WINGER Jordon Garrick says being a loanee does not mean he cares about Swindon Town’s fortunes any less and revealed the club will always have a place in his heart.

The 22-year-old arrived at the County Ground in January on a short-term loan from Swansea City as Town strived to turn a poor first half of the season around.

The second half of the season has been encouraging, according to Garrick, and the young Jacks attacker says every player – whether they are under contract or brought in on loan – understands how much it means to the fans and the town that Swindon remain in League One next season.

Manager John Sheridan spoke out after a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland, saying he feels his team must be aware of what they’re playing for this season now that success is unattainable.

Asked if that was true, Garrick said: “I definitely understand what it means to the town and to the club to stay in League One.

“I’m a player that cares a lot, no matter where I am. I could be playing non-league, I could be playing in the Premier League – it doesn’t really matter to me.

“No matter what happens, the town and club is always going to have a place in my heart.

“I would never see this loan as just playing games or coming here because I’m not playing somewhere else.

“I came here because I want to win, I want us to stay in the league, and I want to help by doing the best I can.

“I know the rest of the loan boys feel the same, so I don’t think being a loanee applies to how we go about our business.”

Despite a narrow defeat to the Black Cats, Garrick said the performance on Tuesday night proved his loan club is moving in the right direction – certainly in terms of the defensive side of their game.

A dogged and determined showing against free-scoring Sunderland frustrated the Wearside outfit, and Town limited their hosts to very few chances throughout.

Garrick maintained the resolve Swindon has shown at the back recently will see more results come good in the final 15 fixtures.

He said: “The game plan worked well, and we were organised.

“It’s different when we’re chasing the game and we’re leaving people two-on-one at the back because it’s different circumstances. But we don’t really look like we’re going to concede from open play. 

“Set-pieces, we look a lot more solid too. It was just a lack of communication and people switching on a bit quicker, maybe the goal could have been avoided – but it wasn’t to be.”