Billy Kirkman is hoping to follow in the footsteps of former Cymru Premier talents who have thrived in the EFL after joining Swindon Town.

There have been many players making the step from Wales into the English football pyramid who have had success in recent seasons, most notably Will Evans who scored 21 goals for Newport County last season after joining from Bala Town and has moved to Mansfield Town this summer.

Kirkman said that players like Evans have proved that Welsh players have the quality to make the step into the EFL and he is hoping to be the next cab off the rank.

He said: “I have played in Wales for most of my career, I went to TNS at 13 and then worked my way up to become a pro there and did two years with them.

“Last year I was on loan [at Aberstywyth] and played a lot of games and I think I had a couple of people watching me, Swindon being one of them.

“They gave me the chance to come down and thankfully I got a contract here and signed.

“The level here is different but it is what I have strived to achieve and so I have to keep working and maintain that level.

“There is a lot of talent in the Welsh league and a lot of them are coming over now and signing for League Two teams and showing that they can play at this level.”

Kirkman was on trial with Swindon throughout the entire summer before finally earning a contract hours before the first game at Chesterfield and has subsequently been on the bench for the opening three fixtures and he said he feels like he has the belief of Mark Kennedy.

He said: “I am quite well-rounded [as a player], as a defender you want to defend and keep clean sheets but I also want to get assists and help the team out in that way.

“[Kennedy] has said that he thinks that I am a good player and I can help the team out with the way that I play.

“[Was being on trial all summer a difficult experience?] A little bit but I think that you just have to get your head down and make sure that you can go and earn the contract.

“It has been good to be on the bench, the atmosphere has been good and I just can’t wait to play.”