HALLAM Hope’s attacking threat from the left wing will be utilised by Swindon Town manager Richie Wellens between now and the end of the season, though he admits the Manchester-based forward might have to be patient for his opportunities.

Hope, 25, has made four starts for Swindon since signing on a permanent deal from Carlisle United but did not feature during Tuesday night’s one-goal win at Northampton.

It is Hope’s ability to position himself in dangerous areas and score clinical goals from the left that attracted Wellens to his January capture.

Whether he can work effectively in a three with strikers Jerry Yates and Eoin Doyle – with stiff competition for a starting spot from Diallang Jaiyesimi, Lloyd Isgrove and Kaiyne Woolery to name a few also – remains to be seen.

Adapting to Town’s more potent attacking threat has proven to be no problem for the Barbados international, Wellens claims.

He added: “I haven’t watched Carlisle every single week, but you would foresee that we create more chances than them.

“We identified that he (Hallam Hope) was a player that can score goals from the left, and he’s scored two already for us.

“He can play up front too, so if we need a striker to fill in Hallam can do that. His movement and positioning inside the box are both very clever, and his finishing is good.

“He’s one of a number of good options at the top end of the pitch for us.”

Wellens remembers himself having to adjust quickly to different playing styles when moving from one club to another.

Eight times during his playing career as a midfielder Wellens switched clubs, so he understands the potentially awkward phase Hope finds himself in.

He added: “I remember having to change styles quickly, but it’s different for strikers.

“His movements must be different and he is working with a bigger squad here so he will have to be patient with his opportunities.

“When he gets his chances, he will have to take them – and he has done so far.”

Meanwhile, the Town boss comically responded to a question asking if he had received any interest in the vacant Blackpool job following Simon Grayson’s departure.

The good humoured 39-year-old confirmed the only contact he had received from Blackpool was from the Pleasure Beach marketing team via email, offering him 50 per cent off admission.

Wellens said that he is not interested in the Blackpool role, nor the lure of half-price on the town’s big dipper.