Lewis Ward and Bruno Tavares thought to be Swindon Town trialists

A third trialist has been involved across the first two pre-season friendlies, however, the striker's name remains unconfirmed.

And a fourth out-of-contract player - thought to be ex-Millwall U23 full-back Rob Strachan - featured during Swindon's first pre-season friendly against Melksham Town, though he was not on the team sheet against Hungerford Town in midweek.

Goalkeeper Ward played the second half in both Swindon's 0-0 draw with Melksham on Friday and their 3-2 defeat away at Hungerford on Tuesday night.

The stopper impressed in both outings, with his highlight being a superb double save from close range against Melksham.

Ward, 24, is a free agent after being released by Exeter City at the end of last season, where he most recently spent time on loan at Portsmouth during the second half of the campaign.

The young stopper began his career at Reading, although he never made a professional appearance for the Royals. Ward went out on loan to non-league Whitehawk, Fylkir, Margate, Hungerford, and Aldershot Town. He also spent time at Northampton Town and Forest Green Rovers while both were in the football league.

Ward made St James Park his permanent home in 2019 and went on to play 33 times across the next season-and-a-half, including in a 2-1 defeat against Swindon at the County Ground as Richie Wellens' side attempted to rubberstamp their promotion quest.

Meanwhile, winger Tavares played around an hour on Tuesday night, scoring the first after calmly round the goalkeeper one-on-one before setting up Ben Boulden in the second half following an attempted shot at goal from the right.

The 23-year-old was most recently at Combined Counties League Division One side Enfield Borough - where former Swindon winger Anthony McNamee has just taken over as manager, assisted by another ex-Town man in Patrick Kanyuka - a club he has been at since 2017.

He is also thought to be a family member of recent Arsenal signing - Nuno Tavares.