WORK has already begun on putting together Swindon Town’s squad for next season, according to David Flitcroft.

He may only have been confirmed as the club’s new manager on Monday but despite being in America, the 43-year-old has started laying down the blueprint for his new-look side.

With only 10 players definitely contracted beyond this month and the manager search meaning that Town have been unable to get their recruitment drive into gear until now, time is of the essence for Flitcroft, with the former Bury boss indicating he will need to speak to a minimum of 80 players to find the right ones.

However, he knows he has the time and the contacts to make sure Town are in a strong position come the start of pre-season.

“I don’t feel under pressure. We’ve got to get the right ones. We can’t just jump in because players are available,” he told the Advertiser.

“I have been speaking to players over the last 24 hours but you can’t scatter bomb recruitment at all.

“It’s got to be precise, it’s got to be concise and it’s got to be exactly what you are looking for.

“We won’t be rushed or panicking to sign anyone and if someone wants to sign for someone else, I never have a problem with that. You can never hold a gun to a player’s head and request him to sign but what you can do is be in the hunt and be in the chase for a player.

“What I do know from being experienced at this for over 10 years now, is we’re going to have to speak to over 80 players to get the right level of players and the number we want in.

“We’re going to have to speak to a hell of a lot of players and that is the total focus and the total priority for me as a manager now and obviously planning a pre-season campaign and pre-season games.

“There a lot of work to do but there are 24 hours in a day so there is plenty of time and we’ve got people who are certainly on with that as we speak.”

With contract offers out for five players, including skipper Nathan Thompson, and the futures of Jake Evans and Tom Smith yet to be decided, Flitcroft spent yesterday contacting Town’s current crop to lay out his vision and what he expects from them during the close season.

The new manager says he should have a better understanding of where everything lies by the time he is officially announced at a press conference early next week.

“Just before the weekend kicks in, I need to personally speak to all the players that are there and the players that are running out their contracts or are in negotiations,” he added.

“It’s now become about the job and it becomes about speaking to our contracted players and I will know more on Monday.”