DAVID Flitcroft says improving scouting and recruitment is the next phase of his overhaul at Swindon Town after conceding sections of the club are not up to scratch at present.

Flitcroft has made seven signings since his appointment as Town’s new manager earlier in the summer but with pre-season training and friendlies now well under way, the 43-year-old now have other aspects to focus on.

The former Barnsley and Bury boss is keen to develop sections of Town’s off-the-field structure ahead of the start of the season proper on August 5 as that will be critical if they are to mount a successful resurgence out of League Two.

“We have not got a scouting department, we have not got a recruitment department. That’s something we are having a meeting on to discuss the next phase of recruitment for January and further beyond,” said Flitcroft.

“We have asked everybody that I have built a relationship up with over the last 25 years to help us out on recruitment and it’s been a phenomenal effort from everyone. Everyone I can call on as a friend has given us a push on this.

“We have already recruited the players we have recruited but there is another phase of recruitment we are working on.

“The games are starting now so Carlisle need watching, as do Norwich, Exeter and Morecambe, four teams that need watching.

“It’s the next phase of what we are doing, it’s the next build, the next part of the plan that needs putting in.

“Hopefully this week we will have something into that because recruitment and infrastructure is everything to a football club.

“In any industry you have got a recruitment department, you are always looking to improve and we have got to be out there doing our homework.”

Flitcroft recently bolstered his backroom staff with the appointment of Chris Neville as head of player performance but his immediate impact has been hampered by shortcomings at the club.

“There’s no strength equipment in the building, there is no strength equipment for us to work with,” added Flitcroft.

“We have got a new performance coach in, who is outstanding, and when we have actually gone to look for equipment in body conditioning and strength and performance work, it’s not in there.

“It’s probably something that’s happened over a number of years that has just diminished into nothing.”