CRAIG Easton believes he needs a loan move away from the County Ground to secure regular first team football, admitting: “This has been the worst year of my career.”

The 30-year-old midfielder has made 76 appearances during his three seasons at Swindon, scoring eight goals, but has fallen down the pecking order under Danny Wilson, featuring just four times this campaign.

Easton, who has also played for Dundee United, Livingston and Leyton Orient, revealed he is yet to ask Town manager Danny Wilson for a temporary switch, but acknowledged that it could be the best way to reignite his career.

“January to January has been a nightmare for me because I haven’t played as much as I would have liked. It’s been the worst year of my career,” Easton, pictured, told the Advertiser.

“I want to get some games under my belt and that hasn’t happened. When I’ve come in I’ve feel I’ve done well and would have liked to have got a run after, but for whatever reason it hasn’t happened.

“I’ve not discussed (a loan move) with the manager but it’s definitely something that I would consider. He hasn’t said he wants to put me out on loan, but if anything came up then I would go and talk to him.

“It shouldn’t be a surprise because I’ve got to be playing football and at the moment I’ve only been playing in the reserves, which don’t come around often enough.

“It’s an option that I would need to look at because I’m not playing enough football.”

Easton has spent the last few weeks sidelined with a calf injury, but is now almost back to fitness and ready to play a part for Town if needed.

“Having no game last weekend was probably good though because I haven’t needed to push myself too much and could recover properly,” explained the Scot.

“I’ve done a lot of running on it with Dave (Morrison, Swindon fitness and conditioning coach) and think I shouldn’t be too far away. Hopefully by the end of the week I could be fit.

“The ideal situation for me would be to play here but that hasn’t happened. My chances haven’t really come but the lads have been doing well.

“But I will keep myself as fit as I can and if an opportunity comes up then I’m ready.”