MARC Richards believes Swindon Town will benefit from the addition of one or two experienced faces during the January transfer window.

Richards, 36, is one of six players in the first-team squad over the age of 30.

Only one of whom, Matt Taylor, has managed to maintain a regular starting spot throughout this season, with Luke McCormick, Olly Lancashire, and Jermaine McGlashan all regularly placed on the bench, while Richards and Chris Robertson have suffered with injury issues.

Relying on young players to step up into physical battles is perhaps one of the reasons why Swindon find themselves 12th in the League Two table with more than half of the season played.

And while Richards believes the squad is strong as it is, the forward suggested that adding some experience could be vital in Town’s push to secure a play-off spot.

Speaking after Swindon’s 2-1 win at Macclesfield Town at the weekend, Richards said: “When you look at players we have got in the team – both the starting XI and those on the bench – you can see we have pace.

“Jermaine (McGlashan) came on and delivered the cross for the second goal.

“We have got a good squad at the moment, and if the manager can bring in a couple more faces to boost the team.

“We’ve got a fair amount of young lads that don’t have much experience in the league.

“Experience does help, it’s been an alright start to the season – but we should be doing a lot better.”

Richards himself has been held back this season by injury, but the striker might have turned a corner with regards to his fortunes after netting his first League Two goal since August on Saturday when nodding home Jak McCourt’s free kick against Macclesfield to level the game on 37 minutes.

“It’s been a frustrating season with the injuries that have come my way,” said Richards.

“Hopefully this is the start of a good second half to the season.

“I either wasn’t good enough or wasn’t quite at the races in the first half of the year.

“I’ve been catching up with fitness at times – it has been frustrating start.

“The free-kick was okay. I told him (Jak McCourt) to put the ball in a good area and I will do the rest.

“He knows the drill, I’m glad he’s learning.”