JEREL Ifil insists it is great to feel “wanted” again, after revealing he feared for his County Ground future under former boss Maurice Malpas.

With Carlisle coming to town tomorrow, the big centre-back has been guaranteed his first appearance since the home defeat by Huddersfield in the middle of October.

Dropped by Malpas following a series of poor performances and costly errors earlier in the campaign, Ifil was unable to even command a place among the substitutes.

But now back in favour under caretaker manager Dave Byrne, the 26-year-old is determined to prove his critics wrong and cement his place back in the team.

Asked whether if Malpas was still in charge he would still be on the sidelines, Ifil admitted: “I’d have no idea (about my future), that’s how I’d leave it.

“It was two months, and it’s not easy when you train every day and you’re not playing. But you just have to suck it up I suppose.

“There were reasons. Whether you agree with those reasons is up to you, but there were reasons.

“Obviously everyone will have their thoughts on what was happening, but it all boiled down to the fact that I wasn’t playing. Someone else was getting picked and that’s how it was.”

On his return to first team action as a substitute against Leicester City, Ifil received a standing ovation from Town fans in the Arkells Stand when he warmed up along the touchline.

And the former Watford man admitted: “I was chuffed to bits to be honest.

“It’s nice to hear that because sometimes you feel down or you don’t really feel that wanted.

“The first time I was sub the fans showed a bit of appreciation, which felt like the only bit of appreciation at the time.

“It felt really good and it was much appreciated.”

Meanwhile, Town chief executive Nick Watkins confirmed yesterday there is a shortlist of five names for the vacant manager’s position at the County Ground and confirmed former Plymouth and Leicester boss Ian Holloway has applied for the role.

However, sources close to Nottingham Forest denied speculation that Colin Calderwood is set to resign from the City Ground and is being lined up as Swindon’s new boss, insisting the Championship club’s board of directors are willing to give the Scot more time to turn their disappointing season around.