AN ICY blast of reality is likely to blow through his confidence-battered squad as head coach Luke Williams scans the horizon for the cavalry to come to the rescue of dismal Swindon Town’s League One campaign.

Boxing Day’s 2-0 reverse at Millwall marked the midway point of a miserable season to date with the chilly outlook of a battle against relegation the distinctly unappetising prospect for the County Ground club between now and May.

At the Den, an 11th reverse in 23 matches merely underlined the simple truth that Town’s squad has not cut the mustard since August and while retaining his belief in trying to improve his players, Williams concedes that January, with the transfer window flung open, is likely to prove a pivotal month in some of their futures.

Chairman Lee Power has already made plain the desire of himself and director of football Tim Sherwood to add new faces to inject some much-needed impetus into the season and the head coach says his current crop are aware of the implications of those moves.

“We’re not here to try and cast aside players that are trying hard, but it’s the reality of what industry we work in,’’ said Williams “It’s an elite sport and if you don’t make the grade, at some point you are cut from the squad and somebody else will take your place.’’ He added: “It’s not a witch hunt.

“We’re not trying to crush people here, we’re trying to help them get to the grade.

“We want them all to get to the grade but, ultimately, if we don’t feel they have, we have to make a decision.’’ The work of Power and Sherwood over the next four weeks or so is likely to be a determining factor in whether Town will end the campaign sitting comfortably in mid-table or facing the prospect of returning to League Two for the first time since the 2011-12 season.

Williams admits those fresh faces are desperately required to help his squad change course.

“We’ve got the chance now to try and bring some players to the football club that can try and help us to adapt and help us to change so that we can combat what we’re coming up against frequently in League One,’’ he added.

“It would be shocking if we didn’t bring anybody in in the window to try and change the fortunes of the team.

“That’s what that window is there for. I’d be amazed if people don’t come into the club, if players don’t come in to change things.’’ A dearth of goals, options of width and some uncompromising bite in both defence and midfield would appear to be the most pressing concerns but Williams added: “I don’t think there is a priority.

“We’re all after the same things in the division, we’re all looking for the outstanding players who can change, whether they be defenders, wingers, strikers or midfield players who play forward (or) midfield players who play defensive.

“We’re all after the same quality players who are realistically available at this level.’’