MATT Taylor will do everything within his power to aid Swindon Town in their promotion push after being handed temporary charge of the first-team affairs in the wake of David Flitcroft’s shock resignation.

Flitcroft was officially unveiled as the new manager of Town’s League Two play-off rivals Mansfield Town yesterday, with experienced defender Taylor promptly handed the reins at the Energy Check County Ground on an interim basis.

Town currently occupy the last of the play-off spots in seventh in the table and former Portsmouth and West Ham United player Taylor is determined to help them achieve at least that goal in whatever way he can.

The immediate task at hand for Taylor, who has made more than 300 appearances in the Premier League during his career, is preparing the team for Saturday’s game at home to Yeovil Town and the 36-year-old is not looking any further than that.

“I had a phone call from the chairman (Lee Power) on Wednesday and he explained the situation with David and Ben, that the two of them had possibly agreed to go to Mansfield,” said Taylor.

“We had a brief conversation about that and then he asked me whether or not I would feel comfortable in overseeing the game on Saturday, which I do feel extremely comfortable to do so.

“It was just a frank and honest conversation about how did I feel about taking up the role of interim manager and how I felt the players would be in terms of their attitude towards me.

“It was just a decision that I would always help the football club out and that’s where we stay at the moment - the next 72 hours.

“I have no idea how long it will be for and all I will concentrate on is preparing myself, the team and the staff for as long as I am asked to do so.

“It will be player-manager until I am told otherwise or until the club decide they are going to appoint somebody else.

“All I am focussing on is getting everybody in the right frame of mind for what is a difficult game on Saturday.”

Having been mooted overnight on Wednesday, Flitcroft’s departure from Swindon alongside assistant manager Ben Futcher was not officially confirmed until Thursday morning, just as he was being unveiled by Mansfield.

The news was announced via a statement and the club declined to expand when requested to do so by the Advertiser.

The statement read: “Swindon Town Football Club can confirm that it has accepted the resignations of manager Dave Flitcroft and his assistant Ben Futcher.

“We are extremely disappointed at the timing of this with the club currently lying in a play-off position, with an automatic promotion spot still a realistic goal.

“Swindon Town can confirm that Matt Taylor has taken over first-team affairs on a temporary basis whilst we search for a permanent replacement to take the club forward.

“We are committed to finding the right man to not only help the club achieve our short-term aim of promotion back to League One but to also take the club forward with the club’s long-term future in mind.

“Swindon Town won’t be making any further comment at this stage.”