TARGET Robbie Williams was having further talks with Town today as manager Andy Ritchie stepped up squad preparations for the upcoming pre-season kick-off.

The 22-year-old was attempting to sort fine detail on his personal terms with Galpharm vice-chairman Andrew Watson with Ritchie hoping the deal will be concluded “as quickly as possible”.

While the squad have been on heart and lung monitors as part of a fitness programme masterminded by Ed Baranowski – Andy Booth among those being put through their paces in outlandish masks – Ritchie is eager for left-sided Williams to be a Town player by the time they head to the Welfare Ground on Wednesday to face AFC Emley (7.30).

“The basis of Robbie’s contract is definitely agreed, but there are one or two things which need sorting,” said Ritchie today.

“I have spoken to Robbie and to his agent, Phil Goldman, but there is no point me being a middle man when they are asking things I can’t give an answer to, so I’ve passed it on to Andrew to finalise.

“I’m confident it will be done because Robbie wants to come and play here and we know what a good signing he’ll be for the club.

“He’s a terrific character to have around the club and, even though he’s only young, people will feed off him because he’s so bright and bubbly.

“We are not a million miles away on the agreement and, when it’s done, we’ll have a player who is versatile enough to play anywhere in a crisis.”

Town’s training has continued to go well, although Malvin Kamara has suffered a sore Achilles.

Tom Clarke is now back with the full squad after resting his painful knee during the week.