DISCUSSIONS are taking place between Phil Brown and multiple players to fill the void left by Amine Linganzi, who announced his departure from Swindon Town on Saturday.

The Congo international midfielder, who appeared on 25 occasions for Town last season, became the second player to be offered a contract by Brown at the end of the season only to later depart, after Matt Preston also quit the club to join Mansfield two weeks ago.

It means Matt Taylor is the only player to have put pen to paper with Swindon since the end of the season, but Town assistant boss Neil McDonald said discussions between players are ongoing.

That includes Ryan McGivern, Stuart Moore and Joe Romanski – all of whom are still yet to agree deals despite being offered contracts by the club a month ago.

McDonald said: “Contracts are still ongoing. We’re chatting to players left, right and centre. Phil has been meeting players, that’s all ongoing.

“Players are speaking to everybody. They’re hedging their bets and waiting as long as they possibly can.

“It’s about touching base with them, which we have. Hopefully they will decide to come to the County Ground.”

The 52-year-old, who had previously worked with Linganzi, described his departure as a ‘shame’ but the focus must now switch for McDonald and Brown, who have less than three weeks until the club’s first pre-season game at Cirencester on Tuesday, July 3.

The pair currently have a squad of 18 first-team players available, including two goalkeepers, five defenders, four midfielders and seven forwards.

McDonald added: “It’s a shame Amine (Linganzi) won’t be at the club next year.

“I’ve worked with him in the past, he’s a decent player. He’s decided to go elsewhere, and we have to respect that. We wish him all the best.

“It’s means we have another job added to our list, but at the same time it gives us a chance to freshen things up as well.

“If players don’t won’t to stay it gives us a chance to find someone better than Amine.

“We’re in discussion with players for that position.”