Life as a part-time professional can be something of a twilight zone between elite sportsman and fan as players occasionally find themselves on the same pitch as the game's best but Michael Chopra's arrival at Alloa Athletic has done wonders for self-esteem at the club.

Not only were they hugely boosted by the presence of someone whose exploits drew attention from all over the world when he was considered more valuable than a six million dollar man a few years ago, but he has offered his new colleagues insight into the impact their own Petrofac Training Challenge Cup performances had made on television audiences.

"Michael said he saw us beat Rangers in the semi and you would never think someone like him would be flicking through the channels to BBC Alba to watch Alloa, but he's a football-minded guy, he watches it all the time and he wouldn't be in this final if it wasn't for that game," noted Kevin Cawley, part of the nucleus of players who have taken the Wasps on a fine run that has brought two promotions and now this weekend's Challenge Cup final appearance at McDiarmid Park.

The real benefit, of course, is the almost surreal element of having in their ranks a player with the skill levels that previously saw him thrive in the English Premier League and the consequent experience of having played with and against some of the world's best.

"It's a bit strange to have Michael in the team now. I've not really had a chat one-on-one with him but I know he played at Newcastle with Michael Owen and Patrick Kluivert. Now he's playing with the wee man - Kevin Cawley!" the 5'7" forward said with a laugh.

"His presence around the club has lifted us and probably added 10% to the boys' game, but it's weird to have a player like Michael at a club like Alloa. You'd never have thought it would have happened."

What has impressed more established figures at the Wee County club, is how Chopra has reacted to an alien environment after years in England's pampered top flight before a more recent spell in the big money Indian Premier League.

"The first time we met Michael was before the Rangers game. We picked him up from the Quay in Glasgow.

"As soon as he walked on, a few of the boys shouted, 'Awrite Chops? What you doing here?'" Cawley reported.

"Mark Docherty and Liam Buchanan are the main jokers. You'd have thought they were his best mates the way they greeted him.

"One of them shouted, 'What kind of deal did you get to land up in Alloa, Chops?' but he took it all in good spirits."

Even before he showed that capacity to cope with colleagues taking the Michael, so to speak, there was obviously considerable respect for the newcomer's ability, however.

"We know him from watching the telly and we all saw him growing up, but he's come back from India, he's looking to get game-time and you saw against Livi last weekend that he can contribute," said Cawley.

"Even in training, you can see glimpses and in games we are now seeing his quality. Hopefully he will show that again this weekend.

"He knows us now, he's been here for a few weeks and he can be a focal point if he plays.

"That might make Livingston think a bit. I'm not saying they'll fear him but they'll know they have to be at the top of their game if he's playing.

"He will be looking forward to Sunday because he's never won anything in his career and he'll be looking to get that medal."

If Sunday's match seems an unlikely career high in the context of such a glamorous career, it is self-evident why some of Chopra's team-mates will see the occasion as special, not least those responsible for what has arguably been the greatest sustained period in the club's 120 year history.

"It's flown in over the last four years. We had a great start under Paul Hartley, we flew up the leagues and staying in the Championship last season was well deserved, even though it was by the skin of our teeth," said Cawley.

"After everything we've achieved I feel like this cup is a bonus. It would be good to end the season on a high with a cup, but the main thing is staying in the league.

"That is the priority because it's still going to be a good league next season and that's the chairman's aim, but deep down, the boys would all love to win the cup as you will be remembered forever here if you do that.

"Most of my dad's friends and all my friends are coming through and it's like a big family day out. I've achieved more at Alloa than I ever thought I would and getting to this final is probably the highlight of my career so far."