James Ball has returned to Swindon Town training after suffering a hamstring injury as their selection crisis is starting to ease.
Since returning to pre-season at the start of July, Swindon have dealt with injuries to 14 different players at various points in the summer.
This has included long-term problems for Gavin Kilkenny, Fletcher Holman, and Joel McGregor, alongside Harry Smith continuing his return from the anterior cruciate ligament rupture he suffered against Barnet on August 19, 2025.
Ball has been among this group as he suffered a Grade 2A hamstring tear in the final run of the warm-up before Swindon faced Bristol City a month ago.
After an injury-hit first season at the Nigel Eady County Ground, this was a major frustration as he looks to try to establish himself as an option at centre-back, right-back, and centre-midfield in Ian Holloway’s squad.
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The initial diagnosis expected the former AFC Wimbledon man to be back in around four weeks, and he is close to that schedule, having returned to training in the next week.
Swindon are not yet quite sure when he is likely to be back in the frame to be part of a squad, but he is making strong progress.
Holloway said: “He's started back out on the grass, and he's joining in slightly. So that'll be good news. I can't tell you when because I don't ask about it. I'm only trying to deal with this weekend.”
After having so many issues with injuries, Swindon are starting to get some players back to help fill out their squad.
Anthony Munda and James Debayo will come into the squad this weekend, likely enabling Swindon to field a full 18-man matchday squad for the first time this season, even with Joseph Hungbo dealing with a thigh issue.
Next week against Oldham Athletic is expected to mark the return of Paul Glatzel and Joe Snowdon from their respective hamstring struggles.
Sam Inwood is likely to be back a week after that against Colchester United, further adding to the defensive options that Holloway has available to him.
The issues that Swindon have had with injuries, as well as their signings arriving late without having had full pre-seasons themselves, has complicated matters now the competitive action has begun.
Ollie Clarke, Ollie Palmer, and Ryan Tafazolli have all had their minutes managed in the first two weeks of the season, a strategy that will continue, and those coming back from injuries will also need a careful approach to their returns.
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