BRIAN HOWARD was poised to agree a move to the County Ground today after the club's chief executive assured Andy King that the money is in place to finance the deal.

The Town boss has been very impressed with the 20-year-old during his trial spell at the club but could not follow up his interest without getting the nod from the man controlling the purse strings.

That man is Mark Devlin and he is adamant that King can accommodate the 20-year-old, released by Southampton at the end of last season, without overstretching the club's coffers.

The pair discussed Howard at the club's official golf day yesterday and the transfer wheels were swiftly put into motion.

Devlin said: "Talks have taken place between the player's agent and the club.

"As of 5.30pm on Monday night, the position was that Brian's agent wanted a look at the player's contract but seemed hopeful that a deal could be completed today.

"We are all aware of what is left in the player budget kitty and while a fair chunk of that has obviously been used up, Brian Howard's wage deal fits within the structure we have in place.

"Clearly the more we spend now, the less is going to be there later on.

"The fans can play their part in that regard of course as if our gates are consistently above the level we have based our budget on for the season, it may be that Andy will find a little extra available later on in the season.

"But as for the present, Brian Howard is clearly an exciting young player and we are hopeful that his career will flourish here at Swindon Town."

If the youngster, who looks set to reject Chelsea in favour of a move to Wiltshire, completes his move, he will be the seventh new face in the camp.

Some supporters, while pleased with the acquisitions, have expressed concern that the club might be splashing cash it simply does not have.

Devlin said: "I want to assure supporters that this club is no longer in the business of spending money that it does not have.

"As I have said, there is a players' budget in place and everyone we have brought in fits within it.

"As a board, we are delighted with the way things have gone in terms of new players and everyone is now looking forward to seeing the new faces in action against Wolves tomorrow night."