PAOLO Di Canio has identified ‘one or two targets’ from League Two he would love to bring to Swindon in the summer, as the Town boss already begins his preparations for next season.

Luke Rooney and, most recently, Lee Holmes were signed on the basis of impressing at this level, while Di Canio also tried to recruit Oxford United striker James Constable in January.

A number of other players have also impressed against Town this season, with Cheltenham’s Marlon Pack the standout player in the game between the two sides recently and the midfielder would undoubtedly be a good foil for Simon Ferry in the league above, should Swindon get there.

With the Robins flying at the top of League Two, they are in the fortuitous position of already being able to think about preparations for next season, and interim chairman Jeremy Wray has confirmed he has already discussed potential targets with Di Canio.

“If a player is playing well each week they get recognised, certainly against their opponents on the day,” Wray told the Advertiser.

“Paolo watches all games at this level and the level above and the level above that to ensure that if there is anybody out there who he feels will fit in sensibly for what we are trying to do at the next level, he would certainly mark them down.

“Paolo has mentioned one or two names to me, without them necessarily being firm targets at this stage he is very aware of the players who have impressed him and have the technical ability to add something to the team.

“He is very aware of them, we have got one or two already and it is no secret that if you are planning to move up again you need to carry on improving and we will do that.”

The board’s backing of Di Canio since his appointment has been impressive, but has prompted one or two rival managers and outside observers to claim that Swindon are ‘buying their way out of League Two.’ But Wray refuted such a suggestion, adding: “It simply isn’t true.

“When you take players on loan you are not buying your way out. What you are doing is being meticulous about leaving no stone unturned.

“You don’t want to fall short at the last minute, what would happen if we had one or two key injuries and missed out? It would suddenly look like very poor preparation and management.

“The advantage of the loan market is that we get to see how people gel with the team in the short term, but equally you see whether you can envisage them being part of something going forward.

“Anybody being taken on at this stage is very much with one eye on where we would like to be, and hopefully will be, next year.”