TYLER Reid has the potential to turn into a top player, but he is in desperate need of game time that can aid his development.

That’s Richie Wellens’ assessment of Swindon Town’s fringe right-back, who was an unused substitute for loan club Wrexham at the weekend as they lost 3-1 to Sutton United.

Defeat meant the Red Dragons remained in the National League’s relegation frame, although manager Bryan Hughes was boosted last week by news that Town had agreed to extend Reid’s loan spell in north Wales after he had only just recovered from a thigh injury he sustained against Yeovil Town.

Wellens has always held Reid’s ability in high regard after first encountering the now 22-year-old four seasons ago while working under Paul McGuinness at Manchester United.

But the defender has so far failed to break into Town’s first team on a regular basis, with Paul Caddis the current preferred option.

Quizzed about Reid’s future in Town’s first team, Wellens said: “Tyler Reid can be a top player, but he needs to get some games into him and get that physical resilience to play first team football.

“He is part of four full-backs we’ve got – Ellis Iandolo can play full-back as well. Our options at full-back are very good.

“Tyler picked up an injury when he first went to Wrexham, that’s held him back.”

Meanwhile, Town’s position at the top of the League Two table this Christmas predictably means nothing at this moment to Wellens.

Recent history favours Town – only two teams that have been top at Christmas in the last decade have failed to go on and win promotion.

Wellens added: “Obviously, I would’ve taken it if you offered me top spot at Christmas.

“But it’s about who is top at the end of April.

“If we’ve got to fight, dig in, or grind out a result then we will have to do that. In the next couple of months, we will find out what this group has got.”