Swindon pair Matt Ritchie (left) and Paul Caddis are the two players from one club that Town boss Paul Jewell revealed he had lodged a bid for after yesterday’s game. TWTD has learned that the Blues were represented at Barnet on Tuesday to watch the duo in action for the Robins in a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie.
Ritchie, the subject of a recent £500,000 offer from League One side Bournemouth and who is linked with Reading, Crystal Palace and Sheffield Wednesday in this morning’s tabloids, is a 22-year-old left-footed winger.
Born in Gosport, the 5ft 8in tall wideman began his career with Portsmouth making six starts and four sub appearances for Pompey, while also going out on loan to Dagenham, Notts County and Swindon.
After his second spell at the County Ground, he moved to Wiltshire on a permanent basis in January 2011, signing a deal until the summer of 2013. Swindon’s Player of the Year last season, Ritchie, who can play on either flank but usually the right, has scored nine goals in 29 starts during this campaign.
Speaking after Ritchie netted twice in yesterday's 2-1 win at Rotherham, manager Paolo Di Canio said he wanted to hang on to him if possible: "I told him a few days ago to concentrate on his football here.
"We want to keep him at the club and he is a key part of what we are trying to do. He was fantastic today and he challenged well. His finishes were very cool and I hope he can keep going."
Right-back or right midfielder Caddis, 23, began his career with Celtic, making 10 starts and 14 sub appearances for the Glasgow side and also spending time on loan at Dundee United while at Parkhead. Former Scotland U21 international skipper Caddis joined Swindon for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2010, signing a three-year deal. The 5ft 7in tall Scot's brothers Ryan and Liam play for Ayr United and St Johnstone respectively. Town are unlikely to land the pair, who have built an impressive partnership down Swindon's right, for less than £1.5 million in total, although the clubs are probably discussing a players plus cash deal with Ronan Murray understood to be keen to sign on permanently with the League Two after his loan spell. The Irish U21 international is likely to reduce the Blues’ outlay by around £100,000 with his contract up this summer. In addition to the Swindon pair, Blues boss Jewell revealed that his side had also tabled a third bid and that the club hoped to do the deals by the time they visit Leeds next week. Meanwhile, ex-Blues defender Hermann Hreidarsson has been linked with a move from Portsmouth to Coventry City. Photos: Action Images
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