DAVID Flitcroft will task assistant Ben Futcher with tightening up Swindon Town’s defence after the new manager confirmed that his former number two at Bury will join up with him at the County Ground.

Former central defender Futcher, who made more than 300 Football League appearances during his professional career, spent his later years at the Shakers before joining the club’s coaching staff, eventually being promoted to assistant manager by Flitcroft in 2015.

Upon his official unveiling as boss on Wednesday, Flitcroft stated that being able to bring Futcher with him was a key factor in him taking on the role, with the 36-year-old’s immediate responsibility being to make the team more frugal at the back in the wake of their relegation to League Two.

“Ben is from a footballing background and footballing family and someone I trust implicitly. He’s someone who will benefit the players and the players will respect, and that’s big for me,” said Flitcroft.

“I worked with him closely at Bury and was very successful at Bury with Ben.

“He is six foot seven, a centre half and from a real footballing background. Defensively, he will look at this team out of possession and we will get that right.

“He is graduating with his pro licence so he comes with that qualification, which is something I am massively into – if your staff are qualified and they are good at what they do.

“He is good with people so I am looking forward to Ben getting down here and start grafting.”

Town are also on the lookout for a sports scientist, with Michael Cooper having vacated that post as part of the exodus of previous head coach Luke Williams’ staff in the aftermath of Swindon’s relegation.

Flitcroft says that role will complete his back-room team, complimenting goalkeeping coach Dean Thornton and analyst Alex Seager.

“We are currently going through an interview process with that and doing our due diligence,” said Flitcroft.

“We have got some good candidates but they have got to be the right person. They will have their qualifications but they have got to be able to work with me and my staff and the players, and the players have got to understand what benefit that person can do.

“It will be a key appointment and that’s it then.

“We have got me, Ben, Alex the analyst, who has got a fantastic work ethic and the stuff I have asked him to do, he has been up to all hours to do it, and Dean the goalkeeper coach, who has done a great job.

“We have got good people here, good staff.”