RICHIE Wellens is targeting a wide player that can add some spark to Swindon Town’s options on the wings after being impressed by striker Marc Richards in recent games.

Richards netted his second goal in as many games on Saturday when deflecting Ali Koiki’s clinical cross to get Town on their way to a 2-1 win at Tranmere Rovers in League Two.

A clinical edge in front of goal in recent games – which has seen Town net six goals in three games – has pleased Wellens.

The Town boss revealed he expects one or two players to leave the club – either on loan or permanently – this week, amid his search to bring a wide player in.

Wellens added: “I’m targeting a wildcard, a wide man that can create a little bit of magic.

“I’m really happy with Marc Richards. I’m well aware that he has been out for quite a while so we need to look after him as he’s only just coming back to full fitness.

“But he is working hard in training, and these games are helping him get up to that fitness.

“I don’t want him to get to 80 or 85 minutes and run into the box and do his calf or suffer a muscle injury.

“I’d rather look after him and make sure he is 100 per cent before completing 90 minutes.”

One thing Wellens is keen to change in the two upcoming home games against Crawley Town and Forest Green Rovers is Town’s ability to change mentality following a goal either for or against.

Little changed after Richards netted Swindon’s opener against Tranmere, but Wellens pointed to previous goals for and against Lincoln City, and similarly at Macclesfield Town.

The Town boss concerned about receiving either a positive or negative reaction following a goal – and that’s not a trait he wishes to carry forward.

“I wouldn’t say my ideas are becoming second nature, because we made a few changes on Saturday,” said Wellens.

“But what we are doing at the moment is when the game changes – whether it goes for or against us – we are changing the way that we play. It should stay the same.

“The work ethic and the attitude, especially in the last 20 minutes, was good from everyone. I think fans are seeing little signs of what we are trying to do.”

Meanwhile, the decision to leave first-team regulars Ellis Iandolo and Jermaine McGlashan out of the squad altogether was entirely down to competition for places.

Wellens’ tactical change to include Koiki in an advancing left-back role certainly paid dividends.

He explained: “The reason I played Ali (Koiki) is that we felt Tranmere played three at the back, but when we had the ball, they retreated to a five.

“Therefore, there was lots of space out wide. And Koiki delivered the ball for the first goal in an area where you need pace to keep moving.

“He blew up in the last 20 minutes, but Matt Taylor came in and did a great job to see the game out for us defensively.”