SWINDON Town look set to name club legend Alan McLoughlin as their new youth team manager following the departure of Scott Lindsey last month.

Following Town’s opening day win over Swindon Supermarine, head coach Luke Williams indicated that they hoped to make the announcement prior to them heading to Ireland on Monday.

The Adver understand that Lindsey’s successor as the under 18 manager will be former Town midfielder McLoughlin.

The 49-year-old was released from his position as first-team coach at Portsmouth in December, 2014, having also worked with the academy set up at Fratton Park.

The former Republic of Ireland international returned to the County Ground last February to become the lead development coach and worked with youngsters aged between U13 and U16.

McLoughlin now looks set to take control of the under 18s, with a new goalkeeping coach also imminent.

“We are certainly getting there,” said Williams on Saturday.

“We’re very close to appointing our youth team manager which I think is going to be an appointment which is going to please everybody who is a real Swindon fan.

“I think it will be a step in the right direction for the club.

“In terms of a goalkeeping coach, we are very close to bringing somebody in. We’ve taken quite a lot of time to bring in the right person and I think we are close to doing that now.

“So it is looking good for us. Everything will come together for us in time for the new season.

“The goalkeeping coach will be somebody who has worked with top goalkeepers and has experience of developing players.”

Meanwhile, while the first team are in Ireland work will continue on the new training facility in Highworth and Williams is looking forward to working with his team in what he thinks will be a first-class facility.

“From what we have seen so far it is excellent (the contractors) are experienced in catering for professional football clubs,” he added.

“We’ve got no concerns that everything we need will be provided and services and facilities will be up to standard.”