MARK DEVLIN has categorically stated the club is 'not afraid' to win promotion back to Division One and that the new year will see a budget worked out to prepare for such an eventuality.

Players' contracts at the County Ground are structured in such a way that there are incentives for promotion and penalties for relegation.

The club's chief executive, delighted at having successfully agreed a new three-year-sponsorship deal with Nationwide, said: "If we go up then players' salaries go up. If we go down, then so do their salaries.

"We were one of the first clubs to adopt this method.

"So yes, if we win promotion, bonuses will kick in and bigger salaries will have to be paid.

"Maybe there is a thought process out there that we are quite happy in the comfort zone that is Division Two.

"The problem with that theory is that we'll never keep some of our more ambitious players if that's all we want to do."

Devlin insists promotion is desirable and will not see the club heading for financial ruin.

He said: "If we are in Division One then television revenue will go up. I would think the crowds would go up, season ticket numbers go up and, if we can market ourselves correctly, then revenues coming in should help compensate for the greater costs associated with running a First Division club."

Devlin has no wish to tempt fate in any way but he admits that when the time comes in the new year to start looking at budgets for the 2004-5 campaign, the Swindon Town in Division One scenario will be looked at.

He said: "Some time in January and February we will be sitting down and doing all sorts of budgets including season ticket prices.

"The nice 'problem' we'll have if you like is that we'll have to look at our cost base based on staying where we are in Division Two and one based on us gaining promotion.

"I think we have to do that. There's no point getting to April and May and having no plans whatsoever in place.

"Obviously they'll need fine-tuning as you go along but we will need to look at both scenarios."

Sponsorship deals with blue chip companies such as Nationwide certainly help.

Devlin said: "The deal is very, very important.

"We are incredibly grateful that we are able to continue our partnership."

While the Nationwide deal constitutes good news off the pitch, the picture isn't quite so rosy for defender Matt Heywood.

A head wound and a sprained ankle saw him replaced at half-time during the Brentford game.

Town physio Dick Mackey said: "Matt is sore but we should have a clearer idea of where we are at the end of play today.

"He did some work in the pool yesterday and he tends to be a quick healer.

"These things normally take seven to 10 days to heal but I wouldn't rule him out for the weekend just yet."