Alan McLoughlin believes Tom Smith and Ellis Iandolo will be pushing for first-team spots

Swindon Town's Under-18 manager, Alan McLoughlin, believes that midfielders Tom Smith and Ellis Iandolo will be challenging for spots in the first-team lineup in the forthcoming season.

Smith and Iandolo both impressed in the 3-2 win over Chippenham on Tuesday night, with Smith scoring the second Town goal.

Both were replaced in the second half though to keep them fresh for first-team boss David Flitcroft, in case they are wanted for Saturday's trip to Carlisle, which kicks off the new League Two season.

"I'd say they are pushing for places in the first-team," McLoughlin said.

"I thought Tom tonight was excellent, Ellis as well (and) Scotty Twine. Everyone really has put a shift in.

"The manager's probably got his team in his mind for Saturday and moving forward, but certainly the amount of games that, particularly, are there at the start of the season, he can rely on the players to be dynamic and getting round the pitch.

"And I'm saying it to the scholars: you can come into a football club and think 'well, if I pass the ball ten times, if I've got great skill and I can do this...'. It doesn't get you a career. Sometimes hard work, energy, drive, determination, to get around the pitch, stop the opposition, and then your flair comes out eventually. 

"You have to work hard and you have to work hard from day one through to the day you retire. If you don't put a graft in and don't put a shift in, then you won't get your rewards.

"I felt tonight that they deserved it, we obviously made some changes thinking about the weekend, with Ellis and Tom as well, to make sure they were ok.

"We take encouragement and these boys will be involved on Saturday, and if they're not involved, don't be disappointed, because you've put a marker down tonight that you're capable and able to get around the pitch and work and give the manager food for thought."