DANNY Wilson is confident Alan O’Brien’s injury nightmare is firmly behind him, and tipped the Town winger to make a big impact this season.

O’Brien signed arrived at the County Ground in July 2009 from Hibernian with an impressive reputation, but failed to get going down south as his maiden campaign was disrupted by hamstring injury after hamstring injury - making just four starts in the process.

Having received specialist advice over the last few months, the 25-year-old is now fully fit and has started to display the form he is undoubtedly capable of.

A promising performance against Leyton Orient in the Carling Cup was built on at Hartlepool on Saturday, with O’Brien Swindon’s stand-out performer - finally coming up with the product to match the pace.

And while Wilson knows the wide man has to be cautious in his approach to each match, he was delighted to see the Irish international in full stride at the weekend.

“Alan has had a lot of treatment and a lot of specialist help, and he's managing it now – he's fine,” Town’s manager told the Advertiser.

“He was a big threat and can be that for us every week. We'll try and keep him fit, which is the biggest problem because he has got these one or two little problems which he has that are ongoing, and he has to manage them every day. But if he keeps on top of it then he will be a big asset.

“I thought Alan was excellent at Hartlepool. His energy was fantastic and he gave Stevie Haslam a real torrid afternoon.Great energy, great pace - there's still areas in general play which he needs to work on, but what he gives you is that raw pace.

“And if you've not got the pace to combat it, then he can give you a very difficult afternoon. He did very well and kept them on the back foot, particularly as the game wore on.”

Swindon face a tough task in the first round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, having been drawn away at current holders Southampton.

But following their double over the Saints in League One action last season, Wilson believes there is every chance of his side progressing in the competition.

“It is a very, very tough ask,” he said of their draw.

“But we got a couple of good results against them last year, and if we get into the swing of things by the time that game comes round then you never know what could happen.”

Meanwhile, former Town striker Simon Cox made his Premier League debut on Saturday for West Bromwich Albion.

The forward came off the bench in the 67th minute of their 6-0 defeat at Chelsea, but Swindon officials have confirmed the club are not entitled to any money for his appearance. As part of the potential £1.9million deal which took Cox from the County Ground to the Baggies in July 2009, Town will only receive further cash if he appears a fixed number of times in the Premier League.

The club have so far been unable to confirm the appearance figure required.