SWINDON Town’s joint caretaker managers Tommy Miller and Darren Ward will return the captaincy of the club to Alan McCormack.

McCormack was stripped of the armband by the Robins’ former boss Paolo Di Canio on Saturday after the Italian took exception to the defender missing training to go to his doctor for a check-up.

The Advertiser understands the Irishman, who had been suffering with flu for several days, was sent home from Liddington last Friday because of illness and chose to seek a diagnosis before meeting up with the rest of the squad.

Simon Ferry was named as skipper for the 3-1 victory at Tranmere in League One on Tuesday but Miller has revealed that McCormack will lead the team out when they entertain Preston at the County Ground this weekend.

“Alan McCormack is going to be our captain. We see no reason to change it,” he said. “There was an issue regarding Alan and Paolo last week which resulted in Alan getting the armband taken away from him but Alan is going to be our captain.

“He’s been captain all season and we feel he is the right man to lead us on, whether it be for one game, two games or the rest of the season.”

Miller and Ward are hoping to bring in extra help ahead of the visit of Preston. Miller has been studying for his UEFA B coaching badge but has yet to achieve it.

The club’s youth academy has three men capable of filling that role in Paul Bodin, Jeremy Newton and former Hereford manager Jamie Pitman but Swindon may recruit from outside on an interim basis.

Miller said: “The mood has been good. We’re both in the team so we have had to step out a bit and look at it so ideally it would be nice to have someone in who could come in to help out.”

Meanwhile, Michael Peacock has been appointed as Swindon Town’s interim fitness and conditioning coach.

The 28-year old has experience in a variety of sports and has spent time with League One outfit Leyton Orient.