TOWN boss Mark Cooper is pleased with the way his new-look defence is settling in.

Swindon have switched between 3-5-2 and 4-3-3 in most games, but on Tuesday night they stuck to a back four and for the most part kept Port Vale at bay, despite drawing 2-2.

Playing a back four also allows Cooper to get the most out of Nathan Byrne as an attacking force, rather than burdening him with any defensive duty in the wing-back role.

With the way Town play they are always liable to concede goals and that is a something unlikely to change any time soon. Now having had a few games to assess his options Cooper feels a back four is the best way to minimise any damage.

“I think the four at the back suits us, but we’ve got the flexibility to change like the click of a finger,” he told the local media.

“I’m pleased with the way we are shaping up. We’ve got some really good young boys, they’re good lads and they want to learn.

“We’ll only get better I think.

“If we play (like we did on Tuesday night) then we have a chance of winning (at Southeen).”

Off the pitch Glentoran forward Jordan Stewart was in Swindon yesterday for talks with Town, with indications that the Northern Irishman is close to finalising his move to Wiltshire.

However Stewart’s arrival is thought to have no bearing on any potential transfer for Michael Smith.

Town chairman Lee Power said this week that the Geordie striker was still subject of interest, not only from Bransley, but also two other clubs.

Reports in Blackpool yesterday suggested one of those parties is the Tangerines, with Bloomfield Rose boss Neil McDonald revealing he is in talks with a number of players.

Finally on the transfer front Liverpool youngster Ryan Kent, long linked with a move to Town, has been officially listed for loan by the Premier League club.

With a number of Championship clubs, including MK Dons, thought to be monitoring Kent, knowledge of his wider availability could damage Town’s hopes of bringing him in.