NATHAN Thompson believes the hamstring that saw him hobble out of Town’s play-off final defeat after three minutes is now stronger than ever before.

The Swindon skipper has spent a lot of the summer getting back to full fitness, working with Joe Alford at Body Revolution in Chippenham to repair the damage done trying to rush back for Wembley.

As part of that process, Thompson has been eased back into on-field action, only making his first start of pre-season in the defeat at Solihull Moors.

Since then the 24-year-old has been asked to move around the backline, shuffling from right-back to centre-half as Town try out different systems.

On Saturday against West Brom, Thompson looked back to his old self, marauding out of defence with the ball at his feet.

The defender clearly feels comfortable stretching his legs, which can only be a good thing for the Robins.

"The hamstring is feeling strong and, touch wood, there is no reoccurrences this season because we've certainly done everything we can to make sure it is right,” Thompson told the local media.

"I worked hard in the summer and full credit to the physio, he was in the gym with me as soon as I came back from holiday and that is to make sure I don't break down this season.

"Thankfully we had near enough six weeks to get the hamstring back to full fitness and it is feeling good now, I've done plenty of sprint work to make sure that it is stronger than ever before.

"It was extremely disappointing to finish the season the way we did after all of the hard work we put in, but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

“I'm sure the boys that are here from last season will be making sure we can try and put that right. “Nursing the hamstring injury was extremely frustrating and I was very low after the game.

“The first two weeks was about complete rest and making sure that the muscle could knit back properly together.

"Then it was rehab and I had the physio on the phone near enough every other day making sure that I was doing the exercises – it stood me in good stead.”

Thompson is one of the few remaining players from the side that took to the field at Wembley and will have to get used to some new faces in the changing room.

The skipper has been encouraged by the performances of Jordan Williams, Kevin Stewart, Brandon Ormonde-Ottowille and Drissa Traore so far in pre-season and thinks they are adapting quickly to Town’s style.

"I think they've been fantastic - you've seen that from the performances they've put in," added Thompson.

"Considering they've only been in the team the last two weeks and the style we play is very different to anywhere else, it is extremely encouraging and what it does show as well is that teams at the top are trusting us with their youngsters and that's certainly a good sign."