NEW Swindon Town signing Mandela Egbo said it took him just two days to be convinced he wanted to agree a contract with Ben Garner’s men.

The former Borussia Monchengladbach and New York Red Bulls defender has been training with Town since January, initially as a plan to keep fit and available should he be able to find an offer elsewhere.

However, the 24-year-old admitted he quickly changed his mind after experiencing the buzz of the group and seeing how his former youth coach operates.

Egbo had to wait over two months for a deal that looked like it would not be coming until the poor fortune of Brandon Cooper and Joe Tomlinson forced Town to explore their limited options.

Luckily for Swindon, there was a diamond in the rough already training with them.

Egbo said: “To be perfectly honest, the initial plan was just to stay fit.

“That lasted about two days because I’ve seen the lads, I’ve seen the energy around the place, and I realised that if something was available then I would be more than willing to take it. That’s why I hung around for so long and kept training.

“I wouldn’t wish injuries on anybody, and we pray for Coops’ (Brandon Cooper) and JT’s (Joe Tomlinson) quick recovery, but if I’m needed on the pitch while they’re away then I’m more than willing to pull a shirt on.”

Egbo has already featured twice as a substitute and helped Town to a pair of victories on their way to sixth place in League Two.

But before he even arrived to train with Swindon, the London-born right-sided player admitted he was enjoying a brief spell away from football with his family.

He said: “I was kind of enjoying the break, I was enjoying just coming to terms with being a lad away from football.

“But it was definitely time to get back playing. You’re never glad to see injuries – especially since I’ve come in and got close with the lads, knowing them personally and training with them for the last few months – but I’m glad to be in and around it.

“I’m glad to be fighting for three points every weekend again. The break was nice, granted, it was nice to be around family. But it’s also nice to get back to work, and I’m ready to do that.”