DEFENDER Raphael Rossi Branco wants to remain at Swindon Town despite chairman Lee Power’s weekend assertion that the Brazilian does not want to sign a new contract with the club, the Swindon Advertiser understands.

Power insisted in a BBC Wiltshire interview prior to Saturday’s 3-0 League One win at Notts County that the 24-year-old may have played his last game for the club, having gone back on a verbal agreement to sign a new deal.

However, the Adver has been told that, having moved his pregnant girlfriend to the town, Branco is settled in Swindon but has been upset by the club’s apparent refusal to play him until the new deal has been signed, as well as the terms of the contract.

Branco has not featured since the win over Peterborough last month, with the club initially saying he was not fit enough to play and that they were protecting the groin injury that saw him miss more than a month.

The player himself however, confirmed he was fit on Twitter last week and hinted his lack of involvement was because of other matters.

Power told BBC Wiltshire on Saturday: “It’s quite simple with Rafa, we’re a bit disappointed with him. We had a contract which he’d agreed to sign, someone’s got in his ear, I’m not sure if it’s agents or whatever, he doesn’t want to sign the contract now, doesn’t want to be at the club. What can we do?

“I need players here that want to be at the football club not for themselves. That’s the reason why he’s not here today.

“When you negotiate a contract it’s not a problem but when someone shakes your hand not once but twice on it, then decides he doesn’t want to do it. You can’t run a football club like that.

“I’m trying to set certain standards at the club and if you let one person do it, it becomes an epidemic and there will be chaos. I can’t allow that to happen and maybe that’s probably (Branco’s) last game.”

The Advertiser understands that, though he did verbally agree to the deal offered, Branco was told he would not play until it was signed and it was this ultimatum that upset the defender.

Despite the disagreement, the Brazilian does want to extend his stay at County Ground where he has been quietly impressive this term.

Branco has impressed in key games such as the wins over Sheffield United, Bristol City and Peterborough, adding a combative element to Town’s back three not always provided by the squad’s other options.

Town declined to comment further when approached regarding the Branco situation yesterday but, following Saturday’s win, boss Mark Cooper admitted not having the Brazilian available to him could see Town attempt to add defensive cover in the January transfer window.

With both Harry Toffolo and Amari’i Bell injured, Cooper was forced to pick two academy players, Matt Jones and Curtis Da Costa, on his bench at Meadow Lane.

“We’re looking at adding to the squad in January and the chairman and myself are constantly eyeing targets and deciding which way we’re going to go,” he said.

“That’s (Branco’s situation) not my concern. My concern is the players on the pitch that are here, and trying to work with them to make them better and get results.

“We had Matt Jones and Curtis Da Costa on the bench because they’re part of our squad and we used them today.”

Andy Williams scored twice and Massimo Luongo also netted in Town’s win at County.