CHRISTIAN Roberts is poised for a move although he has no intention of going anywhere, writes JON RITSON.

The striker has opened contract negotiations with Paul Sturrock over a new deal at the club with the manager eager for the player to move a little closer to Swindon as part of any fresh agreement.

Roberts, who has 11 goals to his name this season, saw his agent meet with Sturrock yesterday.

Nothing is signed, sealed or delivered but the Welshman is hopeful of a successful resolution to talks.

He said: "The club have stuck by me during my problems.

"As long as everything is in the right place and done in the right manner then I'm happy to stay.

"I've got no burning desire to leave at the moment.

"Things are going well on and off the pitch and I'm enjoying it. That's the most important thing. I don't want to cause a fuss.

"My agent met with the gaffer. They've had a talk, the club have said what they want us to do. We'll go away now and have a chat."

One issue the manager has made a top contract priority is having his players much closer to their place of work and Roberts appears to be no exception.

He said: "The manager wants certain things, like moving closer to Swindon.

"I live in Cardiff which is about 80 miles but I've been travelling now (to Bristol and latterly Swindon) for about seven years.

"I want to live closer now, I want to have a couple of years of living in the area and feeling the atmosphere in the place where I'm playing.

"Eighty miles away you don't hear or see anything.

"I wouldn't mind being not so close' but close enough if you like.

"Twenty miles or so, a nice distance. Cirencester maybe? Not too far for my work."

While Roberts ponders his future, Sturrock has revealed further frustration in his pursuit of fresh faces.

The Town boss said: "We've got targets and we're just trying to speed it up a wee bit.

"But these targets, there's a couple where guns have been held to my head, where maybe a fee has all of a sudden come out of the woodwork or maybe sell-ons.

"But if we don't get anyone in then I'll use the loans system as much as possible.

"I will not be rushed on this but we would like to think we will add a freshness to our squad.

"I've got a list of players but some managers have had to play those I'd like because of injury and suspension, some are back in the plans of the managers, some clubs want money and with some players their wages are too spicy for us.

"There's all sorts of things that stop someone coming in to this club at the minute but we'll keep working away."

  • Andriy Shevchenko was back on the scoresheet as Chelsea eased into the Carling Cup final at the expense of League Two minnows Wycombe.

The Ukraine striker, who had not scored in 10 previous appearances, struck twice before half-time in the semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge to establish a lead in the tie.

Paul Lambert's men, who performed heroically at Adams Park in the first leg, missed a chance on the stroke of half-time to get back in the game before Frank Lampard added two more.

In the Hellenic League's Challenge Cup first round, Wootton Bassett were beaten 4-1 at home by Slimbridge.