Swindon captain and fan favourite Nathan Thompson is set to miss Tuesday evening’s clash with Bristol City after receiving his tenth booking of the season in the physical 3-0 defeat to fellow promotion-chasers MK Dons.
As a result he will miss both Tuesday’s derby at rivals City and Saturday’s game with Peterborough.
Thompson gained unwanted attention during the home leg between the West Country sides in November after he celebrated his side’s win wildly in front of the travelling fans from Bristol, with the away side’s fans turning to social media to voice their distain for the Swindon captain and calling for a ban.
Swindon boss, Mark Cooper, spoke earlier in the season about improving discipline this campaign, but was quick to defend his young captain this time round. “He shouldn’t have been booked – it was a good tackle and he got the ball – the referee was a bit hasty on that one.”
Nathan will not be the only Thompson missing the top of the table clash, with younger brother, Louis, missing out through injury. The younger Thompson was signed by Championship side Norwich City last summer in a deal worth around £600,00, rising to £1.3 million depending on appearances.
The 20 year-old, who was loaned back to the Wiltshire club for the 2014/15 season, had been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign but states he is determined to pay a further part in Swindon’s promotion push.
“I’d like to think I can play at least some part. I know I’m going to have to work hard in the gym and get as strong as I can possibly get,” said a stubborn Louis Thompson. ‘I’m gutted I didn’t give the fans the send off I wanted to. That’s what I’m working hard for. Even if it’s 30 seconds on 3 May, I’ll be happy with that.’
