MARK Cooper has changed his role at the County Ground from manager to physio as he oversees his squad’s fitness ahead of the play-offs.

With hopes of a top-two finish now remote after Saturday’s defeat to Yeovil, the Town boss is intent on giving his side the best possible chance come the post-season.

Cooper is prepared to sacrifice results between now and the end of the season if it means he is able to rest key players in the hope of heading into the first leg with a fully-fit squad.

It was an honest admission from Cooper, but having now categorised the remainder of Town’s campaign as a ‘three-game season’ his approach will have to be judged on the team’s performance in the play-offs.

“I have to make sure the team is given every possibility in the home and away legs to get to Wembley and make sure the team can then go to Wembley and win a game,” he told the local media.

“I’ve got to prepare for May 7 so that will mean that anybody who’s not 100 per cent won’t be risked. We have four games left and there’ll be an opportunity for people to play one or two of those games.

“It doesn’t mean we can’t win the games, but I think we have to be realistic. I want to make sure that we don’t go into the first play-off game with no energy, legs hanging off and not giving ourselves every opportunity.

“If every player that I think is going to play in that first leg plays every game between now and then, I don’t think they’d be in the right state physically or mentally. We’re going to try to put something in place whereby on May 7 we’re really ready to go.”

Massimo Luongo is one of those players who will be given a break, the Aussie has been carrying a hamstring problem for a while. Now with an opportunity to rest the midfielder, the Town boss will do so.

"It's just a little bit of a restriction (on Luongo). He's not fully able to let himself go 100 per cent in terms of a sprint, so I think it would make sense now to give him the option to be able to let himself go for the play-offs," Cooper added.

"If you listen to some he hasn't been trying and he's got his eyes on pastures new - we know within the group that's not right and he deserves the opportunity to be able to make sure that he is in tip top condition for the play-offs.”

The Swindon Advertiser was not permitted to attend Town’s pre-match press call today.