SWINDON Town head coach Jody Morris insists “there is absolutely no problem” between him and striker Charlie Austin after the forward was surprisingly left out of the Robins’ match-day squad against Tranmere Rovers on Easter Monday.

Austin’s absence was noticeable as Harvey Saunders scored the only goal of the game at Prenton Park to consign Town to an eighth game in a row without tasting victory.

Swindon’s second top scorer has bagged eight goals in 14 games since returning to the club for his second spell in January.

Post-match, Morris dismissed reports suggesting a falling out was the main reason behind the 33-year-old’s absence and stated his omission was simply down to looking after the striker’s physical health.

Morris said: “He always has a problem a couple of days after games, even training.

“I wasn’t going to start him in this game anyway, so rather than bring him all the way up here and make him sit on the bench when his body wouldn’t have been ready to play the game anyway.

“Albeit, not being injured, I just said to him: “get your rest and recuperation ready to go on Saturday.”

Asked what the difference was between naming Austin as a substitute against Walsall on a Tuesday night after starting a Saturday game, Morris said: “Just because I chose to do it.”

After further pressing, Morris said: “I just told you, it’s just because I chose to do it. There’s no problem with Charlie at all.

“We spoke really well after the game on Friday. I said: “I’m not sure I’m going to start you. I may want to play players who can go in behind all across the front.

“I told him: “If I’m not going to start you, I might leave you behind. I don’t know yet, I haven’t made my decision.” He said: “Alright.”

“Especially because, recovery-wise, I’ve always been told by the medical team that he struggles on the second day, and sometimes he doesn’t do the full training session.

“But there is absolutely no problem with me and Charlie. After the meeting, we actually had a chat about other stuff where we’re on the same page with as well.”

Austin is expected to return to the Town squad for Saturday’s home clash with Barrow.