SKIPPER Oliver Risser is set to sit out tonight’s friendly against Cirencester Town at the Corinium Stadium with Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio keen not to aggravate his injury as the first fixture of the season draws near.

Risser missed last week’s game against Swindon Supermarine after feeling a muscle in his leg tighten during training prior to the match.

He has only recently re-joined the rest of the squad in training but Di Canio is keen to give the Namibia international a little more time to recover.

Goalkeeper Mattia Lanzano may feature after recovering from a rib injury, but left-back Alessandro Cibocchi will not be risked after he limped off against Supermarine just minutes after coming onto the pitch.

Otherwise, Di Canio is set to name his strongest available side as he steps up his preparations for the League Two opener against Crewe a week on Saturday.

“It will not be completely the first squad because Oliver Risser is still a little injured and I do not want to risk him in this game,” he said.

“For Cibo it is better if he rests a bit more. I don’t want to risk him. If he plays it will be a risk because he will challenge for every ball and if he injures himself in the same area again it will take one month for him to be fully fit.”

Di Canio has suggested that now is the time for players to stake their claim for a place in the starting 11, stating that he will keep faith with the same players who take to the field for tonight’s kick-off for the Robins’ final friendly against Reading on Saturday.

The Town boss has made wholesale changes in each of the three friendlies so far to give all the players at his disposal as much game time as possible.

“The starting 11 will be the team that if they keep going as they are will start again against Reading (on Saturday),” added Di Canio.

“This is not the moment to give everyone 45 minutes; it is now the time to prepare the team for the season.

“I prepare everyone the same way on the training pitch but now that we are closer to the start of the season in a game we need to be sure that the players can spend 70-75 minutes so that I can have in my mind the team I want for the first game of the season.”

Tonight’s game kicks off at 7.45pm.