RICHIE Wellens has described Swindon Town right-back Kyle Knoyle as the best one-on-one defender in League Two, following Saturday’s impressive 3-0 win against Colchester United.

Knoyle, 22, was instructed by Wellens to man-mark United’s key threat on the wing - Courtney Senior - during Saturday’s tie, and not once did he allow the pacey Croydon-born forward past him.

The right-back’s performance perhaps went under the radar, given Town’s clinical performance at the other end of the pitch as Canice Carroll, Luke Woolfenden and Kyle Bennett netted for the hosts.

But Wellens drew attention to the West Ham academy product’s performance.

He said: “I was always going to play Kyle Knoyle, I think he’s the best one-on-one defender in the league.

“I can’t remember Courtney Senior going past him once.”

Wellens’ comments were voiced after he revealed both Danny Rose and Matt Taylor had returned to full training following their own respective injuries.

Both could have played against United on Saturday, but precaution dictated both players’ roles as Taylor featured only on the bench while Rose didn’t feature at all.

Nonetheless, Town’s three points denied what could have been a disastrous 10-point play-off frame deficit with only 12 games remaining.

Now four points short of a top seven spot – with a game in hand – the Town boss stated his side are still fighting an uphill battle.

He added: “I wouldn’t say Saturday’s game will define our season, but from next week we will have an idea if we have a shout or not.

“If we lost on Saturday against Colchester and found ourselves 10 points behind, it would have been too much to close.

“We’ve only got a small chance of the play-offs, simply because games are running out.

“But if we can have a good run and install some belief that we can get there – I want to try and get as close as possible.

“If we’ve got a chance with four or five games left, I’ll be able to look at body language and see if players can cope with trying to win promotion.

Meanwhile Wellens was yesterday confirmed as one of four managers nominated for the League Two Manager of the Month award.

Michael Jolley (Grimsby), Ryan Lowe (Bury) and John McGreal (Colchester) have also been nominated for the award.

The winner will be announced on Friday.