BEN GLADWIN is becoming a driving force in the Swindon side as he continues to impress on and off the field.

Taken from non-league obscurity, the 22-year-old is starting to find his feet in league football and goalkeeper Wes Foderingham believes he could be a big asset for the club in the future.

Gladwin, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is reportedly close to signing a new deal at the County Ground and has started to show his potential in the last few weeks.

For a long time, manager Mark Cooper has praised the midfielder’s attributes on the training ground, but the former Marlow player has only shown glimpses of his talent to the Town faithful.

Foderingham has backed up his manager’s appraisal of the Gladwin and believes that he will only get better as his confidence improves.

“He is just so smooth. When he has got the ball he is like a Rolls Royce, once he gets going there is no stopping him,” said Foderingham.

“I am sure the gaffer said it as well, but in training he is the best player by a mile every day.

“It’s difficult for him to come from non-league to being on this stage and train and perform and be 10 out of 10 every week, it’s not going to happen like that.

“I think his confidence is growing and once he starts to believe in himself a bit more you’ll see those performances a lot more often.

“I think it is difficult because you are coming into an unknown place and you are not sure if you are good enough, you’re not sure if you actually belong there and all those questions come into your head.

“I was fortunate that I come into a set-up where we had a really strong side and we were playing well as well and the boys helped me through that, and hopefully the boys can do that for Ben as well.”

The midfielder has proven his worth this season slotting into a variety of roles when players have been absent through injury or away on international duty.

His latest role at the weekend against Notts County was at left-back, filling in for the injured Harry Toffolo, and he impressed as he assisted two goals in the straight-forward 3-0 victory.

“I am not sure what the right back at Notts County was doing, giving him that time and space but I am sure he won’t do that again,” joked Foderingham in his press conference.

“I think he is a massive player. I think the potential is there for everybody to see. He has got everything in his locker, he has played out wide, at wing-back and in an advance midfield role and he can do it all.

“I do think his best position is number ten but he can do a job anywhere on the pitch, he is that good.

“We quickly realised what a very good player he was and if he keeps working hard and putting in the performances that he has been then I am sure the only way is up for him.”