COWDENBEATH have been drawn in the same group as Hearts, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers for the Betfred League Cup.

The draw, made on Friday night, saw the Blues drawn with Cove, who they played in the League 2 Play-off which had an explosive end at Central Park earlier this month.

It will be a difficult group with Inverness and Hearts doing well in the SPL and Championship last season and the Raith game having a derby flavour.

And of course will there be any hangovers from the play-off?

Meanwhile boss Gary Bollan, on Thursday, released nine and signed two players. The newcomers are former top scorer Kris Renton and high scoring midfielder Martin Scott, who was with Stenhousemuir last season.

Martin, 32, of course is a vastly experienced player who numbers among his previous clubs Hibs, Ross County and Livingston. Capped by Scotland at under 21 level, Martin can play in a number of positions and he will be offered a warm Central Park welcome. Also signing on the dotted line was former favourite Kris Renton who returns after a season in League One where he helped Alloa win promotion. The big striker was Cowden’s player of the year in season 2016/17 and fans will be very pleased to see Kris back at the Blue Brazil.

Over and above Martin and Kris, Gary was absolutely delighted to be able to resign many of the players that he wished to retain from last season - those players who were able to go to the ground to extend their existing contracts were Ryan Connelly, Cammy Muirhead, Jamie Pyper, Fraser Mullen, Robbie Buchanan, Brad Smith, Kyle Miller, Harvey Swann and David Cox.

Director David Allan thanked the nine lads who have been released and offered them the club’s best wishes for the future: “We gratefully thank them for all their service to the club. We wish them well in their future careers”. The players released were goalkeepers Blair Penman and Joe McGovern; defenders Matthew McInally, Shaun Rutherford, Ali Smith, Jordan Hornby and Scott Rumsby, plus attackers Jack Whittaker and Ben Reilly.

The manager is determined to improve the club’s recent poor league returns and will look to bring in the type of players who can start putting together winning runs consistently and that was why dangerous players Scott and Renton were fixed up.

The manager added: “Letting nine go means that we have to look for a number of players but it is important that we get the right people in.” The manager will need at least six or seven more players but he has already spoken to several candidates and hopes to name more signings over the next few weeks.