Michael Flynn said he would have to play himself if Swindon Town got more injuries as he continues to monitor the free-agent market.

Swindon confirmed the capture of defender Williams Kokolo prior to their match against Stockport County, but between having a squad of 21 players and a lengthy injury list, they are still struggling for players to pick from.

Flynn had seven players unavailable to him against Harrogate Town at the weekend, meaning that Tom Brewitt was the only outfielder on the Swindon bench with more than five EFL appearances and the defender was chosen to replace Charlie Austin in the second half with the game still level.

The Swindon manager said that he felt he had to continue looking at the external options that were immediately available to him in the market due to the number of injuries in his squad limiting his options.

He said: “I am going to keep looking [at free agents]; if we get any more injuries then I am going to have to play myself.

“It is tough, but we stick together. We stick together and we don’t use any excuses, and then we go and strengthen in January. That is all we can do.”

Harrison Minturn starting in place of Brewitt was one of two changes that Flynn made to his starting 11 at the EnviroVent Stadium, with the other being an injury-enforced switch in the middle of midfield as Liam Kinsella came in to replace George McEachran.

McEachran and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy both dropped out of the squad after sustaining injuries in training during the week.

Flynn explained his thinking behind the change at the back, saying that he felt Brewitt needed the rest after not being fully back up to speed after missing two games with a concussion he suffered against Salford City.

He said: “My thinking was that Tom needed to come out, I don’t think he has come back quite the same since his concussion.

“He is a good lad and a good pro, and he took it really well. I just thought that Harrison would give us that little bit more pace and I thought he deserved the chance.

“Both [McEachran and Hepburn-Murphy] have had scans and both have come back clear, [there was] nothing wrong, just discomfort.

“I am hopeful [they will be available to play against Mansfield Town], but it will be symptom-based and how they respond.”