MATCH PREVIEW: Swindon Town v Grimsby Town

SWINDON TOWN are back in action as they host an in-form Grimsby Town at SN1 with Richie Wellens' side looking to extend their lead at the top of League Two. Total Sport Swindon's Rajan Hothi previews the clash.

With Town's game against Scunthorpe United postponed last week, it offered the chance for the chasing pack to gain some ground on Swindon. But results have for the most part gone the Robins' way with Wellens' side still occupying the top spot in the division albeit on goal difference. 

You have to go back 11 days to when Swindon last played, as they ran out 1-0 winners against Northampton Town, but Town will be up against it as they host a Grimsby side that have seen their fortunes change under the leadership of Ian Holloway. 

Since taking charge of the Mariners, Holloway has steered Grimsby away from the relegation dogfight and comfortably into mid-table - with there being quiet talk of an unlikely play-off push. 

Since a 3-2 defeat at Crawley at the end of January, Grimsby have gone on a five-game unbeaten run which has seen them claim 11 points from a possible 15 - the pick of the bunch being a 3-2 away win at promotion-chasing Colchester United. 

Swindon's defence will have a job on their hands to keep Charles Vernam quiet with the 23-year-old bagging four goals in as many games, including an impressive hat-trick in the win at Colchester. 

Holloway's side have also proved difficult to beat on their travels and can boast the ninth-best away record in the division - just losing five of their 16 away games in League Two so far this season. 

However, what has been a breath of fresh air for Swindon this season is their home form. Town have won 11 of their 16 home games, and haven't lost in the league at home since September, making the County Ground a difficult place for away teams to pick up points at. 

Injuries have hit Swindon hard in the past couple of months, but the week rest has given a chance for a couple of players to come back from injury and back in contention for a place in the starting line-up against Grimsby. 

Previewing the game, Richie Wellens spoke to Total Sport Swindon and gave an update on the injury situation and the challenge Grimsby bring to the table. 

"Keshi is fit, but the only thing is we need some work into him, Baudry will probably be another week. Everyone else is fit, and we've got a strong squad," revealed Wellens.

"Paul Caddis is fit and has trained the last two days. He's a proper professional. If he has a niggle, he tells us straight away which allows his recovery time to be a lot quicker. 

"When they have the ball [Grimsby] they are very expressive like Holloway teams usually are, and he's turned them from a team that didn't score many goals into a goal threat.

"We've worked for both scenarios. If they want to press us we feel we've got the pace in our team to hurt them. If they want to sit deep, then we'll have to find a way to pick our way through, but we'll be focussing on what we do," he added.