SWINDON Town head coach Ben Garner revealed Alex Gilbert almost didn't sign on loan as he was set to be named in Brentford's Premier League squad instead.

Garner claimed Town had been after the versatile forward for a number of weeks and were set to be disappointed as Thomas Frank named his 23-man squad for the Bees' debut Premier League campaign.

Thankfully, from Swindon's point of view, Ben Chorley's time watching the 19-year-old throughout pre-season had not been wasted as the decision was made to send Gilbert out for regular first-team football instead.

Some fans were disappointed that Town were not able to bring in an experienced striker on deadline day, but Garner says the amount of talent and promise Gilbert has will soon make them forget their concerns.

Garner said: "It had been going on for a few weeks, this deal. Ben Chorley watched him very early on in pre-season, and we knew him historically from his time at West Brom as well.

"It was just a case of having a bit of patience on that one – can we get the one that we want in? Fortunately, we were able to do that, which two weeks ago looked very unlikely.

"Two weeks ago, it looked like he would be named in Brentford’s Premier League squad, so that shows the calibre of player that we’ve brought in that he’s very close to being in Brentford’s match-day squad in the Premier League but he's come to us on loan instead."

Set for his first loan spell in senior football, the Brentford winger arrives at the County Ground with plenty of promise from his time in academy football.

Garner is excited by what he's seen already in training and said Gilbert's finishing skills are what sets him apart from most others.

Garner said: "Alex is an excellent player, he’s technically very good, very creative, very forward-thinking.

"He’s an outstanding finisher off both feet and can finish with his head as well – I think he’s very different to what we’ve already got.

"He gives us versatility in the forward areas – he’s a really talented young player with great potential.

"We’re hoping he can play a bit part in our season, but also that we can play a big part in his career."