LEE Power is already preparing for next season as he revealed Swindon Town have deals in principle to bring in two players to the County Ground.

With the announcement yesterday of Luke Williams being handed a five-year contract to be head coach of the team, it is clear that the Town chairman is looking beyond this campaign.

While Power has admitted that the club’s recent run of form has meant this season is still very much alive, he has one eye on being ready come August.

Unlike last season, when five players, not including loans, headed for the County Ground exit door during the summer transfer window, Swindon have intentions of keeping the core of this season’s side together, whatever their standing in the league come the end of the season.

However, Power knows that any player is available for sale should the right offer come along.

“It is always our intention (to keep the squad together),” he told a fans phone-in on BBC Wiltshire.

“There were some player sales in the summer, for various reasons those players had to go, their valuations were met and you couldn’t stand in the player’s way.

“I think this season has been a bit transitional, it wasn’t meant to be like that but through injuries and other reasons it has turned into one of those seasons.

“At the moment we are on a good run and if we can finish strongly it might actually be a fruitful season.

“The crux of the team and a lot of the players, who wouldn’t have necessarily played if those injuries hadn’t occurred, have come on and are now some of the strongest players in the side.

“It is definitely a team that we are excited about for next season.”

The recruitment drive for next term has already begun, according to Power, with two deals in principal agreed on as-yet unnamed players.

With players like Colchester United’s George Moncur and St Patrick’s Athletic’s Sean Hoare remaining on the radar, Town’s head honcho is keen to move away from using the loan system and focus more on their own players next season, with the emergency loan window due to be scrapped.

“Regarding recruitment for next season, it all depends on where we are regarding which players are out of contract, which players stay, which players go,” added Power.

“In principle, I have got two deals done already.

“Obviously you can’t sign players outside of the window but we have got agreements in principle with a couple of clubs.

“There are a number of areas that have been filled by loans but we will be looking to bring in our own players and permanent (players) because the loan market changes next season.

“We have to focus more on our own type and home-grown players.”