SWINDON Town’s new signing, Dominic Thompson believes he is capable of handling the pressure that comes with playing for a side involved in a relegation battle.

Thompson likened the strain of attempting to beat the drop to his experience around Brentford’s failed promotion bid to the Premier League last season.

The 20-year-old said he saw players change due to the stress that an assault on the Premier League causes, but said he has always been able to deal with any pressure involved in his football career.

Asked how he expects to cope given he has joined a team with contrasting fortunes to his parent club, Thompson said: “There are similarities between being at a team that’s chasing promotion and joining a team that’s trying to escape the bottom four, in terms of pressure.

“Although I didn’t play much for Brentford, being in and around the team last year while we were going for promotion – especially when we had the opportunity to go up automatically near the end – there was a lot of pressure around that.

“You can see how it affects a team, mentally, so I’ve been around pressure.

“It’s a different situation, obviously, but I think I handle pressure well, so I’ll try and bring my calmness to the team when I get the opportunity.”

Meanwhile, Thompson discussed his hopes for his football career, and said the ultimate goal would be pulling on a senior England shirt at a World Cup after having joined one of the Premier League’s giants.

He said: “Everyone wants to play at the top, in the World Cup and in the Champions League.

“I see myself playing at a top Premier League club because I think the Premier League is the best league in the world.

“Hopefully, I can play for England one day too.”