SWINDON Town manager Mark Cooper expects two new faces to join the Robins’ ranks before this weekend’s League One opener.

Cooper has so far added just midfielder Anton Rodgers and defender Josh Lelan to the Swindon squad this summer, but he and owner Lee Power have continued to chase their main targets - namely the Southampton pair of Jack Stephens and Jordan Turnbull, Liverpool left-back Brad Smith and an unnamed striker.

After a summer of frustration, there could be late relief for the management and fans alike, however, with Cooper telling the media this morning that he is anticipating at least two additions ahead of the visit of Scunthorpe United this weekend.

What’s more, those players could sign on by the end of today, while a third arrival is possible before kick-off at the County Ground on Saturday.

“I think two will definitely be done before Saturday and hopefully one more," said Cooper, who remained coy when asked about the identities of the pair - though it is expected that Turnbull and Smith are the players in question.

“We’ve not had as many players as we would like in but I would hope, even before Saturday, that we would get one or two in.

“I think we’re close on one or two and all being well it could be done by close of play today.”

On the long wait for new signings, Cooper said: “It’s frustrating but it’s just the way it is. It can’t be helped. You can see the kind of players we’ve been going for and they’re very well thought of by their clubs. We’re at the beck and call of their managers because if they don’t want to let them out at a certain time we can’t do anything about it.

“We have to be patient because they’re the ones we want. We’re not going to cry about it and if we have to wait to get the ones that we want, we have to wait.”