MASSIMO Luongo has admitted that the speculation regarding his future and the response from the fans has been playing on his mind.

Luongo has been linked with moves to Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa, where Town chairman Lee Power’s good friend Tim Sherwood is now in charge, since January.

Some sections of the Town support have not taken too kindly to the Australian international’s honesty about his ambitions for a move to a bigger club next season, with the 22-year-old receiving criticism on social media for a perceived lack of effort.

Speaking to Aussie outlet SBS Luongo revealed the uncertainty over his future is troubling him.

“It (the speculation) has all been playing on my mind a little bit and I just have to force myself not to worry about it," said Luongo.

“I need to fully focus on Swindon and do my bit in hopefully three matches that will get us promoted.

“It has all been a distraction to some extent. I do my best not to think about it but it's human nature to ponder over these things when you are alone and think about the future.

"Some fans have been criticising me a bit for my performances (of late) but I always do my best in every game.

"In truth, for a few months now we haven’t been that convincing as a team and haven’t really been doing what we are good at and it's been difficult as a team to get going.

“It doesn’t really get to me. I learn from it and just move on really. A lot of them have been really supportive throughout the season.”

With Town’s play-off semi-finals against Sheffield United now confirmed Luongo is looking forward to playing his part in another big game in a year where’s enjoyed his fair share of high-pressure scenarios.

“I like to be a driving force in getting the team going forward and I think come Thursday I will be able to do that in a heated match because I will be coming in fresh," he added.

“It was always my hope that we’d play Sheffield Untied because traditionally we don’t win at Bramall Lane and they don’t do well at the County Ground, so something will have to be give and it will be exciting.

“There might be a sell out crowd and the atmosphere is going to be buzzing."