RECOVERY and rehabilitation will be the most crucial aspects of Swindon Town’s preparation for tomorrow night’s trip to Accrington Stanley, according to manager David Flitcroft.

The Town players were forced to fully exert themselves during Saturday’s 2-2 draw away at Lincoln City after having to play for almost 70 minutes with 10 men following an early red card for central defender Matt Preston.

After a 160-mile trek back to Wiltshire from Sincil Bank late that evening, there has been little time for the Swindon squad to rest up before they get back on the road once more and make another long journey north to Accrington.

Flitcroft concedes that the on-field endeavours against the Imps has taken its toll on his players, although the depth of the Town squad at present could well be a crucial factor as he prepares his team for a fourth crunch League Two clash in 11 days at the Wham Stadium this evening.

“Saturday was a big shift physically and emotionally,” said Flitcroft.

“To a man, the lads gave everything they have got for the supporters, for the town, for the team. I couldn’t ask any more of this team in Saturday’s performance.

“It is up to the staff now to make sure we get the adequate work into the players so that on Monday, the reflection on Lincoln is finished and we are moving forward.

“The recovery is absolutely vital – what they eat, what they drink, the massage they got before we went away from Lincoln.

“All the recovery strategies will be put in place and we will make sure we are ready to go on Tuesday.

“It is now about looking the players in the eyes and picking the next group of players that want to go to Accrington and compete for a win.”

After sharing the spoils with one promotion rival at the weekend, Town take on another tomorrow evening as they and Accrington both occupy play-off positions at present and are separated by just one point in the table.

Victory for Swindon would move them level on points with Notts County in the third and final automatic promotion place, while Accy could climbs as high as second with a win of their own.

After a physical encounter against Lincoln on Saturday, Flitcroft expects a much more free-flowing game to unfold at the Wham Stadium but has warned his players to forget about the potential permutations of the result.

“It is probably poles apart from the direct team at Lincoln to Accrington, who have a more fluid way of playing,” said Flitcroft.

“We take one game at a time, it is really important we don’t get ahead of ourselves.

“There are so many points still to play for. Every game is very important and Tuesday is no different.”