LANDER Gabilondo will be a Swindon Town player by the time the Robins make the trip to Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday, the Swindon Advertiser understands.

The Spanish winger, most recently on the books of Osasuna and playing for the club’s reserve team in the lower leagues in Spain, has been on trial at the County Ground for the past five days.

And the Adver believes Gabilondo is close to finalising a deal with Town, after impressing manager Paolo Di Canio in training.

However, Swindon’s interest in QPR striker Leon Clarke appears to be cooling due to the size of the 26-year-old’s wages.

Negotiations are ongoing with the Premiership side over a potential loan agreement, although it is understood the Robins are not the only club dealing with the West London outfit.

While Clarke’s arrival looks in doubt, Di Canio is believed to be ready to sign another trialist - Michael Wojtanowicz.

The Austrian joined up with the team two days ago and could soon become a permanent fixture in the Town squad.

That would leave Swindon with 29 players at their disposal, and Di Canio admitted he needs to start sending players out on loan sooner rather than later.

But he revealed that it has so far proven difficult, with all his players expressing a desire to remain at Swindon.

“A few will have to go but there is something strange at the moment, strange but good,” said the 43-year-old.

“Normally in this kind of situation, the two or three players who were not involved in friendly matches or competitive matches want to go out on loan.

“Here they want to stay. They want to stay because we are building here with the right professionalism. They realise that if they move to Blue Square Premier or League Two somewhere, maybe they can play more games but they know the habit is not as good as here.

“Three for sure (should go on loan). I have told them and will try to convince them to go but they have told me they want to stay and improve. That is a good signal for me because it means they feel they are in a place now to be a better professional player, so I am happy in a way but it is too much at the moment.”