PLAYERS sitting on the bench and in the grandstand during Saturday’s goalless draw at home against Mansfield Town have a ‘louder voice’ with regards to their team selection credentials, admits Swindon Town boss Phil Brown.

Brown finds himself in a rare position of luxury ahead of tonight’s League Two fixture at the Energy Check County Ground against Cambridge United, with only Chris Robertson (ankle) and Sid Nelson (suspension) ruled out.

Returning players Michael Doughty and Kaiyne Woolery came through Saturday’s tie unscathed while Brown added that younger players – including Scott Twine and Joe Romanski – have reason to pitch for first team selection.

Brown said: “Everyone came through Saturday unscathed, which is excellent news.

“It’s not nice when you have to sit four or five seniors on the bench or in the stand, but that’s the nature of the business.

“The physios, fitness coaches and all other members of our backroom staff are doing their jobs to the best of their ability.

“Only Chris Robertson is out at the moment, which is brilliant.”

The Swindon boss had to disappoint a number of his squad on Saturday including Dion Conroy, Jak McCourt and Martin Smith – all of whom failed to make Town’s team sheet.

Accepting that dropping players is part of his job, Brown stated that he will not shy away from overlooking some of the club’s experienced players in favour of Town’s promising youngsters.

That includes the likes of Jordan Edwards, Jordan Young and Sol Pryce – three players who Brown described as ‘chomping at the bit’ on the training ground.

He said: “Team selection is part of the job.

“There were one or two disappointed lads on Saturday, but at the same time they understand that they are part of a squad of 20 plus players.

“It’s easy to put the kids in the stands, but I don’t think it necessarily is. Joe Romanski and Scott Twine have careers ahead of them.

“Jordan Edwards, Jordan Young and Sol Pryce are chomping at the bit too – but they’ve got a wall of senior professionals in front of them, which is brilliant for me.

“But at the same time I’m try to find that winning formula, and I’m asking a group of players to perform to the best of their ability.

“The people sitting in the stand and on the bench (on Saturday) have a louder voice after not coming out with a win (against Mansfield).”

Meanwhile Brown continues to utilise his senior players when it comes to educating the club’s future hopes.

“The experienced lads like Matt (Taylor), Marc Richards, Toumani (Diagouraga) and Luke McCormick – if they get slightly on the wrong side of good then there might be a problem in the changing room,” said the Town boss.

“But they’re top drawer professional footballers. The younger lads will never have a better opportunity with regards to the examples being set, none more so than Matt Taylor.”