SWINDON Town head coach Ben Garner is fully confident his depleted squad can beat promotion rivals Port Vale on Saturday.

In a week where Kaine Kesler-Hayden was recalled from his season-long loan by Aston Villa and Romoney Crichlow was brought back to Huddersfield Town before being shipped out again to Plymouth Argyle, Swindon’s defensive options have been severely hit.

Added to the fact Town will be without experienced professionals, Jack Payne and Mathieu Baudry through injury and Jojo Wollacott due to international duty, Garner has 19 players available for the trip to Vale Park.

There was some good news on Thursday, however, as former Valiant Harry McKirdy committed his future to Swindon by signing an undisclosed-length contract extension.

The Swindon boss said the club is looking to sign replacements for the departed loanees, but Town will not rush into anything and are unlikely to announce a deal before next week.

Garner said: “We’re looking at strengthening in two or three areas now. But we’ve got more than enough to go and win at Port Vale on Saturday.

“We’re probably as stretched as we have been all season in terms of the loans going back, a couple of injuries, and Jojo [Wollacott] being away.

“But there’s still enough quality in this squad to go and win at Port Vale – that’s what our focus will be on.”