Wellens expecting more arrivals at STFC in coming weeks

RICHIE WELLENS insists there is more transfer business to be done at Swindon Town before the close of the summer transfer window. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker spoke to the STFC manager at the team’s training facility this morning.

With the transfer window set to close on October 5th, time is quickly running out for Swindon Town as they attempt to bring in the players Richie Wellens desires as the club look to mount a League One playoff challenge this season. 

When asked about the possibility of new signings arriving at the club, Wellens explained how a new defender could arrive at SN1 before this weekends away fixture against Blackpool, with money freed up after centre-back Tom Broadbent was told to find a new club. 

“We’re rooting around for a centre-back before Saturday,” said Wellens.

“Odimayo has a groin injury, Baudry is still not fit so we’re trying to get a centre-back in. 

“We’ve actually told Tom Broadbent that he can go and find another club. 

“With the salary cap, if you give a player a squad number then they are included in the salary cap,” he added. 

“The only way we can bring another centre-back in is to obviously use that money. If we don’t give him a squad number then his money is  free to bring another centre-back in.

“We’ve been waiting for Tom to be fit and he probably should’ve been fit three or four weeks ago and he’s not. 

“It’s just got to the stage now that with Conroy, Baudry, and Broadbent all injured we needed to make a decision to get a centre-back in as soon as possible. We just had to make the best decision for the team,” he said. 

Swindon have already made new signings this summer with Jack Payne, Jonny Smith, Tyler Smith, Matt Smith, Brett Pitman, Akin Odimayo, Joe Fryer, and Matej Kovar all signing for the club on a mixture of permanent and loan deals. 

And when asked about the expected new arrival of Jordan Stevens from Premier League outfit Leeds United, Wellens said the 20-year-old midfielder will offer Swindon a different attacking threat.

“He will bring pace, energy and something different in midfield,” stated Wellens.

“He’s played as a winger but at the moment with our wingers obviously we wouldn’t be looking to change there. 

“He just gives us another option and I think in the game on Saturday you saw that we were a bit leggy when we got to 70 minutes,” he added.

“He’s good on the ball, he’s tricky and can get you up the pitch pretty quickly. 

"He’s a really really good footballer and if you’re signing anyone from Leeds who is training with Marco Bielsa week in and week out then you know they are going to be fit. 

“I’m hoping he will bring a lot to us,” said Wellens. 

Swindon will also be announcing the signing of free agent Dion Donohue in the coming weeks with the defender now free to play again following the conclusion of an ongoing court case. 

Speaking about Donohue earlier today, Wellens heaped praise on the 27-year-old stating that he can be the best full-back in the division, but also warned it is last chance saloon for the former Portsmouth and Chesterfield player.

“Dion has had a lot of issues in his life and I think if you asked him then he would be honest about that,” said Wellens.

“This is basically his last chance saloon, I’ll give him a chance and he’s a kid that I love to bits. 

“He’s been training with us now for 8 to 10 weeks and he is looking good and fit.

“I just want to get his life and his career back on track and if he does that then I don’t see many better left-backs if I’m honest, apart from Rob Hunt,” he said.

Richie Wellens also revealed that former Plymouth striker Joel Grant has been training with the squad ahead of a potential move, with both Cameron McGilp and Tyler Reid expected to leave the club this transfer window.