TOWN boss Mark Cooper has insisted he will keep faith with the kids as despite the selection quandaries facing him before tonight’s game against Gillingham.

Though by no means wisened pros themselves, Louis Thompson’s one game ban adds to the absences of Anton Rodgers and Brad Smith through injury.

Missing three first team players it would be understandable for Swindon to look experience to plug those holes.

However Cooper is prepared to place faith in his academy graduates, as seen by his use of Will Randall against Crawley and ahead of Town’s trip to Gillingham indicated he will continue that policy.

That indicates a possible first team debut for young midfielder Lee Marshall, who impressed in pre-season.

Asked how he would deal with Thompson’s absence Cooper replied: “We’re not going to cry about it, we’ve got people that can come in, Ben Gladwin can drop back into their and we’ve got Lee Marshall who can play there.

“We showed on Saturday when we put young Will Randall on with half an hour to go at left wing-back to try to create something so no it (playing youngsters) doesn’t phase us, if we feel kids are ready we’ll play ‘em.

“We’ve proved that already and I think it’s important at this club the young boys recognise and realise there is a realistic opportunity for them to play in the first team.”