SWINDON Town manager Michael Flynn says the club’s latest signing, Benn Ward, is “very, very highly thought of” at parent club Burnley after a loan move for the centre-back was finalised late on Friday night.

Town ended a productive week, in terms of signings, by announcing a season-long loan deal for the 19-year-old defender – hours after confirming they had brought in Tariq Uwakwe on a permanent contract.

Jake Young arrived on a season-long loan from Bradford City on Wednesday, a day before talented centre-back, Udoka Godwin-Malife made Swindon his new home following a spell with Forest Green Rovers.

Following Town’s postponed clash with Colchester United, Swindon’s boss revealed Ward was the ideal next man up after a deal for another unnamed defender fell through recently.

Flynn said: “Benn is very, very highly thought of. He’s aggressive on the ground and in the air. He’s left-footed, and loves to come out with the ball.

“Burnley have been very, very good in that they’ve looked after us with the deal as well, so I’ve got to thank them for that. But I’ve been watching Benn for a while.

“I wasn’t sure if we were going to go down that route because we looking at different targets, but obviously we didn’t agree a deal with one even though we offered a very, very good deal.

“So it was about bringing in what we felt was the next best thing available and fits in with what we’re trying to build. And that’s Benn.”

Ward is yet to make his professional debut after enjoying a successful time as part of Burnley’s Under-18 and U23 set ups, along with time spent in Sussex with Brighton and Hove Albion and home town, Hastings United.

But Flynn believes he can make an instant impact at Swindon, with the Town boss suggesting Ward may not have to wait too long before pulling on a Robins shirt.

Flynn said: “He is versatile because he’s very good with the football, so he fits in what we’re looking for in terms of our style of play and our philosophy. I’m looking forward to working with him.

“He came down on Friday, but unfortunately it was just a bit too late to get the medical done on our side. That was no fault of ours, by the way, but it just wasn’t in time for today.

“But he’ll be in contention for Tuesday [against Peterborough United in the League Cup].”