23 September 2008

Swindon restricted to one in one out

MAURICE Malpas has revealed any action for Swindon Town in the ‘emergency’ loan market is strictly subject to a one in, one out, policy.

Blair Sturrock made in a trial appearance for Bournemouth reserves last night as Swindon boss Malpas seeks games for his increased squad – an increase which has already proved its worth but which has created problems at the same time.

Sturrock, who played a big part in Town’s promotion to League One in 2007, has fallen to fifth in the striking pecking order at the County Ground behind Simon Cox, Billy Paynter, Barry Corr and Ben Joyce.

Malpas admitted he “badly needed games”, but did not rule him out of a future with the club. The manager has increased the size of his squad from last season and, while the decision has proved wise given the run of injuries and illness, he is having difficulty ensuring those on the fringes of the first team remain match fit.

“Blair’s been a bit unfortunate, he’s missed a few games and Ben Joyce has jumped in front of him,” said Malpas.

“Hopefully Bournemouth will take him on loan for some period of time and Blair can get his fitness back up and get going again.”

Cherries’ boss Jimmy Quinn asked Sturrock to undergo a trial in last night’s reserve game with Cheltenham Town, which they won 4-1, before determining whether he takes the player on, a decision Malpas described as “the way of the world now”.

He said: “It’s all a bit frustrating that I can’t get some players out on loan. I’m juggling the squad around in terms of the ones who go and play with the reserves because guys need games. It’s important for us to say that a person is available on loan and when the manager asks me if he’s been playing I don’t say ‘no, he hasn’t played since the start of the season’.

The problem becomes all the more pressing with the revelation from Malpas that: “There’s nobody coming in until we get people out.”

Corr and Jerel Ifil were in action for Swindon reserves last night in their 2-0 defeat against Exeter.

Corr made his return to the first team on Saturday with a second-half substitute appearance against Stockport and is pressing for his first start of the season while Ifil is looking to bounce back from being dropped following the loss to Leeds.

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