SWINDON TOWN returned to training this week with doubts still surrounding the future of manager Mark Cooper and a number of the star players who remain after the summer exodus.

But at least they have settled on a new training facility having agreed a formal deal with Calne Town Council to use the Beversbrook Sports Facility for up to three years.

The contract to use their former training base at Liddington expired and attempts to create a permanent home base of their own in the borough of Swindon have so far failed.

Preliminary talks to use neighbouring clubs’ facilities – including those at Cirencester Town – came to nothing.

The players enjoyed their first session in sweltering heat at Beversbrook.

Manager Mark Cooper supervised the training with rumours that he might be heading for a managerial role at Sheffield Wednesday cooling this week after the appointment of Carlos Carvalhal as head coach.

Last season’s Swindon Town regulars like Massimo Luongo, Ben Gladwin, Andy Williams and Wes Foderingham are no longer on the books, while the loan stars including Jordan Turnbull, Jack Stephens, John Swift, Harry Toffolo, Sam Ricketts and Louis Thompson have all gone back to their parent clubs.

With speculation growing about clubs’ interest in the likes Yaser Kasim, Michael Smith and Nathan Byrne it will be very interesting to see the team Town put out when they begin their pre-season friendlies with the visit to Swindon Supermarine on Tuesday night.

Town's pre-season schedule is still looking rather threadbare but they have at least added a game with Premier League side Everton who will come to the County Ground on Saturday, July 11. Tim Sherwood's Aston Villa are due on Tuesday, July 21.