AYR United gaffer Mark Kerr says that Luke McGowan will be key to his side’s fortunes next season.

The youngster had a sensational start to last season in the League Cup and Championship.

However, his season slowed down towards the middle of the campaign for a number of factors.

Boss Kerr is excited to work with the creative spark when Ayr get the all clear to return to training ahead of the new season.

He said: “Luke had a great start last year with the Betfred Cup and league season. He got sent off against Queens and then we had three cancelled games on top of the internationals – so his two game suspension sort of turned into seven or eight.

“It seemed to affect him and he was stop-start after that. It wasn’t anything Luke had done wrong but it was just that period away that impacted his progress.

“When he was in the team he was excellent. Luke’s a great boy. This year I’m really looking forward to working with him. I think he’ll be the one who’s carrying the can for the youth boys in the squad.

“There will be smaller squads so the ones who were out on loan or have made an impressive could be involved. “