NATHAN Byrne will return to the Swindon Town squad for the visit of Sheffield United to the County Ground tomorrow, but he’s going to find it hard to break back into the Robins’ starting line-up.
Byrne, who has been ruled out of action for the last three matches after suffering a grade one hamstring tear, is back in full training and available for selection ahead of the arrival of the Blades in Wiltshire this weekend.
However, with Alex Smith and Nathan Thompson in fine form in the wing-back positions and manager Mark Cooper opting for a front two rather than a three of late, it would appear that Byrne may have to settle for a place on the bench.
Cooper told the Advertiser: “He will be in the squad. We know that he can play further forward but we’ve got different options now.”
Troy Archibald-Henville is set to be reinstated at the heart of the Town defence after being rested in midweek, while Jay McEveley’s knee has shown no ill-effects from playing two games in four days - against Preston North End and Tranmere Rovers.
“We’ve got Troy coming back now so we’ve got difficult decisions to make on Saturday,” said Cooper.
“Jay will be fine. I think it was because it was at Tranmere and in Liverpool that he was desperate to play on Tuesday.
“He knows the pros and cons of looking after his knee long-term.”
Grant Hall is close to a return from a calf injury but this game will come too soon for the Tottenham loanee, Alex Pritchard serves the final match of his three-game ban and Ryan Mason and Nile Ranger are long-term injury absentees.
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