ALASSANE N’Diaye is itching to be handed his first start for Swindon after declaring himself fully fit following recent injury problems.

Despite having injured his knee while at parent club Crystal Palace, Town boss Paul Hart opted to bring the Frenchman to the County Ground on an initial one-month deal in mid-March.

N’Diaye did not feature in the starting 11 at first as he worked his way back to full fitness by playing a couple of matches in the reserves.

Recently though, he has been included in Town’s matchday squad and was given his longest run out yet for the first team at Brentford on Saturday, coming on as a 66th-minute substitute for Michael Timlin.

And having agreed to stay at the County Ground until the end of the season last Friday, N’Diaye is now desperate to be handed his first start.

He told the Advertiser: “We will see next Saturday how we go. I am feeling good now to start and I am ready to play and help get another win for Swindon.

“I am very happy here and I am here now until the end of the season, so now I can focus on finishing our work. We cannot stop until this has been done.”

N’Diaye’s declaration over his fitness will pose a welcome selection headache for Hart, who must decide whether or not to alter a side that picked up Town’s first win in 19 games at the weekend with a 1-0 defeat of Brentford.

The winning goal in that match came courtesy of Calvin Andrew and N’Diaye was delighted to see his Crystal Palace teammate finally open his account for the club.

“I remember him scoring sometimes at Crystal Palace so I am delighted he has now done it here in Swindon,” he added.

“To get that winning feeling now is great and the belief is there that we can stay up.”

Meanwhile, Kevin Amankwaah looks set to be sidelined for the remainder of the season after Hart confirmed the full-back is likely to need an operation on his knee.

The 28-year-old had forced his way into the reckoning under Hart having started in the games against Brighton and Exeter.

However, he has not played this month after a long-standing knee injury flared up the day before the home game against Hartlepool.

Amankwaah had been hoping to be able to battle through the pain until the end of the season, but Hart feels that is now unlikely to happen, saying: “I don’t think it is an option.

“Kevin, I think, is going to have to have an operation on his knee.”

Meanwhile, David Lucas has resumed training after missing the last two games with a back injury and should be in contention for the weekend clash with visiting MK Dons.