Annan Athletic have re-signed four more players from last season’s squad this week, to add to recent deals handed to midfielder Owen Moxon and defender Ayrton Sonkur.

And with the addition of Matty Douglas and Aaran Taylor (subject to clearance) from Workington Reds, boss Peter Murphy is well on the way to creating a useful squad ahead of their competitive opener, after re-signing centre-half Peter Watson, centre-forward Tommy Muir, centre-back Steven Swinglehurst and striker Christian Nade.

The Scottish League Two outfit will entertain Dumbarton on Saturday, July 13 (3pm) in the Betfred Cup, followed by a trip to Queen of the South (Tuesday, July 16), before they host Morton on Tuesday, July 23.

Annan complete their Group E fixtures with a trip to Motherwell on Saturday, July 27. The top two progress in the competition.

Ex-Carlisle ace Murphy, the record appearance holder for an outfield player for United, who signed a new two-year contract during the end-of-season play-offs, said: “It’s all very quiet at the moment on the signing front.

“But we’ve been able to keep the nucleus of the squad from last season.

“We’ve lost a few players due to doing so well but not getting promotion.

“I was very disappointed with the way we didn’t get promotion. The players did everything that was asked of them.”

Annan fell at the final hurdle, losing 2-0 to Clyde in the second leg of the League One Play-Off final, after winning the first leg 1-0 at home.

Watson, 33, has played more than 300 times for the Black and Golds, while Muir, 23, has penned a one-year deal and has just won the top goal-scorer award in his first season.

Swinglehurst, 26, has made more than 200 appearances since joining from Carlisle in 2012. And Nade has signed a new one-year deal.

Details of Annan’s pre-season friendlies are expected to be released soon.