SWINDON Town manager Richie Wellens does not believe Kaiyne Woolery’s move to Tranmere Rovers was a good one for the player.

Speaking on Wednesday, following the winger’s move to the League Two club earlier this week, Wellens refused to criticise the character of last season’s most prolific assistant – instead, pondering whether advice from elsewhere turned Woolery’s head away from making the best decision possible.

The Town boss revealed conversations he had with the former Forest Green Rovers man over the summer in which he explained a move to the top of League One was a realistic possibility in the future should he re-sign at the County Ground.

Yet, following the confirmation that Woolery had arrived at Prenton Park, Wellens felt compelled to give his thoughts on the move.

The Town boss said: “We knew that Kaiyne had always had Tranmere in the back of his mind as a possible move, but I’ll only speak highly of him.

“He was a brilliant kid, I loved him in the changing room last year and he was a big part of what we achieved whenever he played.

“But I don’t think it’s a great move for him.

“He’s moved down a level, and I said to him over the summer: “if you reach your peak next season, you’ll be playing against teams like Sunderland and Ipswich.

“One of these teams might sign you and then all of a sudden, your potential to earn increases massively.

“So I don’t think it’s a good move for him.”

Wellens insisted Woolery did want to stay at Swindon and the winger was waiting for the club to match an offer he felt he deserved.

However, now that Woolery has signed elsewhere, the Town boss has already turned his attention to a replacement.

Former Plymouth Argyle striker Joel Grant has been training with the club all week, and has impressed Wellens considerably during his time at Beversbrook.

Wellens said: “He has been very, very impressive this week.

“Ryan Lowe played him as a number nine with somebody else alongside at Plymouth last year, but we don’t really see him as a nine.

“In terms of being a 10 or a wide man, he would suit our system a little bit more than he would at Plymouth.

“I have to say, I’ve been really impressed with him in training, so that’s something that we might look to do.”