Swindon Town are expected to change their focus this summer and head for a more Youth oriented approach.
Part of these plans are to integrate the youth team more with the first team which would allow Town to slash their wage budget following two years of silly spending by Paolo Di Canio where some players are rumoured to be on around £7,000 a week.
The integration has already begun with Town offering pro deals to 5 players this season from the youth set up including Alex Ferguson, Mark Francis, Aaron Oakley, Louis Thompson and Connor Waldon.
A sixth youngster Kaydon Jackson recently won a years contract in the Samsung be a pro contest bringing the summer signings potentially to six youngsters.
Town boss Kevin MacDonald is expected to meet with his squad this week to confirm who is and isn`t part of his plans heading into the Summer.
It is expected that Town will sell Paul Caddis now that they failed to achieve Championship Football with Birmingham City leading the way after a successful loan spell at St. Andrews this year, although skint City are not willing to depart with all the transfer fee up front, because they don’t have it. Caddis is keen to remain at Birmingham however.
Town could look to offload some more of their highest earners this summer including Gary Roberts, Jay McEveley as well as goalkeeper Wes Foderingham to reduce the wage bill to a sustainable level.
Simon Ferry, Joe Devera, and Aden Flint among others could leave for nothing in the Summer as their contracts come to an end as well at Nathan Thompson, although Town would receive compensation for Thompson.
Town are keen to pick up some bargains with Premier League teams releasing players who didn`t quite make the grade but may still have a future lower down the footballing pyramid. The club recently held open trials and development fixtures in a bid to spot any future stars.
Swindon Town are keen to hold onto Nathan Thompson who they see as a part of the building process. Rumours have circulated given MacDonald`s previous history with youth management, this was a key part in naming him manager as he could help bring talent through who could eventually be sold for profit similar to Crewe Alexandra to make the club self sustainable.
It won`t be all youngsters coming in though, If rumours from Birmingham City are true, Town have already agreed a permanent long term deal with loan striker Adam Rooney and the Swindon Advertiser reported last week that Nathan Byrne was set to sign a permanent deal at the County Ground in the Summer.
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