PROGRESSION to improve Swindon Town’s threat in the final third has not accelerated at a rate that manager Richie Wellens had in mind.

Despite scoring 15 goals in an eight-game period between early January and March, Wellens has been left deflated by performances in the final third against Carlisle, Stevenage and Port Vale in recent weeks.

One goal from those three games has severely stalled Town’s trying play-off bid, and many regard this afternoon’s tie against Morecambe at the County Ground (3pm) as a must win contest if Wellens’ side are to poach a play-off spot.

In addition, the 38-year-old Town boss has stated he wants to see progression from the likes of Keshi Anderson and Kaiyne Woolery with one eye on his squad for next season.

“I would like our progress (in the final third) to be at a quicker rate,” said Wellens.

“We’re working with young players though. I’m trying to put more information in to them than they have probably ever had before.

“I would like them to improve quicker, but that would be me being greedy.

“It is important that I see progress now.

“We’ve got nine games left, I want to see how good they can be for next season.

“It’s important I start looking for next season.

“I want us to play with more pace and power, more people running behind.”

Michael Doughty remains out of action this weekend through injury. However, Canice Carroll will be able to play after not being called up by the Republic of Ireland for international friendlies.

Olly Lancashire has given himself the all clear after he and his wife welcomed a new child into the world during the week, though Ellis Iandolo looks set to miss out again after injuring himself during the warm-up against Carlisle two weeks ago.

Wellens also wants to see more bravery from his men in front of goal when the Shrimps visit today, arguing that more chances must be taken from corners.

Swindon have won 227 corners this year – fifth highest in the league – but have struggled to convert from those chances.

And Wellens admits changing his side’s goals-to-corners ratio is hard to change and will instead require individual commitment.

He said: “I think sometimes the front players are not brave enough to take opportunities or keep running in the areas and get a goal.

“I think we would be top of the league on corners, but when you score from corners it is about being really brave and being more aggressive than the guy who is marking you.

“If you get hurt, you get hurt. We haven’t got that, we don’t want to score headers from corners.

“That is difficult for me to change, but we are getting in areas to pull back and score from crosses and we are getting double-figure corners every game.

“That disappoints me because I think if we had someone in there who could finish from corners, we would pick up a lot more points.”