NEIL RUDDOCK'S exit from the County Ground would free up extra cash for Andy King's recruitment drive, but the veteran defender remains determined to see out the remainder of his contract.

As exclusively revealed in yesterday's Evening Advertiser, the 34-year-old player-coach has been placed on the transfer list.

Ruddock is believed to make up more than 20 per cent of King's wage budget and the club feel the defender's departure would free up funds to enable other players to be brought in.

Ruddock has not played a first team game since being sent off at Notts County on December 21 last year and has struggled to regain his fitness.

Ruddock is fed up with what he feels is a campaign to blame him for all Swindon Town's problems.

He said: "There are some people who just seem determined to 'have a go' at Neil Ruddock. I read in the Evening Advertiser with total disbelief that the club had placed me on the transfer list.

"Okay, the club has got financial problems and it has been said before that my wages are too good for a second division club, but come on, putting a player on the transfer list without consulting him first.

"I do not want to leave this club. I love it down here.

"The fans are great. I just want to play in the first team and give something back to the fans. I don't drive five hours a day for nothing. I am a coach as well as a player.

"The contract issue keeps being dredged up but I can only repeat what I have already said. There was no gun being held to anyone's head when the deal was put to me."

However, Mark Devlin and the board of directors feel it would be in the best interests of the club if Ruddock was to find alternative employment.

He said: "No one individual is ever more important than the club itself and we feel that it is in the best interests of both the club and Neil Ruddock that he has the opportunity to continue his career elsewhere.

"We believe Neil's wages are hampering attempts to bring in other players. Andy King has a budget and Neil takes up a considerable portion of that, around 20 per cent.

"Andy has made it clear he feels he is short on numbers and obviously we want to help him get the players he wants.

"There is also no escaping the fact that Neil agreed a contract at a time when the club's finances were in a desperate state with youth team mini-buses being repossessed.

"It is a millstone around the club's neck and one that prevents us from moving forward as quickly as we would wish."

Manager Andy King is keen to avoid being dragged into the 'politics' of the issue.

He said: "I have said all along that I have no problem with Neil Ruddock.

"To me, a fit Neil Ruddock is a valuable addition to my squad but he is still short of being fit enough to play. I also accept there is the financial issue."

The club are keen for the Ruddock situation not to sour preparations for the big kick-off.

Devlin said: "This is a matter which needs to be resolved and hopefully it can be done so amicably."

But both sides appear determined to hold their ground over the issue.