Robins realistic over Austin

Austin: In demand

Swindon chairman Andrew Fitton has conceded the club will have to be realistic over their attempts to keep hold of in-demand striker Charlie Austin.

A host of clubs are believed to be chasing the free-scoring forward with Swindon already turing down bids from Hull City and Reading for the 21-year-old.

The Robins are facing a battle to keep hold of Austin with a number of sides waiting in the wings to pounce for the highly-rated forward before the close of the transfer window.

Fitton would love to see Austin stay at the County Ground, but he admits he would have consider selling him if the right offer came along.

"As a gambling man I would say the likelihood is he will be a Swindon Town player come February 1, but you can never tell," Fitton told the Swindon Advertiser.

Opportunity

"If the right opportunity came about, for him and for the club, we would have to be realistic.

"We've had a meeting with Charlie. It's a meeting that lasted about half an hour during which time we discussed his career and his prospects and the fact I've known him since he was 15 and refereed a game in which he scored a hat-trick.

"The reality is we tried to get him very much focused on playing his football.

"If he plays his football and does his best then the rest will sort itself out."

Reports have suggested Austin has handed in a transfer request in a bid to secure a move away from Swindon, but the club have so far refused to comment on the speculation.