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Castro link says valuableBy Andy Cryer
JIM Little believes the involvement of football agents at Swindon Town like the Castro brothers could provide a valuable "scouting system" at Paul Sturrock's disposal.
The Town chairman-designate admits since the foreign takeover, the club have been working closer with agents from all over the world in an attempt to broaden their search for new talent.
Little insists Sturrock will still have the final say on his squad, dismissing rumours of pressure being put on the Town chief, but believes the extension to their scouting network has to be beneficial.
Best Holdings SGPS S.A, the club's mysterious new owners, have also categorically stated the Castro Brothers' only involvement with the County Ground outfit is with regard the scouting of players.
Former West Brom midfielder Jordao, a representative for the Castro Brothers, admitted on Monday they were hoping there would be some involvement with the club and Little believes any future dealings together can only be a positive step.
With the transfer window closing on Friday, Town's new man with the reins believes the larger scouting system will bring new options.
The American businessman and former Cork City owner, said: "We work with a lot of agents, including the Castro brothers, the Stellar Group and others. We talk to all of them because we want to look at who is available for Swindon Town.
"Another reason why we do it is because if you work with agents on your behalf it is like a scouting system for you.
"They can find players for you who would otherwise be out of your network and you would not see.
"It does involve a fee, which is a drawback, but the results are worth that.
"Swindon Town does not have a particular scouting system in operation and involving these agents will help that."
The presence of a host of foreign triallists at the County Ground has raised fears among the club's supporters of external pressure on team selection, but Little has reassured everyone Sturrock is still the main man.
He said: "We are trying to give Paul Sturrock all the options. We still have to sit down and ask him whether the team is good enough to win.
"I want to make clear his options because maybe we will have some visibility for players that Paul Sturrock otherwise would not see."
Best Holdings SGPS S.A released an official statement, through the club, yesterday denying any implications that the Castro Brothers have or will have any interest in the takeover of Swindon Town.
It read: "Jordao, who is a representative of the Castro brothers' agency, has introduced two players to the club on trial. That has been the only reason for any contact between the club and Castro brothers business.
"Contrary to reports, no talks have taken place with the Castro brothers and none are planned in relation to the takeover of the club.
"Best Holdings SGPS.S.A are committed to the long-term development of the club both on and off the pitch and further details of their plans will be forthcoming in due course."
Town chief Paul Sturrock insists he welcomes the widening of the net but admits he needs to be convinced about the individuals' capacity to cope with British football.
He said: "I would like to think the players coming in will be from all sorts of countries.
"My decision making has to be whether they will adapt to the British game. Whether they can handle it because I do believe it is the one country that differs from the rest of Europe.
"If someone is coming from a foreign country they have to adapt to us, there is no way anyone will be adapting to them."
8:47am today
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