PHIL Brown believes it could still be two games until Swindon Town see the full return of Marc Richards.

The veteran striker injured his arm during Town's pre-season win over Melksham Town, forcing him to sit out the majority of pre-season.

The 36-year-old then made a goalscoring to action ahead of schedule to face Tranmere Rovers a the Energy Check County Ground four weeks ago.

Brown says the frontman is still not quite up to speed despite his continued involvement but believes he is edging closer.

“I had a good conversation with Marc Richards. You have to sit down and talk to these guys and we spoke about his game coming back,” he said.

“It was about him missing a big chunk of pre-season so far.

“I have to put it into perspective, he is 36-years-old so he will need rest and recuperation as much as he’ll need games.

“It’s about finding a balance during the week of how much do we work him hard. Regardless of what we think, Marc Richards is a goalscorer but he has to work hard to get there.

“He knows his game is coming back and I know his game is coming back, he just needs people to understand it may take another game or two for it to come back.”

Brown also revealed he tailored the team’s preparation for the trip to Morecambe around the needs of Richards, and says he is confident that the striker and his fellow his forward options are all ready to go.

“During the week we had 11-v-11 games and they were for him (Richards) to get more minutes and we had another session on Thursday," he added.

“He scored in the game on Monday, he scored in the game on Tuesday and he scored in the game on Thursday so all of that suggests his mind is clear and his mind is clear because he can run.

“We have had a big week so hopefully he will tick a big box on Saturday. The goal Elijah (Adebayo) scored will also tick a big box for him.

“It’s the same with Keshi Anderson and Jermaine McGlashan – there isn’t massive competition for places at the top end of the pitch until the emergence of Scott Twine, Sol Pryce and Kaiyne Woolery.”

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