DARREN Ward has called for the next manager of Swindon Town to be a disciplinarian as the Robins look to maintain their League One promotion push.

The Town board is understood to have spoken to former Aston Villa assistant manager Kevin MacDonald and ex-Arsenal star Ian Wright about the possibility of joining the club, with an appointment believed to be imminent.

Following the departure of Paolo Di Canio last week, Swindon have taken four points from a possible nine and Ward - who in the interim has been in joint caretaker charge of the club alongside Tommy Miller - thinks a continuation of the rigid work ethic employed by the Italian is the right route to go down.

“Looking at what the lads have responded to so far, we’ve got to look along those lines. The lads have responded to discipline, hard work, a good ethic in terms of working for the cause and plugging away," he said.

“I think a manager would have to understand that no doubt. It’s probably stating the obvious but we’re here for a reason.

“The manager, whoever comes in, will no doubt look at that and I’m sure they’ll make the right move.

“All we can ask is whoever comes in gives everything they’ve got. It’s been a very different season and not many times you’d see a club like ourselves in the position we are when the manager leaves. It’s very different."