Forres Mechanics manager Steven MacDonald is pleased with triple summer transfer swoop and step-up for young striker but targets more fresh faces

Three new signings and a step-up for youth prospects, but the manager needs to do more transfer business.

Forres Mechanics were back in pre-season training last week with new recruits Sean McCarthy, Cohen Ramsay and Lewis Mackenzie all meeting their new team-mates.

Manager Steven MacDonald has also given a first professional contract to 18-year-old youth team striker Kieran Hayllar, who impressed on loan spells at Dufftown and Islavale last term.

Fellow youngsters, ex-Ross County kid Josh Grant and another youth product Jake Newlands will also train with the first team.

But with Mechanics also losing four players over the summer, their boss is eager to bolster their numbers even more.

“We’re looking at 14-15 signed players at the moment so we need to get more in,” said MacDonald, who has a goalkeeper on trial at the moment and is also keen to explore the loan market once the season gets under way.

MacDonald brought in one keeper in ex-Wick and Rothes man McCarthy, with two going out the door when Cammy Farquhar and Corey Patterson moved to pastures new.

Defender Ramsay came in from Buckie Thistle and Mackenzie, who looked good in a loan spell from Clach last season, has completed a permanent switch to Mosset Park.

Defender Calum Howarth and midfielder Liam Grant have also moved on, and MacDonald will have to stave off big interest from last season’s star player Jordan Alonge, who still has a year of his Cans’ contract to run.

“We did the three signings early, on the back of losing three players that stepped away from the Highland League,” MacDonald added.

“We would have been in a good position with all of those players still here, but now it’s a case of replacing these numbers.”

Young gun Hayllar hopes to make a Highland League breakthrough next term.

The former Elgin City youth was farmed out to junior sides Dufftown and Islavale, scoring several goals including an injury time strike that saved Keith side Vale from relegation.

“Kieran is a good player,” said MacDonald. “He just needed a bit of men's experience and probably needs a bit more of it, to be fair.

“But he's ready to come into our squad, definitely.

“I think it's been proven. I've always liked youth and taking young boys through in squads. But it takes time and you certainly can't get away with too many young players in your team until they get up to that sort of standard.

“You hope that one day in the future that they can become good Highland League players.

Mechanics have a bounce game this weekend and have lined up four official friendlies against Caley Thistle on June 28, Nairn St Ninian on July 9, Ross County on July 12 and Colony Park on July 19.

The Caley Thistle and Colony Park matches are at Mosset Park.

MacDonald was happy with the fitness levels of his squad when they returned to training last week.

“They're in good condition and it’s just a case of building it up and getting them sharper now.”