WINLESS Brentford are expected to be boosted by the return of former Premier League striker Carl Cort for their trip to the County Ground this weekend.
The ex-Wimbledon and Newcastle man has missed the start of the Bees' season with an Achilles injury, but is back in training and will at least be on the bench as he bids to improve the fortunes of a side who have lost both of their opening League One fixtures.
However, wide man Sam Wood looks likely to miss out after taking a knock in last Saturday's loss against Walsall, with Myles Weston - who himself has only just recovered from a groin injury - taking his place on the left flank.
Brentford boss Andy Scott said: "Myles is much better now after his back problem caused his groin to tighten.
"Carl has been training this week and may be available for Saturday, while Kirk Hudson's recovery is coming along nicely."
Swindon's west London opponents have been strongly tipped to be the division's surprise package this term after bringing in players like Toumani Diagouraga, Nicky Forster, Gary Alexander and Robbie Simpson.
And Town assistant manager Peter Shirtliff is relishing the challenge.
"If you look at them (Brentford), they have obviously invested," he said.
"They are having a go and did quite well last season in fairness to them. They are going to be a tough side to beat, with some decent players. They are established now at this level and will be looking to push on and challenge for the play-off positions.
"But we are looking to win the game, like we do every game. And if we can perform to anywhere near our capabilities and don't give cheap goals away, I'm confident we can get the right result."
This Is Swindon Town
ALEX McCarthy wants to extend his stay at Brentford - if Reading let him.
The 20-year-old keeper made his Bees debut in Saturday's defeat against Walsall after arriving on a 28-day loan last week.
He is way down the pecking order at the Madejski, with Adam Federici and former Bee Ben Hamer ahead of him, but is due to return to the Royals at the beginning of next month.
The England U21 international spent a season-long loan at Yeovil last year, and is desperate for boss Brian McDermott to let him stay at Griffin Park.
He said: "It's massive for me to be playing regularly. To go from playing 45 games last season to going to Reading and only playing a handful of games is hard.
"You want to be playing every week to help your development. I still feel a little bit rusty and need to get back into the flow of things.
"There was a chance that Federici might be going so they only wanted me to go out for a month, but it looks like he's staying now.
"I'd definitely be willing to stay longer. There's a good bunch of lads here and the gaffer's a top man.
"It gives both clubs a chance to have a look at it, and if they want me to stay then hopefully it will get extended."
Ealing Gazette
Brentford's
Charlie MacDonald reckons Saturday's trip to Swindon Town has a lot riding on it for two teams struggling to recapture the form of last season.
The Bees have opened up their League One campaign with two defeats, while Danny Wilson's Robins have done little better in securing just a point.
Boss Andy Scott's men have the consolation of having at least secured passage into the next round of the Carling Cup and a meeting with Championship side Hull City.
And MacDonald says both teams will be desperate to get their League One campaigns up and running at the County Ground.
"Swindon were beaten play-off finalists last year and they have lost some big players over the summer," he said.
"Billy Paynter has gone and so has their captain. They've not started too clever.
"It is one of them games where both teams want to get the ball rolling so I'm sure it will be a great game."
And Scott reckons only hard graft is going to right the wrongs of last weekend.
"We'll keep working on everybody to make sure we improve for a tough game," he added.
"Hopefully, we can get everyone on the training ground and work with them on Monday and Tuesday then on Thursday, and then Friday we'll work towards the Swindon game."
Brentford's next three games: Aug 21 Swindon Town (a), 24 Hull City (LCup, h), 28 Rochdale (h).
Your Local Guardian
Leicester City midfielder Nicky Adams has joined League One side Brentford.
The 23-year-old midfielder had rejected an offer to join the Bees during the summer, choosing instead to fight for a place in the City line-up under new boss Paulo Sousa following the departure of Nigel Pearson.
Brentford said concerns over Adams' knee following surgery in the summer and the structure of the deal were also factors in the deal collapsing.
But after failing to force himself into Sousa's plans, even after he was used as an experimental right-back during pre-season, Adams has decided to leave for first-team football.
The two clubs had initially agreed a fee, believed to be £175,000, but Brentford said the new deal had been 'significantly restructured'.
"I was genuinely disappointed earlier this summer when we were unable to complete Nicky's transfer," said Bees boss Andy Scott.
"It was, however, the right decision at the time for all parties to apply some common sense and patience, and review the position once Nicky had got back into the pre-season schedule with some time on the training pitch
"He played throughout Leicester's pre-season programme without reaction to the injury and I am delighted that we have finally managed to bring him on board.
"Nicky has proven pedigree at this level and will undoubtedly strengthen the ability of the squad."
The Blue Army
DAVID Lucas is prepared to dish out a few slaps in the County Ground dressing room before tomorrow's League One clash with Brentford.
But Town fans need not worry about in-fighting between the club's stars, with the goalkeeper merely taking on the role of motivator-in-chief ahead of kick-off.
Lucas has been concerned by Swindon's uncharacteristic approach to matches this season - in which they are yet to taste victory - and as a keen rugby fan, the 32-year-old has dipped into his love of the oval-ball game for an idea of how to ensure he and his teammates are 'revved up' before they meet the Bees.
"We seemed to have our head in the clouds for the first few minutes on Saturday at Hartlepool - me as much as anyone - and maybe we should be a bit like what you see in the British Lions videos," the former Preston man told the Advertiser.
"They all rev each other up in the changing rooms before the game, and maybe it would take something as silly as that to get us going and go out there with a mean attitude.
Read more in the Gazette and Herald
