UNHAPPY Alan Reeves is desperate to put a nightmare two months behind him and start smiling again.

The Town skipper has missed the last nine games with a knee injury and with an almost 'perfect' injury-free career record he is slowly cracking up with frustration.

The 34-year-old suffered medial ligament damage to his right knee in the home win over Cambridge in October and he has been out ever since.

He said: "It's fair to say I'm not a happy chappy at the moment.

"I've had knocks and strains during my career but this is the first time, apart from a spell when I first came to Swindon, that I've been injured for any length of time."

Reeves was a virtual ever-present last season, missing just two games. On top of that he missed only three matches the season before.

He said: "When you're involved so much, it seems to hurt that bit more when you're out.

"With hindsight, maybe I tried to come back too quickly. I had a fitness test on the morning of the game at Wycombe when it might have been better to just rest.

"But that's the way I am. I just want to play.

"I've been doing a lot of strengthening work so hopefully it won't be too long before I can kick a ball again."

The defender knows he has a tough task on his hands with messrs Ruddock, Gurney, Heywood and Willis all determined to keep him out of the side once he is back to fitness.

He said: "That's what happens when you're out for a spell. You can't expect to walk straight back in."

While Reeves remains sidelined there is better news for James Williams.

The young midfielder has not played since March but he is expected to enjoy a run-out for the reserves at Luton Town this afternoon (2pm).

With Williams on the way back, the only long term casualties are Gareth Davies and Alan Young, with the latter making steady progress.

However, David Duke picked up a knock against Hereford but should recover in time for the visit of Huddersfield Town on Saturday.