Swindon Town

King keen to keep attacking duo
Swindon Town boss Andy King insists none of his strikers are about to leave despite signing two forwards last week, reports Radio Swindon. Jamie Cureton and Tony Thorpe both put pen to paper on Friday. But King says their arrival does not mean Rory Fallon and Christian Roberts could be on their way out of the club. "I'm not looking to get anyone out," he said: "I've got a bit of money left in my budget and I'm looking to spend it. I'll be leaving nothing in the bank."

Swindon miss out on Melville deal
Swindon have missed out on signing West Ham's Andy Melville as the Hammers are hoping to reach a settlement with him on the remainder of his contract. Swindon had hoped to sign Melville, 36, on a season-long loan and cannot afford terms if the deal is permanent. "I cannot get involved if he's being released and I have to bid, because I haven't got the money," boss Andy King told the Swindon Evening Advertiser. "I certainly need a centre-back though as I've only got two left."

Smith ponders County Ground move
Swindon Town manager Andy King says he is aiming to sign former Gillingham captain Paul Smith. The 33-year-old midfielder is due to give his decision to the Robins next week after turning down the offer of a new deal with the Gills. King told BBC Radio Swindon: "If I can pull the Smith deal off then I would say we have a stronger squad than we had last year." Meanwhile Swindon hope to sign Wigan midfielder Gareth Whalley.

Championship sides keen on Smith
Former Gillingham captain Paul Smith is eyeing a return to the Championship with Derby or Sheffield Wednesday. "It goes without saying I would jump at the chance to stay in the Championship. "I'm flattered that big clubs like Derby and Wednesday want to speak to me and I want to hear what they have to say," he told the Medway Messenger. The 33-year-old midfielder has already had talks with Swindon manager Andy King after rejecting a reduced contract with relegated Gillingham.

Swindon swoop for midfield pair
Swindon Town have signed midfield duo Gareth Whalley and Nicky Nicolau. Whalley, 31, joined from Wigan where he played a bit-part role in their promotion to the Premiership after signing from Cardiff last summer. "There were a few clubs interested but I know Swindon like to play football and it felt right for me," he said. The 21-year-old Nicolau, a former Arsenal youth player, moved from Southend where he made 18 appearances during his year-long contract.

Falkirk and Swindon chase McShane
Falkirk and Swindon Town are chasing 19-year-old Manchester United defender Paul McShane. Both clubs want the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international on loan and he must now choose between the Scottish Premier League and English League One. Swindon manager Andy King said: "Sir Alex Ferguson has agreed he can go on loan, but the kid has other choices, one of which is Falkirk. "Basically, he can come here if he wants to." Falkirk are also reportedly considering a move for Carlisle United goalkeeper Matt Glennon, who has rejected a new deal.

Igoe completes move to Millwall
Millwall have signed Swindon Town midfielder Sammy Igoe on a one-year deal after he turned down the offer of a new contract with the Robins. The 29-year-old is new manager Steve Claridge's first signing, having played alongside him at Portsmouth. "He signed on Tuesday, it's all done. He's not going to break the bank by any means, I promise, and I'm pleased to have him here," said Claridge. "Swindon offered him more money but he has come as he wants to prove himself."

King admits friendly frustration
Swindon Town boss Andy King says he is frustrated after efforts to secure a friendly match this weekend failed. Town are yet to play a home match in pre-season after two matches were cancelled because of a pop concert by Elton John in June. "It's not looking hopeful," King told Swindon's official website. "I am not looking to play another non-league team this weekend, we have had our fair share of opponents from the lower divisions."

Swindon bid to sign Man Utd pair
Swindon boss Andy King hopes to sign Manchester United youngsters Tom Heaton and Colin Heath on loan. The pair trained with Swindon on Wednesday, but King will discuss the deal with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson on Thursday. Striker Heath, 21, scored twice for United's reserves against Bolton on Monday, while 19-year-old goalkeeper Heaton was also in the side. Heath made five appearances on loan at Cambridge United last season.

Swindon 1-3 Wycombe
Wycombe pulled off a mini-upset in round one of the Carling Cup after easing their way past Swindon. They moved a goal ahead after just 12 minutes when veteran midfielder Rob Lee set up Ian Stonebridge, who slotted home a low left-foot shot. Swindon levelled 12 minutes after half-time when Michael Pook curled the ball past Frank Talia. Wycombe deservedly went ahead again moments later through Nathan Tyson before Jonny Dixon added a late third. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Swindon: Heaton, Ifil, Reeves, Comyn-Platt, Smith, Whalley (Nicolau 76), Pook, Heath, Shakes, Roberts (Cureton 71), Thorpe (Fallon 61). Subs Not Used: Evans, Lapham. Booked: Thorpe, Smith. Goals: Pook 58. Wycombe: Talia, Senda, Easton, Johnson, Williamson, Betsy, Oakes, Lee, Stonebridge (Anya 84), Tyson (Dixon 65), Mooney. Subs Not Used: Williams, Nethercott, Martin. Booked: Johnson. Goals: Stonebridge 12, Tyson 62, Dixon 75. Att: 3,976. Ref: P Taylor (Hertfordshire).

Summerbee wants Tranmere contract
Former Swindon midfielder Nicky Summerbee is training with Tranmere in a bid to earn a contract. Summerbee, 34, was released by the Robins earlier this month. Little told the club website: "He has had a game with Swindon this season but they weren't in a position to put together a package for him. "I've invited him to train as he's a good player and I think he'll impress us, perhaps enough to be part of our group. The ball is in his court."

King has backing of board for now
Swindon chairman Willie Carson insists that manager Andy King still has the backing of the board at the moment - despite three successive defeats. "I don't think the board is going to be talking about it at the moment, but if things don't pick up then you never know," Carson, 62, said. "I think it's best I keep quiet about the small minority of fans that have been making their displeasure known." But he added: "It'll probably continue to happen if we keep getting beat."

King hoping for 'a bit of luck'
Swindon boss Andy King hopes that fortune will turn their way soon, having suffered a run of three defeats. "We need a bit of luck in a sense, but there have been no hammerings. We have not been beaten heavily on any occasion," he told the club website. "We are working hard on the training field, but if we go to Bournemouth this weekend and concede after two minutes, we will have another mountain to climb. "I will keep believing, and if lady luck is with us, then so be it."

Bournemouth 2-1 Swindon
James Hayter's brace gave Bournemouth the win over Swindon as both sides finished the game with 10 men. Swindon defender Andy Gurney was dismissed for pulling back James Keene, with Hayter scoring the penalty. Steve Jenkins headed in Michael Pook's throw to equalise, only for Hayter to restore the Cherries' lead with a header after James O'Connor crossed. Josh Gowling was sent off for fouling Tony Thorpe, whose penalty was saved by Cherries goalkeeper Gareth Stewart. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bournemouth: Stewart, O'Connor, Cooper (Hart 64), Young, Gowling, Cooke (Rodrigues 45), Stock, Surman, Foley, Hayter, Keene (Hudson 87). Subs Not Used: Pitman, Whisken. Sent Off: Gowling (69). Booked: Cooke, Keene. Goals: Hayter 24 pen, 68. Swindon: Heaton, Gurney, Ifil, Collins, Jenkins (McDermott 75), Miglioranzi, Pook, Whalley (Heath 83), Smith, Thorpe (Roberts 79), Fallon. Subs Not Used: Bulman, Shakes. Sent Off: Gurney (23). Booked: Ifil. Goals: Jenkins 44. Att: 7,276. Ref: B Knight (Kent).

King rues Thorpe's penalty miss
Swindon boss Andy King was left to rue a missed penalty by Tony Thorpe as they were beaten 2-1 at Bournemouth. "Jerel Ifil was tremendous, but the one time in the game that James Hayter got across him, he scored and we went 2-1 down," the Robins manager said. "But if Thorpe had scored the penalty, I think we would have gone on to win, as we still scared them after that. "We were the ones who were pressing. There were some glorious chances, but we never got the second goal."

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