Swindon looking for younger players, as Robert departs

Swindon Town chairman Lee Power has admitted the club are looking for younger players to invest in the squad, in light of French play-maker Fabian Robert leaving the club after being released.

Many Town fans questioned the move to let Robert move on, following a string of promising performances from the 27-year-old during the latter part of the 2015/16 campaign.

But yesterday the club announced Robert, along with a host of other names including French compatriots Drissa Traore and Jeremy Balmy, would see their time at the County Ground come to an end.

Speaking to BBC Wiltshire, Town chairman Lee Power conceded that the decisions were taken as part of a group, and it was from that the fate of Robert was decided.

"I had a long conversation with Luke and it was just everyone's view really, on the coaching staff, that they wanted to look at young players for next season, and it was something they didn't want to do (extend Robert's deal)," said Power.

The Frenchman moved to Wiltshire last summer following his contract cancellation with Ligue 1 side FC Lorient and, at 27-years-old, Robert stood as one of the older members of the Robins' collectively youthful squad.

"Luke was sitting there with his coaching staff, with Sam Jewell the chief scout and Seamus (sporting director Seamus Brady), just going through everything and he was a player they decided they didn't want to keep," Power elaborated.

"Obviously we have to make them decisions," he added.