SWINDON Town head coach Luke Williams has launched a staunch defence of striker Jonathan Obika amid suggestions over his commitment to the club.

Obika has been plagued by injuries this term and has played in only 15 of Town’s 36 games in all competitions, with his latest problem a hamstring injury that has ruled him out of the last three League One fixtures.

The 26-year-old is out of contract at the County Ground at the end of the season and can leave on a free transfer, with chairman Lee Power stating last summer that the former Tottenham Hotspur man did not want to sign a new deal with Town.

Sections of the Swindon fanbase have taken his absence this season as a suggestion that he has given up on the club but Williams says that could not be further from the truth.

“I think anyone who is questioning Jon hasn’t met him yet,” said Williams.

“He is a remarkable man, I can assure you of that. He is one of the most honest people I have met in football and in any walk of life.

“This guy is totally motivated. He has his own performance analyst, which most people probably didn’t know, and he spends a great deal of time discussing his performances and where he thinks he needs to improve.

“He is always the brightest in the room if there is a video session and if we need feedback, it’s always Jon with an input.

“I can’t stress how determined Jon is to be on the pitch for us and if anybody wanted to question me further on that, I will be happy to share many examples of Jon’s commitment to the club.”

Obika has been given ‘an outside chance’ of returning to action in tomorrow’s derby at home to Oxford United, with centre back Lloyd Jones also in contention to play.