JAMES McEveley has revealed that he rejected offers from League One to sign for a Swindon side he believes are a club firmly on the up.

The left-back made the surprise decision on Wednesday to drop two divisions and join on loan until the end of the season from Championship side Barnsley.

McEveley had played almost 30 games for the Tykes this season but lost his place in the side earlier this month to Lee Collins, who joined from Port Vale.

Consequently, the 27-year-old asked to go out on loan in order to play first team football and a number of clubs – including ones in League One – expressed an interest in the defender.

But as soon as Paolo Di Canio made his interest known, McEveley knew there was only one club he wanted to go to.

“There were a few clubs interested but this move appealed to me the most,” McEveley told the Advertiser. “When they said I could be involved in the squad in final at Wembley it is not a bad squad to be in!

“But it is not just that, Swindon are in a great position in the league, the place is buzzing and you just want to be a part of it.

“I could have gone to a League One mid-table team with nothing to play for but I want to come and try and help this side get promotion.

“Paolo Di Canio was obviously a big factor as well, he was one of the greatest players in the Premier League and he is a big character, so I cannot wait to see how he works and work under him.”

Town have adopted a policy recently of bringing in loan players with one eye on something more permanent developing in the summer.

McEveley is out of contract at the end of the season, and the Scotland international admitted he would be open to a long-term deal at the County Ground.

“My contract is up at the end of the season at Barnsley, I don’t know what the gaffer there is planning for next year but he basically said that I won’t be involved from now on.

“You don’t know what will happen but I am happy to come here until the end of the season and if it suits both parties I would definitely be interested.

“I have been here for two days now and I am liking the place a lot.”