SWINDON Town U18 manager Alan McLoughlin says the younger players need to grab the chance to impress with both hands with a number of youth players expected to play in tonight’s pre-season friendly at Chippenham Town.

McLoughlin will be on the touchline instead of first team boss David Flitcroft, who is expected to be in attendance, when they travel to Hardenhuish Park this evening later today.

“It will be a young team and there’s only going to be one or two first-team players involved in the game,” the 50-year-old Town legend said.

“It is going to be a big mental test for the younger players and there are going to be young pro’s in there who have been in and around the first-team, so it is important they turn up and give a good account of themselves because all the first-team management staff will be in attendance.

“The boys who will be involved will mainly be second-year scholars and there will be one or two first-year scholars on the bench, so I’m looking for them to just enjoy the game, be dynamic, be athletic and be a threat.”

Their opposition for the evening will prove to be awkward costumers for McLoughlin’s young guns.

While he said it will be a stern test for the youngsters, the youth team boss also thinks it is important they try to enjoy themselves.

“We have to mix our play up and we’ll be playing a very good Chippenham side who were excellent last year,” he added.

“Mark Collier and Tom Jones have them well organised and it will be a great challenge for our boys.

“I’m expecting a good performance.

“I hope they enjoy the occasion, there should be a good crowd there and it should be a good test.

“We want to give Chippenham a right good game.”