SWINDON Town assistant manager Ben Futcher is urging fans to be patient as he and manager David Flitcroft continue to work all hours to secure further summer signings.

Despite the welcome arrival of defender Chris Robertson on a free transfer last week, the recruitment process is proving more laborious than first hoped.

However, the lack of activity should be no indication that work isn’t being done behind the scenes and, having been on the phone to several players in the last week and a half, Futcher is confident that they will be able to add to their squad again imminently.

“It’s been really positive (when we have been speaking to players in the last week),” he told the Adver.

“Unfortunately - I know people don’t want to hear it – it just takes time.

“There is a long process with players and agents and due diligence and it is a big rebuilding job, but we want to make sure we get the right characters and the right players in.

“Unfortunately, when you need so many, there are only so many hours in a day and it does take a little bit of time.

“We’re hoping to get things moving very, very quickly.”

With former head coach Luke Williams and his assistant Ross Embleton having no say in the club’s recruitment policy, the involvement of Futcher, alongside Flitcroft, is another sign of the change in approach from Swindon this season.

The 36-year-old, who was with Flitcroft at Bury, is more than happy to do his share of what he describes as ‘a massive workload’ but says the ultimate decision will always be made by the manager.

“I work with the gaffer on it,” he added.

“We are constantly making calls. He is doing the recruitment and has the final say but I help him build that and assist him in any way possible, whether that is phone calls, meeting players.

“I am here, as is suggested in the title, to assist in everything he is doing and be the shoulder to lean on and share the workload.

“I’m here to help Dave in every way I can. There is a massive workload and a massive job to do here and I am here to help him do that.

“He is the manager, he has the final say but I have come with him to help him in every way I can and share the workload and help get things done.”