RICHIE Wellens has every confidence in throwing Matty Palmer into action for Swindon Town.

A transfer deadline day signing, Palmer has had to remain patient for an opportunity to make his Town bow, which came in the closing moments of Tuesday night’s victory over Scunthorpe United.

But with seven games still to come this month the 25-year-old could well see more game time, with Jordan Lyden also now a victim of a season-ending ankle injury.

Despite the lack of game time, Wellens will have no qualms giving Palmer more time on the pitch.

“It’s just been tough for Matty because he’s waited so long for his debut, I thought it was an ideal situation to give him ten minutes and get his confidence up,” Wellens said.

“It must be tough. He’s trained really well since he’s come in and it’s taken him three or four weeks to get his debut, which is probably unheard of.

“But with Lyden doing so well when he’s been playing and DJ playing as a ten, Michael Doughty was our best player tonight again, it’s been difficult for him.

“But I have every confidence. I’ve seen him train, he’s got good quality, he can definitely pass the ball around, makes good angles and links things up.

“We’re pleased to have him and hopefully now he’s got his debut, now he can get more minutes.”

The Scunthorpe game also saw Keshi Anderson return to the matchday squad for the first time since the end of December.

Having picked up 90 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Birmingham City last week, Anderson was given a quarter-hour of competitive action against the Iron in place of Diallang Jaiyesimi.

“You’ve seen the quality of him (Anderson),” said Wellens. “I think DJ’s better in the final third, but Keshi will give you that interchange.

“He can run with the ball from deep and he’s very trustworthy in possession in the middle third of the pitch.

“I thought we needed that and I think when he came on you can see his quality.

“Hopefully he can build on that 20 minutes and keep his fitness improved.”