SWINDON Town boss Richie Wellens is viewing the transfer market every hour to ensure his top targets can be offered competitive deals to link up at SN1 in January.

Accepting that he has to be realistic with his budget in the season’s second transfer window, 38-year-old Wellens believes the stature and history at the football club can help lure his main targets into signing on the dotted line.

Wellens’ comments were voiced amid his search for players in two positions on the pitch which he is looking to improve – however the positions will remain in-house, for now.

“Looking at the transfer market is an hourly thing for me,” said Wellens.

“There is no point in waiting until January 1 and understanding then what we need. If we did that, our number one target will be gone.

“We have to be realistic with regards to what we can get. But we’re a big club in this league and we can attract some good footballers.

“At the moment, we’re looking at players in a couple of positions that need strengthening.”

Meanwhile Wellens’ current set of players are starting to fall under key assessment from Town’s new boss, who took over from Phil Brown last week after the 59-year-old was sacked by chairman Lee Power.

Having led six training sessions and watched one game – Saturday’s 4-0 home defeat by Carlisle United – Wellens stated he has more confidence in his opinions of the players.

An inter-club friendly on Tuesday helped to strengthen those opinions as Wellens seeks to implement the ‘right’ attitude into his men.

He added: “When you come in, it’s so difficult to recognise strengths and characters.

“I need to know what players react to different things – who needs an arm around their shoulder and who needs pushing that bit more.

“I’m trying to get messages across that if they take players on in the final third (and fail) it’s not a problem.”