SWINDON Town head coach Luke Williams is not underestimating the threat facing his side at the County Ground this evening after lavishing praise on Rochdale manager Keith Hill for his work at Spotland in recent seasons.

While Swindon head into the game looking to avoid a fifth consecutive home defeat in the league, Rochdale are enjoying contrasting fortunes as they are currently on a run of seven straight wins in all competitions.

Rochdale now sit fourth in the League One table but Williams is not surprised by their lofty standing under the guiding hand of Hill.

“They will be a huge test,” he told BBC Wiltshire.

“I think they have been growing as a club and Keith Hill is outstanding and he is very capable of changing the formation and tweaking the tactics and he has got players that have been with him for a while and know what to expect.

“He has tried to bring players in to strengthen so I am not at all surprised with how good they are.

“The set-up, the staff and keeping hold of their key players is helping them now have a very good run.”

Full-back Bradley Barry could be in contention for a starting spot at the County Ground tonight, having been handed a brief cameo in Saturday’s draw at AFC Wimbledon.

Having not featured since the 2-1 home defeat to Bury, the 21-year-old was an 83rd-minute sub at Kingsmeadow as he continues his return from a knee and hamstring injury.

While Barry is still lacking match fitness, it won’t be long before Williams is considering the defender for a starting role, with defensive options still a cause for concern with Raphael Branco suspended and Lloyd Jones - whose rehabilitation is continuing back at parent club Liverpool - and Jamie Sendles-White both injured.

“He is not quite fully match fit but it was very encouraging to see him back on the pitch,” added the Town chief.

“You know exactly what you are going to get with Bradley, he is going to give you every single ounce.

“When he is fully fit he will be back in contention to play and that will be another important player back in the squad.”

Swindon will be without the services of Yaser Kasim this evening as he serves a one-game ban after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season on Saturday.

Barry and Conor Thomas are both one yellow card away from a one-match suspension with four yellow cards each to their name.

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