Swindon Town

Williams to look for new recruits
Swindon caretaker boss Ady Williams is hoping to bolster his injury-hit squad after being forced to dip into the youth team, reports BBC Radio Swindon. He was forced to register teenagers Chris Allen and Mustapha Carayol with the Football League last week. The pair were given first-team squad numbers and withdrawn from Saturday's youth game - although they were not eventually needed for the senior team. Midfielder Curtis Weston also faces a ban after collecting five yellow cards.

Nijholt keen on Swindon boss post
Former Swindon midfielder Luc Nijholt has revealed he has applied to succeed Dennis Wise as the Robins' manager. Dutchman Nijholt played for Swindon between 1993 and 1995 and was assistant to Luis Van Gaal at AZ Alkmaar, who reached the 2005 Uefa Cup semi-final. \"My agent has put my name forward and now I am waiting to hear,\" he said. \"I have some great memories of Swindon. The fans were always brilliant, the ground was always sold out and I would love to return as manager.\"

Swindon v Hereford
Swindon have Christian Roberts back after missing four games with a knee injury, while on-loan keeper Andy Lonergan goes straight into the squad. Jerel Ifil returns to contention after serving his one-match suspension and rivals Andy Nicholas for a place. Hereford are likely to field an unchanged team at the County Ground as they attempt to extend a winning run. Defenders Martyn Giles, Simon Travis and Trent McClenahan are all expected to miss out.

Swindon expected to name Sturrock
Swindon Town are expected to name Paul Sturrock as their new manager this week, reports BBC Radio Swindon. The former Sheffield Wednesday boss could be unveiled as early as Tuesday if negotiations are concluded. Sturrock is set to be accompanied by coaches Kevin Summerfield and John Blackley, who have both served under him at previous clubs. Skipper Ady Williams has been in caretaker charge of the Robins since former boss Dennis Wise left for Leeds. Sturrock, who won 20 caps for Scotland as a player, has also previously managed St Johnstone, Dundee United, Plymouth and Southampton. He was sacked by Wednesday in October, less than a month after signing a new contract.

Sturrock takes charge at Swindon
Swindon Town have appointed former Sheffield Wednesday boss Paul Sturrock as their new manager. The 50-year-old Scot is accompanied by assistant manager Kevin Summerfield and defensive coach John Blackley, who have served under him at previous clubs. It means head of youth and scouting director David Tuttle and Under-18 coach David Lee are leaving Swindon. Sturrock has signed a four-year deal, and is already plotting a promotion push back to League One this season. \"League Two is very competitive but myself and my coaching staff know what it takes to get out of the division,\" he said. Sturrock led Plymouth to the League Two (then known as Division Three) title in 2002, and he added: \"We have a formula and we want success. \"You can't get success overnight but Swindon is a big club and we would like to think that we can start climbing the leagues straight away. \"There will be changes. I have seen the players this morning and first impressions are very important to me. \"But if I bring players in, they have to be able to hold their own in League One. There is no good bringing players in, getting promotion then having another overhaul.\" Skipper Ady Williams had been in caretaker charge of the Robins since former boss Dennis Wise left for Leeds. Sturrock has had previous managerial spells at St Johnstone, Dundee United, Plymouth and Southampton. He was sacked by the Owls in October, less than a month after signing a new contract.

Swindon v Carlisle
New Swindon boss Paul Sturrock has doubts over the fitness of top-scorer Lee Peacock (illness) and defender Jamie Vincent (hamstring). Phil Smith will play in goal as Preston do not want on-loan keeper Andy Lonergan to become cup-tied, but Curtis Weston is available after suspension. Carlisle midfielder Paul Thirlwell is a big doubt with a groin problem. But striker Karl Hawley came through his comeback game last weekend without problem following a rib injury.

Sturrock in hint over loan move
New Swindon boss Paul Sturrock has hinted that he may enter the transfer market again before the weekend. Sturrock has recently signed free agent Sofiene Zaaboub, loaned striker Fola Onibuje, and recalled two youngsters from their loan spells at Basingstoke. \"I have seen most of the players in action now, but the loan situation is something I am still monitoring,\" Sturrock told his club's website. \"I will be at more games over the next day or so.\"

Swindon players must prove worth
Lee Peacock knows Swindon's players must prove themselves to new manager Paul Sturrock - or face being sold. The striker played under Sturrock at Sheffield Wednesday, but was sold to Swindon by him last January. Peacock told BBC Radio Swindon: \"When he (Sturrock) came to Sheffield, everyone was on a month's trial. You've got to go out there and prove yourself. \"No doubt he'll look to bring in a few faces - you've just got to accept that and battle for your place.\"

Swindon v Bury
Swindon will be without midfield duo Paul Evans (knee) and Michael Pook (suspension) for the game. Their absence could see on-loan Fulham youngster Michael Timlin starting, while Jamie Vincent has returned to training and could force his way back. Bury have new loan signings Matt Blinkhorn, Stephen Turnbull and Andy Warrington available. On-loan Manchester City keeper Kasper Schmeichel plays his last game before returning to Eastlands.

Swindon boss Sturrock signs son
Swindon manager Paul Sturrock has signed his son Blair, who was a free agent, on non-contract terms after losing several strikers to injury. Sturrock junior, 25, who left Rochdale in the summer, had been training with Town and played in two reserve games. He was an unused substitute for the Robins at Walsall on Saturday. Boss Sturrock told Swindon's website: \"We registered Blair through necessity. Hopefully we can get him fit and then see what he has to offer us here.\" Blair Sturrock has made over 150 appearances in spells with Dundee United, Brechin City, Plymouth - where he played under his father, Kidderminster and Rochdale. However, the Scot has been without a club since leaving Dale, although he had a trial with Wrexham in July.

Whalley poised to leave Swindon
Swindon Town midfielder Gareth Whalley looks set to leave the County Ground when the January transfer window opens. Whalley, 32, has not featured in a league game this season and does not figure in boss Paul Sturrock's plans. Sturrock told his club's website: \"At his age he wants to be playing games regularly and I don't think that chance will be happening here. \"We will sit down with him but I would think it's fair to say that he has played his last game for us.\" Whalley joined the Robins from Wigan in the summer of 2005, but has made just 29 senior appearances for them. He has also played for Crewe, Bradford and Cardiff before joining Wigan in September 2004.

Swindon v Bristol Rovers
Swindon striker Royce Brownli will have a late fitness test as he looks to shake off a leg injury - and is likely to be on the bench if he is fit. Fellow frontman Lee Peacock (shoulder) and midfielder Andy Caton (hamstring) are also ruled out. Loan striker Stuart Nicholson returns to the Bristol Rovers squad after being ineligible for Tuesday's FA Cup second round replay win over Bournemouth. Craig Hinton replaces the suspended Byron Anthony in defence.

Swindon 2-1 Wycombe
Swindon got their promotion challenge back on track with a narrow victory. Lucas Jutkiewicz put Swindon ahead on half time when Christian Roberts crossed to the far post for the 17-year-old to head past Jamie Young. Lee Peacock headed in the second from a pin-point Michael Timlin free-kick after Jutkiewicz was fouled. Wycombe hit back to set up a nervy last 10 minutes when Kevin Betsy laid the ball into Jermaine Easter's path for him to smash past Phil Smith. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Swindon: Phil Smith, Jack Smith, Vincent, Ifil, Williams, Peacock, Zaaboub, Pook, Timlin, Roberts (Sturrock 88), Jutkiewicz (Shakes 82). Subs Not Used: Stewart, Brown, Nicholas. Booked: Jack Smith, Zaaboub. Goals: Jutkiewicz 45, Peacock 53. Wycombe: Young, Martin, O'Halloran, Antwi, Williamson, Betsy, Grant (Anya 86), Bloomfield, Oakes, Easter, Mooney. Subs Not Used: Christon, Palmer, Dixon, Stonebridge. Booked: Williamson, Easter. Goals: Easter 81. Att: 8,878 Ref: K Wright (Cambridgeshire).

MK Dons v Swindon
MK Dons have no new injury worries ahead of the clash with Swindon. Gary Smith made another short appearance off the bench as he continues his rehabilitation from a long-term knee injury. Swindon boss Paul Sturrock will hope Lee Peacock recovers from his dead leg in time to face MK Dons. Paul Evans and Curtis Weston remain sidelined for the Robins, while Sturrock said he would be allowing Leigh Henry and David Stroud to leave.

Defender Vincent out for a month
Swindon defender Jamie Vincent has been ruled out for a month after an X-ray revealed he has a fractured cheekbone. The 31-year-old suffered the injury during Saturday's win over Wrexham when he was involved in a clash of heads. Despite that second-half incident, Vincent finished the match but went to hospital that evening to assess the extent of the damage. And it was confirmed that Vincent would require surgery in order to repair his left cheekbone.

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