SWINDON Town boss David Flitcroft is likely to reward those members of his squad who have been patiently waiting for their chance to impress in tonight’s Checkatrade Trophy clash at home to Wycombe Wanderers.

Kyle Knoyle is the only one of Flitcroft’s 17 summer signings yet to make a first-team appearance for the club, while the likes of Kellan Gordon and Kaiyne Woolery have had to make do with regular places on the substitutes bench in recent weeks.

After this evening’s contest with League Two rivals Wycombe, Town then travel to non-league side Dartford in the first round of the FA Cup on Sunday before they face another Checkatrade Trophy game on Wednesday week away at Bristol Rovers.

Having put together a deep squad since his appointment as Swindon boss ahead of the 2017-18 campaign, Flitcroft feels the impending fixtures will allow him to get the best use of everyone.

“I do see it as an opportunity, that is certainly what we have planned. I think it is a great game for us to utilise,” said Flitcroft.

“Some of the players are under where I want them to be in their game time so the games we have got coming up are placed really well.

“The players are putting pressure on all the time. What we have got is competition and when I was at Bury, I probably under did it with the numbers when I look back on it.

“We have got the numbers. We have got the likes of Scott Twine, James Brophy and Tom Smith all out on loan getting ready if we need to call them back, so we have got lads playing and getting the game minutes in.

“It’s coming together and I just hope we have no injuries after Port Vale at the weekend.”

Tonight’s meeting with Wycombe will be the second clash between the two sides in 11 days, with Town having edged to a 1-0 success at home in the league on October 21.

Adebayo Akinfenwa carries the chief threat for Wanderers, having bagged nine goals already this term, although he was rested by Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth for his side’s first Trophy tie.

“They have not got the biggest squad so it will probably be a similar team to what we played against,” said Flitcroft.

“We know how they play, we know how they set up, and I am just hoping the conditions might be a little bit calmer than last time.

“They do play a lot through Ade but we don’t know what team they are going to put out, so it is quite a bit of guess work until we get the team sheet before.”

Town and Wycombe are both without a point in the competition so far, having lost their opening games against West Ham United U21s and Bristol Rovers respectively, so another defeat would likely end their chances of making it through to the knockout stages.

Although Swindon have lofty ambitions in the league this term as well as a good chance at earning progress in the FA Cup this coming weekend, Flitcroft is keen to keep the winning momentum going tonight after back-to-back victories.

“Whatever competition you are in, winning games is important, especially at this football club because it has not done a lot of winning over the last few years,” said Flitcroft.

“One of the first things I said when I came in to the club is that I want a Swindon team that is combative and competitive in every game we play and we are trying to do that.”