Ian Holloway is feeling good about the defensive options he has available to him with multiple players returning from injury.

Swindon have been down to the bare bones at the back of late, a multitude of defensive injuries have left them without much cover on the bench and the trio of Tunmise Sobowale, Will Wright, and Ryan Delaney have had to be ever-present.

But there has been positive news for Town as both Joel McGregor and Grant Hall made the trip to Carlisle United at the weekend, even if they were not included in the matchday squad, and Miguel Freckleton is also expected to return this week.

Holloway said of them after Carlisle: “I have got to watch out as there are always little red flags, that is why I didn’t use Joel McGregor or Grant.

“They need another week on the training ground before I risk them and hopefully Miguel will be back with us on Monday.”

With not long left in the transfer window to find any external cover, Holloway said that he feels that his options are in a good place with players returning to fitness.

He said: “You need choices and you need to be able to change things but they have been pedal to the metal ever since I have been here, Tunmise and Will Wright, but they are getting better.

“I think that it is three or four in a row that Will has got man of the match, so it is hardly a stress for them.

“But from a manager’s point of view, from a numbers point of view, from a physical point of view, it is nice to have some other people I can swap them out for and give them a little breather.

“They have all done really well, Ryan is the one that I am more concerned about because he was out for so long.

“I thought that losing Billy [Kirkman] and [George] Cox was a big blow down that left-hand side but this is what a club is all about, having enough support.

“I have no worries about bringing a young one up, long-term it might be too much for them so it is nice to have a selection of other people that I know I can put into this level with Grant and Joel.

“I am in a really nice position where I have got lots of people really confident and wanting to play.”