SWINDON Town’s more expensive players may not have to be sold to balance the books over the summer, according to manager Kevin MacDonald.

The Robins are expected to slash their football budget, believed to include backroom wages, to around £200,000 a month from the start of next season - a reduction of 50 percent - as the club look to focus on the development of younger players over the signing of top-dollar senior pros.

A number of high earners will remain, however, including Gary Roberts, Alan Navarro and Andy Williams - who all have 12 months left on their contracts.

MacDonald insisted he would not be pushed to sell those assets but intimated that they would be available at the right price.

“You’d have to ask the other people at the football club with regards to that. I don’t think it has to happen, it would only be if the right money is offered for them and if the right money is offered to the players as well. Some of the players might not want to leave,” he said.

“Speaking to quite a few of them, they enjoy being at this football club. Sometimes if they get in a position when they’re enjoying it and are well liked then it’s better to stay rather than move on to pastures new.

“We’ve still got quite a few senior players here, we’ve got some good youngsters and if we get one or two players who might be on a free transfer, or even some loans, let’s see what we can do.

“We need to make the whole club competitive and I think we can be. Yes there will be a few younger players but there are some old heads as well and we have to try to work with them a bit better as well.

“It’s going to be important for those senior players - like Darren Ward and Andy Williams - who are very good with the younger players to get them playing to their ability.

“If we all stick together - the players, the supporters, the club - then we’ll be fine.

Meanwhile, MacDonald is hopeful that Town will be able to offer suitable terms to captain Alan McCormack to ensure he remains in Wiltshire.

“Apparently his agent has been talking to the powers that be,” said the Swindon boss. “I don’t know what offer has been made but there will be an offer made to Alan. Being the captain of the team it would be good to keep him here.

“The other people are dealing with the finances, which is great in many ways for me because I can’t get involved in it, and it’s up to them to try to negotiate not just with Alan but with all the other lads as well.”