Most of the previous squad have either re-signed or will do so over the next few days with Paul Weaver the latest to confirm verbally that he would be prepared to accept terms to extend his stay with the club.

McInally expects no fewer than 12 players to return and that could rise – Jamie Stevenson's currently considering an offer while away on holiday and the coach will this week make moves to bring Morton striker Brian Graham back for another season.

"Things are looking good," he said. "We have a good basis already and we will try and build on that.

"We are still looking at the goalkeeping situation and there are a few players I will be bringing along to training just to see how they do. "
He is making light of the short summer break which has given his players little chance for a rest.

McInally went on: "When I think back on it I don't think we were away from it for any longer last year. The good thing is most of the players have already been away and won't miss any of the preparations.

"Only Craig Tully will be gone for any length of time and David Dunn won't be around early on because he's getting married on Saturday. But, apart from that, we should have a clear run without people missing sessions.

"We were able to hold back things because of the bye in the Challenge Cup that effectively allows us to start our season a week later than everyone else, so that has worked out to our benefit."

But the Shire coach says the lack of a proper home base this year has its downsides. Finding a venue to play pre-season friendly matches has been a real handicap while getting permanent training facilities has not been as straightforward as he had hoped.

"It's difficult to arrange games against teams when we can't use Ochilview," he said.

"We visit Brechin a week on Saturday and that's good but, at the moment, we will just have to work around the Stirlingshire Cup games and, obviously, we will need to fit in a game on the day when all the other teams are playing in the Challenge Cup.

"As far as training venues go, I really want to find somewhere that has the same pitch as Ochilview because the more we train on that surface then the more beneficial it will be during the season.

"These things are being worked on and should be sorted out before too long."

McInally has revealed he's almost given up on the chase for former Alloa midfielder Pat Scullion but will run the rule over a few other signing options once training starts.

"Money is a bit tighter this year and that limits your options," he explained. "I notice some of our fans are looking for us to go after Joe Savage but that kind of thing is not going to happen.

"The reality of the finances means as well that we will have to again go with just a young second choice keeper sitting on the bench.

"It would be nice to have two goalies pushing each other every week for the jersey but you have to understand there are financial limits and we have to be realistic.

"But I still think we are well placed. There are some clubs which have started from scratch again and we are not in that position.

"We are sitting with the majority of the squad that got us into third place last season back for another year and that is a good place to be."