SWINDON Town manager John Sheridan launched a fierce defence of Taylor Curran after the centre-back’s introduction was questioned following defeat to Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.

After starting defender Zeki Fryers was forced off through injury midway through the first half, Town boss Sheridan opted to send on the inexperienced Curran over Akin Odimayo – a player who has featured on 20 occasions for Swindon this season.

Curran – who has started just once in the league this season – went on to endure another sub-par performance and was partly at fault for Doncaster’s second goal before receiving a yellow card late on for a poor challenge on Fejiri Okenabirhie.

Sheridan disagreed, however, stating the 20-year-old had an excellent game and will only improve by being exposed to the first-team environment.

Asked why Curran got the nod over Odimayo to replace Fryers, Sheridan said: “Because he (Curran) has been better in training.

“Akin has played a lot of games this season, and I thought Taylor was excellent when he came on. I thought he did very well, I was very pleased with his performance.

“He’s a young lad who’s got to learn and get used to the pace of first-team football. I didn’t see a problem, whatsoever.”

Curran arrived from Southend United in January 2019 on a two-and-a-half-year deal before extending his terms by a further year last summer.

Thought to be one for the future, Curran has seen a lot more squad time than most fans expected – only failing to make the squad once in all competitions this season.

But Sheridan is now fed up of the discussions around the 20-year-old’s name and says there is no issue with the young defender.

“I don’t know why people bring Taylor Curran’s name into it,” said Sheridan.

“I’m seeing Zeki Fryers making mistakes, I’m seeing Dion Conroy – my captain – make mistakes and doing the wrong things.

“So I wouldn’t pick up on something just because he’s made an attempt to win the ball on the touchline. Unfortunately, he’s caught the man late.

“But there’s no problem with him – I thought he did really, really well when he came on.

“I’d like people to look at other people and the mistakes they make out on the pitch instead of picking out individuals.”