SWINDON Town manager Phil Brown admits some of his match-changing substitutes against Tranmere Rovers have played their way into the reckoning for starting spots for tomorrow’s trip to Crawley Town in League Two.

Marc Richards scored Swindon’s equaliser and Steven Alzate provided the assist for the final two goals as Town came from 2-0 down to triumph 3-2 against Tranmere at the weekend.

Although still to decide on the final line-up he will field against Crawley this evening, Brown says it is clear that those two players could be rewarded for the impact they made off the bench.

“When you think about those substitutes coming on to win a game of football when you are 2-0 down, they are certainly coming to the forefront of my mind for a start against Crawley,” said Brown.

“There is a reality that if you are a midfield player at Swindon Town, there is a queue of players for one of the four positions if we are playing 4-4-2 or three positions if we are playing 4-3-3.

“When you do get your opportunity, you have got to grab it, and that’s what Steven Alzate looked to have done and what Marc Richards looked to have done.

“I am not giving the team away by any stretch of the imagination. I haven’t really worked on what we are going to be playing, but I have worked on what the opposition are going to be playing.”

Despite looking frail at the back against Tranmere, Brown may be unable to shuffle his pack too much defensively for the trip to Broadfield Stadium.

Although central defender Dion Conroy took a full part in training on Monday, it is likely to be too soon for him to return to the matchday squad after injury.

“Dion trained on Monday, which was a big plus,” said Brown.

“He initially came into the session to be involved in the warm-up, and then it was the passing drill, then the possession game, and then the back-four work.

“He eventually did the full session, which was great for him and great for me, but I think his work will probably be a gradual build-up through the week.”

Brown is eager to see a big improvement defensively when his side take on Crawley for what he expects to be an open game.

However, the Town boss is more than content that his troops can match Harry Kewell’s side when it comes to utilising possession.

“Harry Kewell is renowned already in his managerial career, albeit brief, that he looks to be the type of manager that wants to play open, expansive, over-the-top, good football,” said Brown.

“Crawley was one of the games I managed last season. We went behind, and if truth be known, it could have been a couple.

“But it stayed at 1-0 and to go on and get a point at Crawley was no disgrace by any stretch of the imagination, but I am going there with the thought process and game plan that we have to bring our A game to the party defensively.

“I know we have got a good enough strike force and I know we are going to create and score goals this season, but I just need the players to understand the clean sheet mentality.

“We totally respect what their manager is trying to do and we totally respect their team, and we have got to nullify that.

“If we can nullify that, then I know we have got enough in the camp to go and win the game, but it is about the group mentality.”