ANDREW Fitton has rubbished the latest reports linking Billy Paynter with a move to Bristol Rovers, claiming he has not received any bids for Town’s top scorer.

Rumours yesterday suggested Rovers had made a £100,000 offer for the 14-goal front man who is out of contract in the summer, and that any deal would hinge on whether a replacement for Paynter could be found before the end of the transfer window.

But Swindon chairman Fitton insists the 25-year-old is “part of our plans going forward” and believes it is best for Paynter to stay put if he wants to become a Championship player.

“You know my attitude to this,” Fitton told the Advertiser.

“Bids are only bids if someone has sent you a fax with a concrete offer, and I have not had one of those for Billy, or any of our players for that matter.

“I’ve heard and read about a lot of clubs who are supposedly interested in Billy, but none of them have got in contact with me.

“Billy is very much part of our plans going forward, and I have never doubted that he wants to stay.

“He has developed a lot at Swindon and this club has been a good place for him to play football.

“Billy Paynter has progressed nicely here, and if he wants to play in the Championship - which I don’t doubt that he does - then he would be better off staying here. Why would Billy want to go to Bristol Rovers?”

Fitton confirmed that a new County Ground contract is on the table for the former Hull City striker, and Paynter admitted discussions are on-going between the chairman and his representatives.

“I believe they are still talking,” he said.

“I’m happy here, I’m trying to do my best and score as many goals as I can for the team, and hopefully it can get sorted out soon.”

And the rumoured Bristol Rovers interest was news to the striker himself.

“That’s the first I’ve heard of it,” Paynter told the Advertiser, when asked about the reported Rovers bid.

“I want to stay here. I believe the club is on a high and going forward. We’re in the play-off spots and hopefully we can stay there.

“I had a hard time at Southend, but feel like I’ve rebuilt myself here. I think I’ve progressed every year and got better, and my goal tally has increased as well.”