Dan Butler has called on Swindon Town's fit players to train aggressively and stick together to handle a deepening injury crisis. Up to nine players could be unavailable for this weekend's home match against Walsall, compounding a five-game winless streak.

Butler, the specialist left-back who has started every game since joining the club, said the only way through the situation is to work even harder. "That is how you build durability: training properly, training aggressively, and it being as close to a game as it can be," he said. He dismissed any suggestion of players holding back in training, insisting the opposite approach is required.

Scale of the crisis

A total of 21 different Swindon Town players have suffered injuries this season, a figure that has severely impacted their League Two campaign. The club's recent form has slumped to zero wins in five matches, a run that has seen them drop to 17th in the table with just 11 points from 10 games. Their last outing was a 1-0 home defeat to Crewe Alexandra on 10 October.

Butler emphasised the importance of squad unity during this challenging period. "It is a bit crazy the amount of injuries that we have had, but that is football," he said. "You just have to stick together, and there will be a time when most people are fit, and things will look a bit more positive." He added that fit players must support their injured teammates, keeping them involved while focusing on their own recovery protocols like sleep, nutrition, and extra work.

Pressure of poor form

The injury woes have arrived during a difficult spell on the pitch. Swindon's recent form reads LLDLL, with four defeats and one draw from their last five league matches. They have scored just nine goals all season while conceding 14, leaving them eight points adrift of the automatic promotion places. The full standings show the size of the task ahead.

Butler believes the solution lies in relentless effort from the available group. "It is just about working hard; believe it or not, injuries are sometimes caused by working too hard, but then the best way to fix them is by working hard," he explained. The immediate focus is on preparing for the visit of sixth-placed Walsall to the County Ground this Saturday. Butler's message is clear: the fit players must be ready to step up and end the winless run, starting with that key fixture.

The original report is at swindonadvertiser.co.uk