AN OVERDUE fine that has since been paid resulted in Keshi Anderson missing out on the club’s pre-season trip to La Manga, with Swindon Town manager Richie Wellens revealing the forward is skating on thin ice.

Anderson has established himself as one of Wellens’ favoured players at Town since the 39-year-old took over from Phil Brown in mid-November last year.

But disciplinary issues off-pitch threaten to derail Anderson’s progress at the County Ground.

Wellens, who tonight watched a mixed Town XI defeat Hungerford 4-1, stated he is not prepared to risk anything that could disrupt the squad’s pleasant team spirit.

With that in mind, the Town boss said further fines and absences from matchday squads are inevitable for any player that fails to comply with club values.

“It’s difficult when you come in halfway through the season like last year. Habits are installed and I have to bide my time,” said Wellens.

“From day one (this season), I have set certain standards and rules. Keshi crossed those ethics, so we fined him.

“He didn’t pay the fine on time, so missed La Manga. It doesn’t matter if a player has played 400 games or never, those rules apply to everyone.

“He has now paid his fine and is back involved. I thought he was excellent in the second half against Hungerford.”

Anderson came on in place of Ellis Iandolo last night and impressed throughout the second half, clocking 45 minutes of needed game time.

The former Crystal Palace man made a series of bursting runs in and around the penalty area – and was consequently rewarded with a goal.

Wellens wants to include the 24-year-old as a regular in his matchday squad, but equally has plans to establish a high spirit in the Town dressing room.

He added: “No one has given Keshi more chances than me. But I will not break the spirit of the group for one player.

“At the moment, he is on a fine line. If he goes past that line, he won’t play.

“He’s an excellent player, and shouldn’t be playing at this level. But I need more stats, and I need more numbers in terms of goals and assists.

“Last year I let him get away with stuff because I needed him. That’s not going to happen this year.

“I won’t allow any single player to step out of line to try and disrupt the group.

“Tranmere got promoted last year and had a lot of team spirit – I think we’ve got a good spirit.

“And I won’t risk anything to break that spirit.”