Elliott was named Player of the Year for the second successive season last week, having arrived three years ago on a free transfer from League 1 Bournemouth.

The 29-year-old started his career at non-league Bashley, before joining the Cherries, where he played in the basement division before earning promotion in 2003.

And Coyle, who himself was a late arrival in senior football in Scotland, signing for Dumbarton aged 22, hopes there could be some bargains to nurture: "I've got no doubts about it (lower league players making the step up).

"The magic in it is making sure you spot the right ones.

"But there are players far and wide playing at a lower level that can step up, and Wade Elliott's shown that, and that should be an inspiration for players playing in the lower leagues.

"I know myself from coming through as a part-time player, you aspire to be the best and you really want an opportunity, and if you get the opportunity, then it's up to you to take that.

"I've got no doubt there are players playing in League 1 or League 2 are more than capable of playing in the Championship and Premier League football eventually."

And Coyle fully intends to build on the squad he has at Turf Moor, with discussions over new deals for Brian Jensen, Jon Harley, James O'Connor, David Unsworth and Jay Rodriguez, while Alex MacDonald and Adam Kay have been offered professional terms.

He feels more strength in depth in necessary to restrict the impact of injuries, suspensions and loss of form next term: "I think you've seen bits and pieces of it, but we do have to add players to what we've got.

"We've got some real quality at the football club, so they need a help as well.

"With 46 league games and two cup campaigns, there's an awful lot of games, and sometimes you need the numbers to help you out with that, so you've always got a freshness in your squad and everyone's on their toes, and we'll certainly do our best to make inroads into that."

Coyle has already stated his intentions to reduce the average age of the side, adding pace and power and a youthful vigour, and he added: "What happens when you don't have that big budget, you have to get the balance right.

"Yes you want terrific players who have played at a level and have that top notch experience, but equally you want that blend.

"You want that youth to mix with experience to give you that energy to be really vibrant and get about the pitch, but add ability to it."

And, after coming in in November after a parting of the ways with Steve Cotterill, Coyle is convinced progress has been made, although there remains a lot of work still to do: "When I came in, I didn't make any claims.

"What I wanted to do was win as many games as we could.

"I think we've shown we're capable of doing that.

"Within those wins you raise expectation.

"From my appointment, I think we've made progress.

"I think the style of football we've played, everyone likes to come and watch, we've shown we can win games.

"What we do have to add, and there's no getting away from it, is that consistency in terms of results.

"I think performances have been fine, but if I've got a tinge of disappointment, it will be we've lost games or drawn games when we've been in total control, so that's something that we have to make sure doesn't follow us into next season.

"It's a lot to work on in pre-season but a challenge that we're up for."