FRUSTRATION is growing for Swindon Town manager Richie Wellens as he struggles to get rid of players that he believes will benefit from a loan spell in a lower division.

Wellens has already struck deals with National League South clubs Havant and Waterlooville, Bath City and Dulwich Hamlet for Chris Robertson, Joe Romanski and Sol Pryce to join each respectively.

However, the Town boss feels multiple other players – who he wished not to name – are missing out on a huge opportunity to improve their game by turning down the offer to spend time on loan at a non-league club.

The negative approach adopted by some players has angered Wellens, who was part of the Leicester team that welcomed FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner Harry Kane into their side on a loan deal amid their search for promotion to the Premier League back in the 2012-13 season.

Wellens said: “We’re trying to get a couple more players out. What disappoints me is players that say they don’t want to go out and play.

“That really disappoints me. Going forward, how can I see players improve if they are not playing every week?

“I don’t get modern players that say they are happy to train Monday to Friday, and then watch the team on Saturday. It frustrates me, it angers me.

“It’s about getting 90 minutes every week, working hard on the training ground and developing your game.

“Some of the lads here are not doing that.”

Fear of being forgotten or ‘dumped onto the scrapheap’ is Wellens’ theory behind why some of Town’s currently neglected players are insistent on remaining at the club to live a Monday to Friday training lifestyle.

Ellis Iandolo and Jermaine McGlashan have not featured since the 2-1 win at Macclesfield Town on January 5, while Martin Smith has played just once under Wellens – the 4-0 loss to Carlisle United in November.

“They probably fear being forgotten. But, if you’re good enough, you are going to make it anyway,” said Wellens.

“I think some of them worry they will be left on the scrapheap if things don’t work out. If you’re good enough, you will find your way through.

“There are eyes and agents everywhere in football at every game. For me, it’s a lack of confidence.

“There is no point in those lads sitting about and not developing – it’s great experience for them and their character develops because they are playing in different stadiums and on different pitches.

“It’s proven at any level – Premier League and down. You are not a Premier League player if you are playing for an U23s team.

“These lads that walk around and say they’re playing in the Premier League are not – they’re playing in the U23s.

“They will drop down into the Championship – a brilliant level – or League One and it speeds up their progress.”