RICHIE Wellens has vowed to sign three more players before the summer transfer window closes on Monday, September 2 – but admits his search for a proven goalscorer has hit a stumbling block.

The Town boss – who is still trying to offload winger Jermaine McGlashan and midfielder Toumani Diagouraga to cut some slack in his wage budget – revealed his struggle to find Rotherham loanee Jerry Yates a partner up front, but expects negotiations with potential targets to pick up in the next week or two.

In addition, Wellens doesn’t anticipate being involved in today’s Premier League deadline day – which offers clubs outside the top tier their last chance to snap up younger talent on loan deals.

Given Town’s position in the Football League, the 39-year-old admits Swindon will be at the back of the pecking order for young players looking to make their mark outside of the top division.

Wellens said: “We’ll definitely have three in before the end of the transfer window.

“But we’re not close to anything (strikers). We’re trying, but we’re at the back of the queue.

“Hopefully in the next week or two, two or three players will start moving and it will have a knock-on effect. We’ll keep trying because I think we’re still three bodies short of a squad.

“Premier League teams have to name their squads, and there will be certain players that won’t be included and will have to go on loan to get some game time.

“But those players will be waiting for Championship clubs, and then League One clubs before they get to us.

“Unfortunately, we’re at the back of the pecking order. We’ll do our best to get the right players in – and the right characters too.”

January loan signing Theo Robinson now appears to be off the cards after he started for parent club Southend United in their opening day fixture against Coventry City on Saturday.

Wellens previously hoped he could tempt Robinson back to SN1 after the 30-year-old scored seven goals in 16 league appearances in the final third of last season.

Wellens said: “There’s been no movement with Theo (Robinson), and he started for Southend at the weekend.

“It’s a bit difficult when you’re trying to get players that are actually starting for their parent clubs. It’s hard to try and prize them away.”

Regarding Kyle Bennett, talks continue to take place between Wellens and Bristol Rovers boss Graham Coughlan.

He said: “We’re still trying to work on Kyle Bennett.”