ALTHOUGH Swindon Town’s promotion prospects will not be defined by Saturday’s trip to Exeter City, Luke Norris is well aware what a statement of intent victory would make.

Town are currently down in ninth in the League Two table, one point behind Coventry City in the last of the play-off spots.

Sixth-placed Exeter currently have a three-point advantage over Swindon, so they cannot afford to lose any additional ground to the Grecians.

Apart from this weekend’s game at St James Park, the only other realistic promotion contender Town have still have to play this term are leaders Accrington Stanley.

However, that game is on the final weekend of the season so Accy could well have already sealed the title by then.

Norris therefore knows the time to strike is now and is keen to follow up last weekend’s 3-1 win at Cambridge United with another good result at Exeter.

“It is a massive game, it is almost a six-pointer. With the way the teams are playing around us, it is a huge game now,” said Norris.

“We have got nine games left and I think this is the only game where we are playing someone in and around us. We can’t afford to lose the game and we will be going there to win.

“If the worst comes to the worst and Exeter come out on top, it is not the end of the world because there are a few play-off spots to go for as well as the top three, so there is still so much to play for.

“It is not all or nothing but it would help us out massively and put is in a really strong position. With the run-in with the games we have got, I think it favours us.

“Wycombe are third, nine points ahead of us, but they have played one game more.

“It is still very, very tight and all you need is two weeks on the spin where results go your way and all of a sudden, you are there.

“It would be nice if it was in our hands and although technically it is not, there is still so much football to play. There are 27 points up for grabs, so it is all down to us.”

Promotion has been the agenda for Town all season, initially under David Flitcroft and now with Brown at the helm to finish the job.

However, Norris revealed that the former Hull City manager has been keen for the players not to get distracted by long-term goals since taking charge early last week.

“We are not allowed to talk about either the play-offs or promotion,” said Norris.

“Since the gaffer has come in, he doesn’t really want to speak about it – the main focus is the next game.

“Last week, all we cared about was Cambridge. This week, all we care about is Exeter.

“We are just knocking them off one at a time, and if we can do it that way and be successful, I think it is the best way.”

Norris was forced to limp off after an hour at Cambridge last weekend after suffering an ankle injury but with boss Brown rating him as 60-40 to recover for the trip to St James Park, the striker is pleased with his recovery.

He said: “It’s okay. The physios were being very cautious and it is always better to be safe than sorry. It has been really good and nice to not have to worry about it.”