Swindon Town are managing minor fitness concerns for Paul Glatzel and Tom Nichols ahead of a key League Two match this weekend. Manager Ian Holloway confirmed the pair were rested as a precaution following the team's 2-0 defeat to Newport County in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy on Tuesday night.

Holloway made ten changes to his side for that match, describing it as a "training session" with the bigger picture in mind. First-choice goalkeeper Connor Ripley, defenders Stephan Negru and Kaelan Majekodunmi, and top scorer Aaron Drinan were among those given the night off. The wholesale rotation allowed teenagers Lucas Griffiths-Brown and Freddie Hoare to become the club's youngest-ever starters.

Holloway's squad management

Glatzel was originally scheduled to come off the bench but reported feeling tired, prompting Holloway to call up Briel Da Costa for his first senior exposure instead. "I was going to use Glatz, but then he said he felt leggy and tired, so I went, 'Whoa, hang on', so we called up Da Costa instead," the manager explained. Nichols was then substituted after 72 minutes due to a calf issue, a decision Holloway said was influenced by the need to protect the forward for the weekend.

"I could have played a more coherent team, but that would have meant risking them for Saturday," Holloway said.

Focus turns to league action

The careful management comes with Swindon sitting 13th in League Two on 10 points after seven games. Their next fixture is a home match against 21st-placed Accrington Stanley on Saturday, a game seen as vital for building momentum. The midweek loss extended a difficult recent run, with the team having lost four of their last five matches across all competitions.

Holloway will hope a refreshed Drinan, who has 22 goals this season, can lead the line effectively at the County Ground. The manager's clear priority is securing three points in the league, putting the Trophy setback firmly behind them. Swindon Town host Accrington Stanley at the County Ground this Saturday.

The original report is at wiltsglosstandard.co.uk