DEFENDER Matt Preston could be in line for his first Swindon Town appearance since mid-February in Saturday's finale to the Sky Bet League Two season against champions Accrington Stanley at the County Ground.

Preston, a free transfer signing by former manager David Flitcroft in September of last year, hasn't featured since the 1-0 victory over Mansfield Town in Wiltshire on February 10, after which he was discovered to have sustained a knee problem.

The centre-back, 22, was initially ruled out for the remainder of the season after scans of the issue, but has been diligently working his way back to fitness behind the scenes in recent weeks.

Town's defensive department has been stretched in recent weeks, with Olly Lancashire among those to be sidelined. The captain was going to see specialist today about possible surgery on a spinal problem that has blighted his second half of the campaign.

On-loan left-back Chris Hussey has only returned to the starting line-up from long-term injury in recent weeks while veteran Chris Robertson has also been out, while Dion Conroy has missed the majority of the campaign after two operations on a knee injury.

Town manager Phil Brown revealed today that Preston is in contention to feature against the champions, but underlined his caution at rushing the player back too soon.

"Matty Preston has trained all week and he's pushing for a start, but we've got to be careful with him,'' said Brown. "Dion Conroy has also trained, but non-contact."

"(Striker) Luke Norris is missing. Chris Robertson is back on the training ground and Olly Lancashire has gone to see a specialist today with a view to an operation."

Brown also revealed that Town had lost the services of midfielder Ollie Banks, who has ended his loan spell and returned to Oldham Athletic

"Ollie Banks won't play on Saturday. He's gone back to his parent club. He opened up and said that the players in the dressing room let me down," added Brown.

"I'm wanting to finish on a high, I want a good performance with the champions in town and John Coleman (Stanley manager) is one I've voted for the LMA Manager of the Year."

"I've been in the game a long time and to win one game out of nine is very disappointing.

"Winning games of football is what the game is all about and that is what the owner will be looking at.

"We've made great strides off the field of play in terms of changing mentality.''