6:40am Saturday 4th July 2009
By Anthony Marshall
TOWN boss Danny Wilson insists he is only targeting “quality” summer signings, as he lines up a double midfield swoop for Irishmen Alan O’Brien and Jonathan Douglas.
Irish international winger O’Brien, who was released by Hibernian at the end of the season, will arrive at the County Ground tomorrow for talks with Wilson and chairman Andrew Fitton, before training with his prospective new teammates next week The versatile wide man can play on either flank or through the middle, and Swindon’s manager is confident a deal can be completed imminently as he looks to add some blistering pace to his squad.
“We’re hoping to speak to Alan properly when he arrives down here on Sunday from Scotland,” revealed Wilson.
“Nothing is confirmed yet and he hasn’t signed anything, but we’ve identified him as a player who could be a big help to us.
“He will spend a few days here, we will have a chat with him, and hopefully be able to agree everything. If all goes well it could be done very quickly.
“What he will bring to us is that pace that every team needs. His pace is absolutely terrific and that will cause problems in this division.”
Another player firmly on Wilson’s radar is former Leeds and Blackburn midfielder Douglas.
The 27-year-old Irishman fits the bill for the tough-tackling central midfielder Town are in desperate need of, but the boss believes he will not be alone in chasing the ex-Premier League star.
“He’s a good player and if we can bring him on board it will be a fantastic acquisition,” said Wilson.
“We want to push forward, and if we are going to do that then the calibre of players like Jonathan Douglas is what we are looking at.
“There’s always competition for players of that calibre, but we’ve to do that. I’m not very big but I’m like a Jack Russell - I don’t let go.
“We are trying to assemble a real quality group of players We’re close to a few and I would like to think in the next seven to 10 days we could have two, three, four new additions.
“That might not happen and people might get disappointed and frustrated, but that is what we are aiming for. “And they will be players who we think are of the quality that will help us achieve what we want to achieve this season.”
Meanwhile, Wilson expects Simon Cox’s transfer to West Brom to be completed early next week.
The striker will travel to the Hawthorns for a medical on Monday ahead of his £2million switch, and Swindon’s manager confirmed the Baggies are still the only team in the running to sign him.
Wilson said: “We’ve given permission for Simon to speak to West Brom and he goes up on Monday and Tuesday for talks.
“We’re not trying to force anybody out of the football club, but the opportunity is there for Simon and he wants to play at the highest level.”
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