SWINDON Town have been monitoring Kidderminster Harriers defender Cheyenne Dunkley ahead of the January transfer window.

The Advertiser understands the Robins have sent scouts to watch the 21-year-old in action on several occasions, as the Wiltshire club prepare to strengthen in the new year.

Dunkley, an imposing centre-back, has made 62 appearances for Skrill Premier outfit Harriers since graduating as a trainee in 2012, scoring seven goals in the process.

He is also believed to have been tracked by Town’s League One promotion rivals Peterborough United over recent months.

Swindon manager Mark Cooper is keen to reinforce his defensive line when the window opens on January 1, having missed out on signing Brighton’s Lewis Dunk on loan in September.

Grant Hall and Darren Ward have played every minute of every match this season at the heart of the Town backline, following the sale of Aden Flint to Bristol City and the release of Joe Devera over the summer.

Aaron Oakley, the Wales Under 21 international, is back in full training but has yet to register a professional appearance, while Troy Archibald-Henville is still on the road to match fitness after a knee operation.

Even when Archibald-Henville becomes available to Cooper, however, Swindon will have to deal with the terms of the tribunal payments due to his former club Exeter.

After every 15 appearances the 25-year-old makes for the Robins, a fee of £20,000 will be due to his old side, up to a maximum of 60 run-outs.

Archibald-Henville has so far turned out for Town on eight occasions, scoring one goal.

His last appearance in a Swindon shirt came in the goalless draw with Sheffield United 13 and a half months ago.

The former Tottenham trainee spent a brief spell with Carlisle United earlier this term, during which he exacerbated an existing knee condition, forcing him to go under the knife.

Cooper has previously stated that he expects the defender to be fit in January.

Meanwhile, former Town youth team player Jake Simpson has signed on with Chippenham Town after international clearance was received for his registration.

The son of Swindon favourite Fitzroy Simpson failed to land himself a professional deal at the County Ground last summer.