Williams hoping to see skipper back before Christmas

Town captain Nathan Thompson has been sidelined since injuring his right hamstring in Swindon’s FA Cup first-round draw at Eastleigh on November 4 but the 26-year-old is creeping closer and closer to making a return to action.

Thompson’s injury has been a recurrence of the same problem that forced him to limp out of the 2014-15 League One Play-off final, but he would return to bolster a Town back line that has conceded 12 times in the last five games.

When asked if his skipper would be back on the pitch within the coming weeks, Williams, who also currently has fitness doubts over Yaser Kasim, James Brophy and Bradley Barry, said: “My thoughts are that we will because I know Nathan’s so driven and he’s such a good healer.

“He’s a very good athlete and he’ll be doing every single thing he possibly can to get back on the pitch, as will all the boys.

“That’s not to say that the all the other boys will not but Nathan’s got that bit more experience and probably can push himself without being too conscious and panicking.

“It’s often a thing with players when they’re injured that they push and they feel something, and it’s a worry that you’re going to redo an injury or make it worse, but Nathan knows his body and he’ll know exactly how hard he can push, and I’m sure he’s going to be on the pitch before Christmas.”

Williams is also in little doubt of how big an impact Thompson’s potential return would have on the rest of Town’s squad.

The Swindon head coach added: “I look up to him as well – he’s that strong a character and that strong a leader, and such a fantastic footballer.

“So with such a young group, it’s a great feeling to know that you’ve got Nathan there.

“Once you’re at the side of the pitch and you can no longer really help the players, it’s great to know that players that are going to be in the thick of it; he’ll be giving them information and settling people down.”