Darby bids to settle at Town (From Swindon Advertiser)

Darby bids to settle at Town

8:00am Friday 12th March 2010 in

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TOWN new boy Stephen Darby admits reputations will count for nothing as he bids to help his temporary employers cement a place in the League One play-offs.

The 21-year-old will this morning complete an emergency loan deal from Premier League giants Liverpool until the end of the season, as the relevant paperwork is finalised, and goes straight into Swindon’s squad for tomorrow’s clash at Brighton.

But, despite making two appearances for the Reds in the Champions League this campaign against PSV Eindhoven and Fiorentina, Darby knows he cannot just walk into the line-up because of his parent club, and has to prove he is worthy of a starting spot.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to feature in a couple of the Champions League games and make my starting debut,” explained the full-back yesterday. “That was great experience, so this season has been good for me so far.

“But I just want to play some games and get some experience, so when I got a phone call on Wednesday morning to say that Swindon were interested in taking me on loan there was only one thing in my mind - to get out and come to a good club where I can get that experience.

“I trained with the lads this morning and they all made me feel really welcome.

“There are some good players here though and I’ve got to work just as hard as anyone else to show the manager and the coaching staff what I’m capable of. I’ve got to earn the right to play and cannot just expect to get a game.

“Hopefully I can come here, work hard with all the lads, settle in straight away and help push the team towards a play-off place.”

Darby has swapped daily sessions at Melwood with the likes of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Jamie Carragher for Town’s more modest Wanborough training ground.

And he is relishing the opportunity to be part of a regular matchday squad, with a potentially successful climax to the season.

“It’s a great experience to get the chance to train with those type of players, and it really brings you on,” he said of Liverpool’s superstars.

“But it’s always going to be difficult to break into the first team when you are at one of the top clubs in the world.

“With the world class players they’ve got it is always going to be tough, so to get the chance to get out, play some games and help Swindon push on is really good.

“The team have been on a great run this season and hopefully we can push on in the final stages and get a play-off place.”