SWINDON Town head coach Ben Garner says Anthony Grant missed out on the match day squad against Colchester United as his fellow centre midfielders had enjoyed a better week of training.

Town drew 0-0 with the U’s at the County Ground on Saturday in a game where the hosts dominated possession and chances but were unable to find the net.

Despite coming back from representing Jamaica over a fortnight ago, a lengthy period of self-isolation followed, rendering Grant unavailable to Garner.

And once he returned to training, Grant failed to impress the Town boss as much as his peers.

Speaking in his post-match interview, Garner clarified why Ryan East got the nod over Grant.

Garner said: “Granty has come back in after he’s been away for a few weeks, and I picked the squad based on performances in training in the week and who I thought looked fitter and sharper.

“I went with Ryan East on the bench because he’s done so well in training recently, so that’s the competition we want.

“Granty has been away, and he’s now got to fight to get back into the squad. Jordan Lyden is now there and with another couple of days next week he will be available.

“Harry McKirdy is in full training from Tuesday, so he’ll be available next week (against Bristol Rovers).

“Mathieu Baudry was back in the squad (against Colchester) so we’re getting competition now and we want that.”

“It is done in the right way in that those who perform in training and those who do things right and are performing on the pitch will get the opportunities. That’s how we want it.”

Another significant name to be absent from the Town squad last weekend was Welsh international, Jonny Williams.

Set to be named in the match day 18, Williams suffered an unfortunate bang to the head after training had finished and was unable to help Swindon find that all important goal the following day.

Garner said: “Jonny Williams was actually in the squad but, unfortunately, he got a blow to the back of his head after training had finished one day.

“He got hit by a ball in what was just a freak training ground incident. It is actually a mild concussion, so we’re following the protocol and he wasn’t available (against Colchester).

“The first port of call is his welfare, he’s been checked over and he was absolutely fine at the weekend.”