PAOLO Di Canio has confirmed his interest in Gillingham’s Luke Rooney and admitted that he is monitoring his situation after the want-away winger refused to sign a contract extension recently.

The Swindon boss first spoke of his admiration of the 20-year-old Rooney ahead of the Robins’ home clash with the Gills back in October, which Town won 2-0.

Rooney is out of contract at the end of the season and was axed from the Gillingham team for last Saturday’s win over Aldershot after negotiations over an extended deal broke down. His situation has alerted several clubs to his possible availability and Di Canio admitted he is a player he would love to see in a Swindon shirt.

The 43-year-old told the Advertiser: “I love football to be played on the ground and I love players who have the courage to go one against one and beat his opponent.

“Rooney is one of the players in this division who has impressed me, like one or two players from other clubs have too.

“In my opinion Rooney, even if he can sometimes lose discipline, is one player I like but I can’t say much more because I don’t know what his situation is at Gillingham.

“He is one of three or four wingers I would have, even if I already have very good wingers here already. In my squad I want to have four good wingers, five good strikers and four good central midfielders.”

No approach was made for Rooney before the loan window shut on Thursday, but Di Canio will continue to monitor developments at Gillingham.

But if a move is unable to materialise, Di Canio revealed that he also has a number of other targets in mind for when the transfer window re-opens in January.

He added: “We are monitoring the situation around us because obviously we have to think about now, but in one month’s time we have to prepare now because if it does not work then we have targets, this is for sure.”