Maher left Southend in May after 10 years at Roots Hall (Getty)

Swindon manager Maurice Malpas says he will not be signing out-of-contract midfielder Kevin Maher.

Malpas admits that Town are one of a number of clubs to have held talks with the former Southend player.

The Scot told BBC Radio Swindon that having had no news from Maher, 31, he has decided to move onto other targets.

He said: "They promised to get back to me so I've moved on and will be trying to get somebody else. Just to have no word at all sticks in my throat."

Interview: Swindon Town manager Maurice Malpas

The former Shrimpers' skipper has been heavily linked with Oldham Athletic and Gillingham, where he played seven games in a loan spell at the end of last season

Malpas says Maher has not shown enough desire to move to Wiltshire.

"Players wait and wait to see if they can get the best deal from whoever. I need players that are desperate to come here," he added.