Austin signed for Swindon from non-league Poole Town

Swindon Town manager Danny Wilson says that striker Charlie Austin has exceeded all expectations this season.

The 20-year-old was playing non-league football for Poole Town in the Wessex League and working as a bricklayer until he signed for Swindon in October.

Austin has gone on to score 19 goals and make 33 appearances for the Town.

And Wilson told BBC Wiltshire: "We brought Charlie in for the long-term. We thought we might get 10 or 12 games out him."

He had scored 46 goals in as many games during 2008/09 and started this season by scoring 18 times in the first 11 games.

It really surprised us. We thought he would be a lot more nervous Swindon boss Danny Wilson

Swindon then offered him a trial followed by a contract in October 2009.

"He took his chance with both hands," said Wilson. "What he's given us straight away is what a lot of people pay a lot of money for and that's goals.

"He's done it easily, and I don't mean that in a cocky way. He's found the atmosphere and the situation very easy to deal with.

"It really surprised us. We thought he would be a lot more nervous."

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