MARK Cooper will be hoping it won’t be a case of the ex when his side comes up against former striker Nicky Ajose tomorrow.

The Town boss clearly had a place in his heart for the 23-year-old, who was on loan from Peterborough for six months during last season.

Cooper has spoken fondly of the forward who scored six goals in his 16 appearances for Town, and is enjoying another profitable loan spell in Staffordshire with Crewe Alexandra.

The former Manchester United trainee, who has struggled to find a regular spot in a team, has scored eight goals in his 12 games for Crewe, and despite drawing blanks in his last two appearances, Cooper will be wary of his threat, knowing first-hand how dangerous he can be.

When asked at yesterday’s press conference if Ajose was Crewe’s main threat Cooper said: “I would say so.

“They play two up front. They play Marcus Haber and Nicky, or they have been.

“Typical big man-small man combination but Nicky is a real threat so we have to be really wary of him.

“You have got to be on your guard at all times with Nicky, his movement is fantastic.

“He always likes to be on the shoulder so we have to be careful because the boy likes to score goals for fun.

“He was brilliant for us and a great professional who is desperate to make a career for himself and we know if we give him half a chance he scores.”

Swindon head into the game having not won on their last three trips away from the County Ground.

Despite their opponents sitting just five points away from the relegation zone, Cooper understands that Steve Davis’ team will be confident of inflicting more misery on the road for their visitors.

“I am sure that they will have watched our last few games and feel that they will get an opportunity against us,” he added.

“I think they had a bad result against MK Dons, but then beat Fleetwood at home in their last home game so they will fancy their chances for sure.”