MATT Heywood has backed Andy King to rebuild a promotion-chasing side in time for the new campaign.

The 25-year-old finalised his move to Bristol City yesterday and is the third player to leave the County Ground this week, hot on the heels of Grant Smith and Brian Howard.

Sammy Igoe, David Duke and Sam Parkin could yet follow, but even if all three pack their bags, Heywood tips renowned bargain hunter King to mould a new team capable of challenging his new employers for promotion.

"At the moment it might look a bit bleak in terms of the size of the squad," said Heywood, who has signed a three-year deal at Ashton Gate.

"But I've no doubt that before the season starts the manager will bring in some very good players for nothing to replace the ones that have gone.

"He's done it many times before. He picked up Sam Parkin for £50,000 and that's peanuts when you look at it now.

"The manager has taken some stick but look at what little money he's had to work with in the past few seasons.

"Yet he's managed to bring in great players for the vast majority of the time and I can see him picking up some good young players that have been released by Premiership clubs.

"My personal aim at Bristol is to finish in the automatic promotion spots.

"Hopefully Swindon will be up there as well and if the manager can bring in some more quality players I'm sure they can be."

Heywood was one of King's transfer success stories having been plucked from Burnley's reserves before making more than 200 appearances for Town.

While fellow City new boy Smith has received plenty of flak on various website forums for swapping Swindon for City, Heywood hopes his sterling service at the County Ground will spare him extensive stick from the boo boys though he does expect some reaction on his return to Wiltshire next season.

"I think the majority of fans will understand my reasons for going," he said.

"No doubt I'll get some stick next season from them but that's part of football.

"As far as I'm concerned I've been at Swindon for four an a half good years and done well for the most part and I think the fans appreciate that.

"I've been honest with my reasons for choosing to leave as well.

"To get offered a three-year-contract and more financial stability is something any person would find difficult to turn down."