Swindon Town face a short-term selection headache after a run of injuries has thinned Ian Holloway's squad, with the manager making clear he wants to bolster numbers before the season begins. Holloway told reporters he hopes to bring in additional players — “four or five” in his words — and may complete signings ahead of Saturday's planned friendly at the County Ground against Forest Green Rovers.
Injuries deplete an already stretched squad
The club's recent 2-1 victory over Leyton Orient brought positives on the pitch but also fresh concerns off it. Two players were forced off for injury during the match: Mitch Clark, who felt a hamstring problem, and Gavin Kilkenny, who left on crutches after sustaining an ankle injury in a tackle involving Joseph Olowu. Those setbacks contribute to a wider injury list that Holloway says now stands at eight, leaving the manager worried about squad depth ahead of the Championship fixture with Cardiff.
“I would be very disappointed if we didn’t get people in before Cardiff, and if I can, I will probably get some before Saturday, because of how everyone is hanging on there.”
Holloway was measured but candid about the work required. He emphasised the need to recruit players with specific skillsets he deems necessary and to respect current squad members by not publicly detailing those exact requirements. He added that transfers will be influenced by the funds available to the club.
What the manager says he needs
While refusing to outline precise positions, Holloway said he is seeking enough reinforcements to ensure "strength in depth" so the team can cope when multiple players are unavailable. He said recent matches have highlighted both encouraging signs and areas that will require recruitment to address.
- Immediate aim: sign players before the friendly against Forest Green Rovers, if possible.
- Target number: about four or five new arrivals to cover depth concerns.
- Constraints: recruitment dependent on available spending and the right skillsets.
Known injury list
| Player | Issue |
|---|---|
| Mitch Clark | Hamstring concern |
| Gavin Kilkenny | Ankle injury (left on crutches) |
Holloway also used the recent friendlies as an assessment tool, giving playing time to different personnel and watching how the squad responds to tactical demands. He acknowledged good performances from some players but reiterated that the current group is not yet strong enough for his ambitions.
Supporters will be watching transfer news closely over the coming days for confirmation of any new signings. If Holloway is able to bring in reinforcements before the final friendly this weekend, it could ease immediate selection pressures and provide a clearer picture of the squad heading into the competitive season.
