ROLLIN Menayese’s arrival will give Swindon Town an added physical presence at the back following his switch from Bristol Rovers on loan, according to manager David Flitcroft.

The 20-year-old central defender was Town’s only incoming on transfer deadline day on Wednesday, signing a temporary deal at the Energy Check County Ground from League One side Rovers until the end of the season.

Meanwhile, John Goddard and James Brophy both headed out of the club after signing permanent deals at Town’s League Two rivals Stevenage and National League outfit Leyton Orient respectively, each for an undisclosed fee.

Central defenders Olly Lancashire, Matt Preston and Chris Robertson have seen plenty of game time of late following Flitcroft’s formation shuffle to a three-man defence.

Right-back Ben Purkiss slotted seamless into one of those roles in place of Robertson in the 1-0 win over Stevenage in League Two on Tuesday night but Flitcroft believes Menayese can now add an extra dimension the Town defence.

“I felt we did need some mobility and Rollin has got size and power. He is different to what we have already got down the centre of the pitch,” said Flitcroft.

“He has been playing reserve games and been playing games in training. He will be ready and fit for purpose as soon as we decide to get him involved.

“I was pleased with the three the other night more than I have been in any other game. I think Lancs down the centre and Purks down the right gave us really good options.

“It was an experiment I wanted to try before the window closed. It worked out really well and we looked so solid and comfy.

“I was delighted with our performance as a three and it gives us really good options now.”

Goddard’s departure comes just 20 months after he first arrived at the club, with Swindon snapping him up from National League side Woking in May 2016.

The 24-year-old played 48 times during his maiden campaign and started the new season in the Town team but has fallen down the pecking order in recent months, having not started a match since early December.

Brophy joined Swindon in the summer of 2015, again from non-league, but was allowed to join Orient on loan earlier this season, with the two clubs now agreeing a permanent transfer.

With the pair seeing their game time restricted at SN1 of late, Flitcroft felt it was only right that they be allowed to move on in an effort to flourish elsewhere.

“You can only have a certain amount in the squad and I am just really glad for the lads that they have both moved on so that they can progress with their careers,” said Flitcroft.

“Johnny was the ultimate professional when he was here but after a change of system and bringing Keshi (Anderson) in, he didn’t fit what I wanted from the football aspect.

“It is only right with someone like Johnny that you can move him on and he can get on with his football. He has worked so hard to get in the league, so it was important that Johnny can go and become the player he wants to be in the league.

“James was at Leyton Orient so it seemed a natural fit but then it was making sure the fee was right, which the chairman took hold of, and it’s worked brilliantly.

“Both deals were right for the club and they have moved on with our blessing.”