AS a former international defender with almost 300 senior club appearances to his name, Town legend Paul Bodin should know a good full-back when he sees one.

So when the club’s head of youth development describes teenage right-back Nathan Thompson as “different class”, the County Ground faithful should sit up and take note.

Bodin is confident under-18 graduate Thompson, pictured left, can make the step up to be an established member of Danny Wilson’s first team squad, despite having only signed his first professional deal at the end of April.

And the Swindon legend believes he has all the attributes to forge a successful career in the game.

“Nathan Thompson is one of those players who could just go into the first team now,” said Bodin.

“He’s unflappable and a great defender, and I believe he’s as good as any defender at the club in terms of one versus one situations.

“Nathan has now got to go and prove that in the first team environment, but training with them day in, day out will help him do that, as well as improving his sharpness and strength.

“You need time to blend in with the first team, but he will have a full pre-season with them and I believe he can go from strength to strength.

“We hope we have prepared him as well as we can, but only time will tell.”

Even though he only featured for the reserves and youth team last year, Thompson’s impressive performances saw him being tracked by some of the Premier League’s biggest sides.

Along with goalkeeper Mark Scott and midfielders Kurt Hammonds and Lloyd Macklin, the defender put pen to paper on a one-year deal at the end of a season in which the foursome helped Swindon’s under 18s clinch the Puma Youth Alliance South West Division.

“From my own perspective, Nathan was different class last year,” admitted Bodin.

“He is consistent, and his attitude to the game and life generally is fantastic - he conducts himself very well.

“His all-round demeanour suggests he could on to play at a higher level, but he’s got to go to the next step and show continuity and consistency.

“I also believe Mark Scott could make a real push to be the number two (goalkeeper) next year.

“We had real high hopes for him until he broke his thumb in a car accident earlier this year, but he’s got a lot of potential and this could be a big season for him.”