DAVE Byrne has warned Town fans not to expect "silly money" to start being thrown around at the County Ground - while transfer target Simon Cox was keen to play down his surprise appearance at Walsall.

The presence of the 170th richest man in Britain, Sir Martyn Arbib, on Town's new-look board has led to inevitable rumours of a huge transfer war chest' available but Byrne insists no-one will be splashing the cash as they look ahead to a new era.

Number one transfer target Simon Cox was in the stands to watch Saturday's creditable 2-2 draw at Walsall, while his Reading employers were crashing to defeat down the road at Aston Villa, but claimed his appearance was due to a friendship with injured Saddlers' skipper Michael Dobson.

Town are still waiting for an answer from the Royals after offering around £200,000 for the young striker but Cox himself is not expecting any decisions until later this month.

Having effectively sealed a protracted takeover on Friday, Town chairman Andrew Fitton will be meeting with the Football League early this week in a bid to persuade the authorities to lift the transfer embargo.

Fitton will have to convince the league to let Town resume normal business while they set about clearing the club's debts instead of waiting to end the restrictions until all monies have been paid.

Manager-in-waiting Maurice Malpas is expected to be officially appointed at a press conference on Tuesday morning and, if given the green light in the transfer market, will have little more than two weeks before the transfer window closes.

Byrne, who will become assistant manager, has already drawn up a list of potential signings with loan arrivals the more likely immediate moves as Town attempt to build for a more secure financial future.

He said: "We are not expecting silly money for transfers at all. I have heard some of these things said by fans in recent days but believe me that will not happen.

"It has all come out in the press in relation to the takeover and yes these guys have some wealth but they are not going to come in and chuck stupid money at it.

"I don't think Maurice Malpas would let them but most importantly I don't think they are silly enough to start shelling out thousands upon thousands of pounds."

With Arbib and family worth an estimated £370million, as well as considerable wealth among Town's other investors, Swindon fans can finally enjoy having their own presence in football's top 30 rich list.

Fitton's consortium have already showed their intent with a serious bid for Cox, but Byrne knows after a history of financial insecurity the immediate priority needs to be on ensuring a brighter future.

He said: "Yes we will get their backing but it will be sensible backing. We want to be in a position where we have stability from the top to the bottom of the club and that is exactly what Mr Fitton and Mr Wray intend to do and we will work to the means we are given.

"We will be bringing players in but we are not a club that is going to be spending hundreds of thousands of pounds. That would not make sense."

While Town fans hope to welcome new faces, they can also expect a few heading out of the exit door as they look to trim the senior squad to about 22.

Ibon Arrieta, Mauro Almeida and Franklin Anzite are all looking for moves elsewhere while the interest continues in goalkeeper Peter Brezovan, with Spurs the latest to be rumoured to be tracking him.

With Paul Robinson dropping out of favour at White Hart Lane, the Slovakian stopper could soon be lining up in North London.