BEN Gladwin admitted that he is unsure over his best role in the Town midfield.

The 21-year-old came on and played a deeper role on Saturday against Bristol City as Town mounted a backs-to-the-wall defence following Alex Pritchard’s second-half red card.

It was another new position for Gladwin who has also been used out-wide and centrally supporting the strikers. The former Marlow man grew up playing in a deeper more traditional midfield role but as a non-league player he was used a number 10.

It was his form in that position persuaded Town to give Gladwin his shot at professional football, after he scored seven goals in 15 league games for Marlow at the start of the season.

Town boss Mark Cooper used Gladwin to good effect out wide in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy semi-final first leg and then behind the striker as Swindon were overrun at Leyton Orient. That change in role is perplexing the young midfielder on what is his best position is.

“It’s probably something (my best position) I’m a little bit confused on at the moment. I like playing as a 10 behind the strikers, and trying to get on it and drive past people. But I think the gaffer quite liked me playing out wide, so there’s a few bits in training I’ve asked to work on to improve out there,” said Gladwin.

Asked whether he had enjoyed playing in wider positions previously Gladwin responded: “The defenders weren’t quite as good there (at non-league level) you can get the chance to beat people and put in crosses which is fun.”

The Town midfielder is hoping for a start this weekend against Preston North End at the County Ground. With Swindon almost certainly safe from relegation and little chance of making the play-offs the rest of the season could be an opportunity to give game-time to players like Gladwin who are on the fringes on the starting XI.

Gladwin knows that any spot in the first team must be earned.

“We’ll have to wait and see (if I start) obviously I always try my best in training, the gaffer’s the one that picks the team, I can only try my best to try and persuade him through my actions in training.”

Regardless of whether or not he plays Gladwin does think that Town’s experience last Saturday will steel them as a group going forward.

“After Saturday things will come together because the belief between the players has really lifted and we’re looking forward to the game.”