PHIL Brown has pledged to reintegrate Lawrence Vigouroux back into the Swindon Town squad if he retains the managerial reins at the Energy Check County Ground next season.
Vigouroux, currently on loan at League of Ireland Premier Division side Waterford – owned by Town chairman Lee Power – until the end of the season, has already joined in with training sessions at Town since Brown has been in charge, with the boss suggesting he could take command between the posts again next season.
The Chilean gloveman, 24, found himself on the wrong side of former manager David Flitcroft earlier this season, first sitting out a further eight games after receiving a four-match ban for comments made to match officials in the wake of the home loss to Coventry City in September, then being axed for a breach of club discipline after he and James Brophy went on a night out in Swindon after the 1-0 win at home to Notts County at the end of December.
Vigouroux subsequently revealed on social media he was seeking a fresh start away from Town but mooted moves abroad failed to materialise and he then headed to Ireland.
Brown, though, appears to be a fan, having had to deal with another goalkeeping disciplinary issue with Reice Charles-Cook prior to Saturday’s goalless draw with Colchester United.
“If you look at Lawrence Vigouroux, a player that’s played for Premier League teams, he’s on loan now at Waterford. I don’t get that,’’ said Brown.
“Having said that, I understand a manager wanting to get a player out.
“But having been asked by Lawrence if he can come back to train with us, I welcomed that.
“I said at the time we were focussed on reaching the play-offs and I didn’t want any disruption.
“He was a joy, a pleasure, to have around the place.
“If there was ever a quiet moment, Lawrence was the man to break that silence. You always heard him, he was the life and soul of the party.
“That’s the player I like – that’s a simple translation of one man’s DNA and another.
“If I am manager next season, yes there’s a future for Lawrence at Swindon Town.”
Charles-Cook returned between the posts for Town’s trip to Newport County two weeks ago after being sidelined for a month with a wrist injury.
But his position as Brown’s first-choice goalkeeper lasted only two games as Stuart Moore found himself back in the starting 11 on Saturday for what was his ninth start in a Town shirt this season.
The manager revealed Charles-Cook had been disciplined for being late for training sessions, prompting the change
He added: “As a manager, I’m sick to death of making changes – I had to make several against Colchester.
“I’ve had a discipline problem with one of the goalkeepers that played for us last week, turning up late on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“That isn’t good enough. It’s a horrendous attitude, horrendous mentality, to have to try and take money off people to understand they’ve got a job to do.
“I put Stuart Moore back in goal. He would’ve felt a bit aggrieved at the fact he’d been left out and Cookie (Reice Charles-Cook) went in last week.
“I think Stuart played very well against Colchester. He commands his area when crosses come in, certainly when he’s under pressure, and he wants the two centre halves to head the ball, and Rollin (Menayese) did.
“There are lots of things to admire, but there’s loads of room for improvement.”
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