Luke Williams: Charlie Colkett "couldn't care any less about what Bristol Rovers think"

Any suggestion that Charlie Colkett could struggle against potential Bristol Rovers boo-boys is nonsense as far as his head coach, Luke Williams, is concerned.

Colkett, 20, was briefly on loan at Bristol Rovers earlier on this season and scored three goals in 17 games in all competitions for the club in what was his first foray into the Football League since joining Chelsea in 2007.

He was recalled by his parent club in early January and less than a week later he signed for Swindon on loan until the end of the season.

Swindon and Bristol Rovers, two West County rivals, meet at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday and Colkett could be subject to a hostile reception from the Gas, but Town head coach Williams rubbished any suggestion that he could be daunted by getting booed by the home support.

"I don't think he could care any less, to be honest. I don't think any of us could care any less of what Bristol Rovers think, not one bit," Williams said.

"It certainly won't affect Charlie. I mean, the boy's been training with the likes of John Terry and God knows who else - the last thing on his mind is what Bristol Rovers think, to be honest.

"Playing in front of 14,000 at Bolton (January 14) is a far more challenging affair than playing against Bristol Rovers, with all due respect to Bristol Rovers, which is a club that I know, I played there as a young boy and it's a great club without any shadow (of a doubt).

"But Charlie is mentally strong to completely focus on his own performance and it really won't be an issue."

Loanee Colkett has only featured twice for the Robins so far but he has immediately made a positive impact on Swindon's fans and coaching staff. On his debut, against Bolton, he assisted an 89th-minute winner and on his home bow, last Saturday, he was awarded the man-of-the-match award by the sponsors.

Williams is pleased to have youngster Colkett among his ranks and explained how his loan at Bristol Rovers came to and end which allowed him to move across the M4 to the County Ground.

"I have spoken to Charlie and Charlie was on the bench for Bristol Rovers when they played against us, he went back to Chelsea and said 'you've sent me to the wrong club because the other team have all the ball'.

"I think, speaking to people at Bristol Rovers, they were obviously very impressed with Charlie but felt they needed somebody in midfield that would run beyond the front players more often than Charlie - he likes to recieve the ball to his feet.

"I think that was probably the reason why they felt they could free up a place in the squad to bring in a player more suitable for what they desire, of course that left an opportunity for us to bring him in."