MATCHDAY PREVIEW: Swindon Town v Leyton Orient

Swindon Town will have to overcome former manager Richie Wellens’ Leyton Orient if they are to follow up a strong Good Friday showing against Harrogate at the County Ground today. Total Sport Swindon's Joe Acklam previews the encounter.

A three-game winless run came to an abrupt end as Swindon ran rampant in their first game of the Easter weekend, with Louie Barry and Josh Davison both bagging braces in a convincing 4-1 win.

After a defeat to Newport had threatened to put an end to Town’s hopes of making the post-season, victory in Yorkshire moved them back within touching distance of the top seven, just two points behind Sutton and possessing a superior goal difference.

A win to close out the weekend double-header would be all the sweet surprise that Ben Garner’s side could have wanted, but they will need to defeat the returning Wellens to do so.

Having departed SN1 to move to Salford last season, the man who delivered the League Two title to Wiltshire just two years ago has faced the sack twice at Salford and Doncaster before taking charge at Brisbane Road at the start of March.

Orient are playing for nothing with four games left in their season and sat in 14th, but Wellens will be hoping to finish strongly and his players will be hoping to show their manager that they are worth keeping.

Since his appointment in East London, The O’s have experienced an upturn in form, with five wins, two draws, and two defeats.

But Swindon will be wary of their potent strike partnership of Harry Smith, another former Robin, and Aaron Drinan, both of whom scored twice in Swindon’s 4-1 humbling in the reverse fixture back in December, the only outing of Town’s blackout third shirt.

Despite the emphatic scoreline, Friday’s win was not all sunshine and smiles as it has eliminated Rob Hunt from the visit of Leyton Orient and the club are still awaiting an update on his fitness going into the subsequent four matches.

Mandela Egbo was a revelation on his first start against Harrogate, but despite being removed after the hour mark due to a fitness concern he will be available and Harry McKirdy is also in line for a return, but he will be evaluated ahead of the game to determine the extent to which he can fixture.

Another returning face to the County Ground will be goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux, who was Swindon’s player of the season in 2016-17 despite relegation to League Two.