Toumani Diagouraga unavailable for Swindon

Posted Friday, November 09, 2018 by PA

Midfielder Toumani Diagouraga is out of League Two Swindon’s FA Cup first-round clash with non-league York.

The Frenchman suffered a torn thigh muscle in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Southampton on Tuesday and is set to be sidelined for a month.

Manager Phil Brown will also be without leading scorer Michael Doughty, who has a nasty infection in his right foot, while striker Marc Richards is out with a thigh strain.

However, skipper Olly Lancashire is available after scans revealed he sustained no lasting damage following a clash of heads during last weekend’s 1-0 league defeat at Colchester.

York skipper Joe Tait will miss out as he begins a three-match ban following his red card during last weekend’s 4-1 National League North home defeat by Bradford Park Avenue.

Tait was dismissed following an off-the-ball clash with Bradford striker Jake Beesley 25 minutes into the game.

Midfielder Simon Heslop will also be absent after being ruled out for eight weeks by a knee injury which has required surgery, while defender Dan Parslow continues to be assessed as he works his way back from a knee problem.

York boss Sam Collins will know exactly what to expect from Brown having played for him during his time in charge at Hull, while he also played on loan for the Robins during the 2007-08 season.