REICE Charles-Cook ‘fully deserves to keep his position’ in goal, according to David Flitcroft after the Swindon Town boss revealed he will remain between the sticks for this weekend’s trip to Port Vale.

Charles-Cook has started the last four fixtures for Town in League Two after regular number one Lawrence Vigouroux was hit with a ban for comments made to match officials in the aftermath of the 2-1 defeat at home to Coventry City on September 26.

Swindon have won twice and lost twice in that period, with Charles-Cook claiming his first clean sheet for the club in last Saturday’s 1-0 success at home to Wycombe Wanderers.

Post-match, the 23-year-old conceded he would not feel hard done by should Vigouroux reclaim his place in goal but Flitcroft has now confirmed that Charles-Cook will be given the nod once more at Vale Park.

Charles-Cook only joined Town on transfer deadline day this summer, signing on a free from Coventry, and having initially served as back-up to Vigouroux, Flitcroft says the onus is now on the latter to win back the jersey.

“It’s no secret that if you are doing well for me in training and doing well for me in games then you will start. I think Reice has been fantastic in what he has had to do,” said Flitcroft.

“From our doing, not Reice’s goalkeeping ability, he has not got the three clean sheets that he probably deserves.

“Reice’s all-round game has been fantastic and he fully deserves to keep his position.

“I expect anyone, if they are playing or not playing, to respond in the most professional and respectful manner. That’s what I unequivocally ask for from any player at this club.

“We are in it together. There is no such thing as a second string or a number two and the players know that.

“I have got a group that are always trying to push the players that are in the team. They know how important that is and that will continue while I am manager.”

Flitcroft has put an emphasis on squad discipline since taking over at the Energy Check County Ground this summer, with Vigouroux’s fate proving breaches of that can be costly.

“It’s a lesson for any player if they step out of line or don’t toe the line with what we want as a club and respect our values and respect the discipline cores that we have now put in place,” said Flitcroft.

“Swindon has got to know what the values are of its football club and the values of its badge. We expect players to act in a certain way and if they don’t, they will feel the repercussions of that.”