SWINDON Town boss David Flitcroft says he is impressed with defender Matt Preston after watching the 22-year-old develop into an integral part of his squad.

Preston was Flitcroft’s final addition when he agreed a deal to the end of the campaign when arriving on a free transfer in late September following a a season-ending injury to Dion Conroy.

Since his arrival, the former Walsall man has cemented his place in Flitcroft’s starting XI, with the 22-year-old contributing at both ends of the pitch, with two goals in nine appearances.

While the Town manager is delighted with his development on the pitch, he says he has seen some impressive leadership qualities emerge from Preston on the training ground.

“Myself and Futch at times, certainly in the early stages of coming into the football club, have over-led the group but now I am seeing real leaders come to the fore and when they go over the white line, they start leading,” he said.

“That has happened in the last six weeks and we have got a good leadership group who are around the 27 to 28-year-old age.

“It is fantastic and we have got one of the best young leaders I have seen in Matt Preston, he will organise and make sure the structure is right in front of him. I am delighted with watching that leadership group develop in the squad.”

Going into this afternoon’s clash with Chesterfield, Town are enjoying a purple patch of form with five wins on the spin.

The Swindon chief says the club’s professional approach is one of the main factors behind their impressive form of late.

“To win five games at any level is good. We are trying to progress and turn this group into a group that feels winning is emotional and is something that stays with you,” he added.

“On the road, we have been fantastic. We went to Bristol Rovers and did everything right.

“We are staying in the right hotels, we are already planning the next month or six weeks on where we are going and what it looks like for us.

“We are a club that is trying to prepare as professionally as we can and we are seeing that in performances. Certainly, away from home, this group of players have been incredible.”