrell revealed that he expects one of those to be defender Scott Taggart but Mark Wilson has not been offered a new deal at the club.

He said: “We are aiming for a squad of 18 players, supplemented by some young players at the club.

“We are not keen on flooding the place with loan players, we’ll maybe get one or two on loan maximum.

“Mark Wilson has not been offered a deal. Scott Taggart is on holiday just now but he has said he will sign when he comes back.”