SWINDON Town manager Richie Wellens praised the resilience of his squad after yet more bad news threatened to derail the club’s promotion aspirations this week.

Rotherham United loanee Jerry Yates was recalled by his parent club on Wednesday, leaving the Town boss with significantly reduced options up front following Eoin Doyle’s exit to Bradford City a fortnight prior.

However, the unveiling of Carlisle United forward Hallam Hope on the same day gave Town fans a touch more hope that all is not lost in regard to goalscoring, though Wellens sees his newest recruit as more of a wide man in the long run.

The Town manager reported his team had been in good spirits all week and training was of an excellent standard both before and after the squad change-up on Wednesday.

Asked who he leaves to self-motivate the changing room when times are tough, Wellens said: “I look at Mathieu Baudry, Danny Rose, Luke McCormick, Anthony Grant, Michael Doughty – the experienced players and ones that have played the majority of the games – to keep spirits high and make sure the rest of the players stay focused.

“The quality of training this week has been exceptional, so in terms of us losing Jerry (Yates), did it impact us in training? Probably not.

“It’s just about us getting on with it. We’re all men, we all suffer setbacks.

“We’ve suffered a lot more than most in terms of what the season has thrown at us, but we’ve actually come through all of those scenarios and we’re doing alright aren’t we?

“We just need to come through a few more scenarios and keep doing what we’re doing.”

Wellens has highlighted the spirit and mutual respect within the squad several times so far this season, and the 39-year-old believes the squad harmony all stemmed from an initial conversation with the players in pre-season training.

Told each member would be given a fair shot in the team so long as 100 per cent effort was implemented, players such as Ellis Iandolo and Danny Rose are testament to Wellens’ promise.

The Town manager said the reason his team are able to come through so many difficult moments is because their relationship is such that many setback do not significantly faze them.

Wellens said: “Throughout the season, I’ve always been fair to the players and I’ve told them that when they get their chance – no matter who is waiting in the wings – and I’ve stuck with them until I’ve needed to freshen up.

“My first day of pre-season, the message was: ‘if you give me everything, I’ll be fair to you and I’ll give you every opportunity to play every week’.

“And I think I’ve stuck by my word.”