SWINDON Town head coach Scott Lindsey says there is no issue with midfielder Louis Reed, and his exclusion from the starting XI in recent weeks is simply down to the excellent form of peer Saidou Khan.

Reed has played 11 times this season in all competitions but has only started once since the 1-0 victory at home to Newport County at the start of October – an EFL Trophy defeat away at Bristol Rovers.

During the early weeks of the current campaign, Reed had been performing below the sparkling levels of last season which saw him claim several club awards.

Following an injury which kept him out of the Grimsby Town win, Reed had found it difficult to hold down a place in the first team thanks to the burgeoning form of Khan in the midfield-anchor role.

Due to one of the club’s stand-out players being regularly left on the bench by Lindsey, fans have begun to speculate that something more serious than a simple loss of form is keeping Reed away.

The Town boss, however, says the actual reason for Reed biding his time on the bench is far less scandalous.

Lindsey said: “Unfortunately for Reedy, Saidou Khan is playing out of his skin at the moment.

“It’s clear to see that Saidou is playing so well, and a lot of our attacks are starting with Saidou picking the ball up and driving forward.

“Reedy has done nothing wrong, he really hasn’t, and I feel for him. But at the moment, he might just have to be a little bit patient.

“I know he will because he’s a great pro, he trains hard all the time. He’s a great footballer, and he suits our style, but at the moment, Saidou has been outstanding for us.”

Concern among fans for Reed’s prospects grew further when – in a possession battle against Bradford City – the 25-year-old possession wizard was left out once more.

Lindsey stated again that he believed totally in Khan’s abilities, and that his Reed-less side was good enough to have potentially taken all three points against a promotion rival.

Lindsey said: “We want that competition for places, and that’s why we build a squad. That’s why I’ve signed these players and that’s why we’ve got what we’ve got. Because you want this competition, you want players to come in and do well.

“It didn’t bother me, changing three players when we come to Bradford – who are in the play-off positions – it didn’t bother me at all. I really fancied us to win the other night.

“I think it was clear to see, certainly in the second half, that we were good value for at least a point – probably better value than what we actually got.”