Austin insists it will be a 'big summer' ahead at Swindon Town

Striker Charlie Austin stressed it was a “big summer” ahead for Swindon Town as they get set to rebuild for 2024/25.

The County Ground side finished a lowly 19^th in League Two this season, capping off their campaign with a 3-3 draw against Morecambe.

Club captain Austin struck twice in that game, before admitting to BBC Radio Wiltshire he was not sure whether he would be back next term.

An array of players are reportedly out of contract at Swindon this summer, with the club’s retained list set to be announced.

A decision also remains to be confirmed on the club’s permanent manager, with interim head coach Gavin Gunning having been in charge since January.

And veteran frontman Austin insisted regardless of his own situation, there would be an important off-season ahead for the club.

He said: “The boys that are staying here for next season have got something to build on.

“They know that they don’t want to be in this position again, so they know that they need to push on and push harder.

“The new boys that come in will have to understand where those boys have been, so they are going to have to help them to get up the league.

“There is potential here, but it is a big summer for the football club.”

Austin’s goals against the Shrimps on Saturday took him to 201 professional strikes.

Despite that, the former QPR and Southampton forward admitted his regret over not being able to deliver success since re-joining the club in December 2022.

He said: “I have enjoyed being the captain of this football club in my second spell, I really have and it is sad that it hasn’t worked out the way that I envisioned when I first came through the door.”

(Picture: Rob Noyes)