THE progress of fringe players and Cheltenham Town were occupying the thoughts of Swindon Town manager David Flitcroft as the League Two season settles down after a hectic spell of six games in 21 days.

Flitcroft’s Tuesday diary was due to feature a full schedule, with morning training involving the players who participated in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Cambridge United followed by a behind-closed-doors fixture with Bristol City for other members of the squad.

The County Ground chief was also finding time to dash up to Gloucestershire to take in Cheltenham Town’s Checkatrade Trophy tie against county rivals Forest Green Rovers, ahead of Town’s league trip to Whaddon Road this weekend.

Midfielder John Goddard made a welcome 30-minute return to action for the first time since the opening day of the season as a second-half substitute in Saturday’s victory and was poised for more pitch time against City, alongside Kyle Knoyle, who has yet to feature since his summer move from West Ham United.

Scott Twine, currently on loan at National League South side Chippenham Town, and young midfielder Tom Smith were also among those set for a run-out.

“Twiney will play half a game so it will give me a chance to check Twiney’s development and Tom Smith and Chris Robertson will play in that,’’ said Flitcroft of the game against Bristol.

“I’m looking forward to Kyle Knoyle playing in that. Really it (the match) has been done for Kyle and Johnny (Goddard), but it’s something I’m trying to do.

“We’ll try and get plenty of behind-closed-doors games so when the lads come in (to the first team) they are ready to go.’’ Goddard battled a niggling foot injury that had kept him sidelined since the opening-day win at Carlisle and Flitcroft was delighted to see the player make an impact in his cameo appearance against the U’s.

“He’s a player that’s been waiting in the wings, he’s disappointed that his injury lasted so long,’’ added the manager.

“(He’s been) a real frustrated figure over the last couple of weeks. It’s no fault of anyone’s that the injury has taken so long but I just felt (against Cambridge) that he could have an impact. He brought a calmness to our play.’’