HOPES of a Swindon Town return for Charlie Austin appear to be over after reports stated the striker has undergone a medical at an Australian club.

Football Insider said that Austin has agreed terms with A-League outfit Brisbane Roar and is on the brink of a proposed move to the Gold Coast.

The 32-year-old is a free agent following his exit from Queens Park Rangers last summer.

Austin scored seven times in 38 games across all competitions for QPR in the 2021-22 season but is not part of the future under new manager Michael Beale.

Town were rumoured to be one of several potential destinations for the Hungerford-born poacher, with Preston North End also said to be interested.

A flag spotted at the County Ground towards the end of last season which read: "the return of the king", as well as Austin being spotted at a handful of Town games, fuelled speculation of a swansong return to Wiltshire.

Former boss Ben Garner stated that Austin would have to take a significant pay-cut to add to his 65 previous appearances but failed to completely rule out a potential move.

A recent cryptic Tweet from Austin appeared to rule out retirement and suggested he would surprise fans with his next move.

The Tweet read: "Sometimes you’ve got to roll the dice. Many times throughout my career so far I have rolled it, so why not once more?!"

Austin played for Town between 2009 and 2011, scoring 37 goals - including one on his first professional start away at Carlisle United - before leaving the County Ground for Burnley and subsequently QPR, Southampton, and West Bromwich Albion.

Austin's form in the 2014-15 season at QPR led to an England call-up, but he was an unused substitute for two games and never won an international cap.