MATTY Jones needs to “kick on” when he starts his professional career with Swindon Town next season, according to manager Mark Cooper.

Jones and Curtis Da Costa were both handed pro deals with the Robins last week and will join up with the first-team squad for pre-season training towards the end of June.

Having already experienced life in and around the senior set-up - Jones has trained with the Swindon squad and been a part of Cooper’s matchday 18 - the Town manager does not anticipate the left-back struggling to adapt to pro life.

He said: “Matty has got a great left foot, he’s got some work to do defensively and we need to work with him on that. He’s one that will come into our squad and try to push for a place next year.

“Obviously he’s been out on loan and done really well. He’s got to kick on in pre-season and show he can be in and around the team in front of the other ones.”

Salvyn Kisitu and Liam Walsh both missed out on professional contracts with Swindon, with Cooper saying: “It’s difficult to tell young boys they’re not going to get offered anything. It’s harsh but we can’t hoard players this year and next year, we’ve got to make sure the players we bring in are right and are going to compete for players.”

Of Da Costa, Cooper said: “Curtis has had an injury so he’ll be on an extended scholarship but will be part of our group. It will be a pro deal.”