Jody Morris admitted he would like to have Joe Tomlinson as part of his squad next season

Jody Morris said that he would like to keep Joe Tomlinson beyond the end of his current loan deal. Total Sport’s Joe Acklam spoke with the head coach after the game.

Tomlinson returned to the County Ground on loan in January for the second straight season and he has featured six times and scored one goal during his loan spell from League One Peterborough United.

It was revealed on Thursday that he had been struggling with an injury and might now miss the rest of the season, but Morris would like to keep him as part of his squad for next year.

He said: “It is not good, he [Tomlinson] looks like he is going to be out for three weeks, maybe two and a half.

“It is a huge blow for Joe himself and for us as well, but it is something that you have to take and everyone else has to be prepared.

“We will have to see how he gets on, but the initial thoughts are that he might be ok for the last game of the season.

“It is disappointing for the lad because he is a good kid and I have a lot of time for him, and he is a Swindon boy as well.

“I actually think a game like today would have been really good for him, with all of the possession that we had and the focus of the full backs being on the ball.

“But this is football, I am sure he will do everything he can to make sure that he is fit and available for the last game.

“Joe knows what I think of him, I really like him, and I think whether that [Tomlinson staying next season] is another question.

“I would like him here, but whether that is possible or not is another question.”

Tomlinson admitted his own desire to stay on at the Wiltshire club after arrival from Peterborough on deadline day of the January transfer window.

He said: “I believe that there is an option to buy in the summer and if everything goes to plan then I would like to think that would happen.

“It is not a done deal yet, but I like to think that if I come in and play well then the club will take that up.

“That is the view of it, and I was really glad and happy to get the call [from Swindon].”