THEO Robinson and Kyle Bennett will return to their respective clubs for pre-season training, but Richie Wellens is confident both players can reach an agreement to extend their service at Swindon Town.

The pair were two of Richie Wellens’ three signings on deadline day in January, both joining on loan deals lasting until the end of the 2018-19 season.

Robinson has since returned to Southend United while Bennett is back training with Bristol Rovers.

But the Town boss hopes regular dialogue with their current clubs throughout pre-season can help speed up the negotiation phase – and potentially bring both men back to the County Ground in time for Town’s opening day visit to Scunthorpe.

“They (Robinson and Bennett) returned to their clubs and will have dialogue with their managers, I think that will help things move along quickly,” said Wellens.

“It’s difficult when players are away on holiday, because there is no dialogue with their manager.

“Hopefully we can come to an agreement in the next couple of weeks.

“Both players gave us a boost. And with a good pre-season behind them, they can only be better.”

Meanwhile, Town’s pre-season preparations continued at the Beversbrook Sports Facility yesterday morning – with Wellens and Hunt leading a full training session on grass.

Several trialists were present, while Jermaine McGlashan and Joe Romanski returned from their respective loan deals with Wrexham and Bath City.

This season marks Wellens’ first full campaign as a manager, and he’s relishing the task in front of him.

He said: “The facilities and equipment Southampton University are excellent.

“We will complete a period of training and head back to Southampton soon to see how the players have improved, and to identify which players need more work.

“It’s my first time as a manager on the first day of pre-season. This will be a good pre-season because there are many players that have left, which has allowed us to complete two or three more signings.

“We’ve made good strides, and we’ll enter the season confident – looking like a proper team.

“I’m very confident we’ll be strong next year if we can fill those three or four attacking positions successfully.”