MARK DEVLIN is confident that Andy King's new contract will be signed, sealed and delivered by the time Town entertain Sheffield Wednesday on August 9.

The club's chief executive said a hectic period of activity at the club had not allowed both men to formalise their verbal agreement.

Although the exact nature of the contract is confidential it is thought a deal has been drawn up to extend King's stay by at least two years.

Devlin said: "It's important for Andy to go into the season knowing that he is not in a position where his contract expires halfway through the season.

"But with everything that's been going on this summer, there just hasn't been the opportunity to finalise everything.

"We are looking forward to the new season with Andy in charge and I know he's very happy with the players he's been able to bring in.

"There is a little bit left in the kitty for loan players as well."

The squad pulled on their Town shirts for the first time in a glorified training session with Gravesend and Northfleet this morning.

And Devlin said increased 'sightings' of people wandering around Swindon in Town shirts gave him a sense of optimism and the belief that fans felt the County Ground ship was slowly being steadied and gradually steered back on a less treacherous course.

He said: "Kit sales are going well and I find it heartening to see more people wearing Swindon shirts.

"Maybe it shows there is a sense of renewed pride out there. Hopefully supporters are buying into a sense of optimism."

On his arrival at the club last year, Devlin said he wanted to see an end to the days where youngsters attending courses at the club wore Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal shirts.

He said: "I have to keep stressing that there is still a long, long way to go but a lot of people are working very hard at this club to build a stable future for Swindon Town."

Town have been linked with former Dundee United striker Jim Hamilton.

Meanwhile the pre-season encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers at the County Ground on Wednesday kicks off at 7.30pm.

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