NATHAN Thompson wants Swindon Town to use their Christmas efforts of 12 months ago as inspiration as they look to bring a little festive cheer to the County Ground.

Town face Doncaster in League One tomorrow - the Robins’ first fixture in a spell of seven matches in 28 days over the Christmas and new year period - as they look to build a serious promotion challenge.

Though Swindon played fewer games over the same timeframe last season - just five in fact - their haul of 10 points was enough to put them within three points of the automatic promotion places and kick-started a run of 10 consecutive wins which put Town well in control of League Two.

Thompson witnessed all that first-hand, and he has stressed how important it is for the Robins to embark on a similar run of form this term.

“We’ve done a good, solid four or five days of running and we’re raring to go this weekend and looking forward to it,” he said.

“It’s maybe been a little bit of a blessing in disguise to have a little break leading into this and maybe it gives us a bit of extra energy going into a hard programme over the next couple of weeks.

“Hopefully we can start to kick on, like we did this time last season.

“As you saw last season this is the time that we took off and I think the work that we’ve done for the last couple of weeks and throughout the whole season builds up to this point where we really start to fly over the teams that haven’t done the same amount of work.

“We can start picking up wins where maybe we’ve been losing 1-0 and start putting those back-to-back wins together then we’ll be fine.

“The work we’ve done will stand us in great stead for this weekend and for the next couple of games. The boys are itching to go and we can start by putting it right on Saturday.”

With Alan McCormack suspended, Jay McEveley recovering from surgery on his knee and Federico Bessone injured, Thompson is Swindon’s only recognised fit and available full-back.

That could mean the 21-year-old is shifted to the left of defence to compensate for his absent teammates, and Thompson is happy to fulfil whatever job is required of him.

“I’m happy to play anywhere. Obviously I don’t know what the situation is yet but wherever the gaffer plays me, if he plays me, I’ll do my best,” he said.

“I give 100 per cent wherever so we’ll see what happens.

“You always want to play but I wouldn’t say I’m frustrated. If the gaffer wants to change it up a little bit then I’m going to accept that and I’m just happy to play when I’m given the opportunity.

“Hopefully I can impress when given that chance.”