PAOLO Di Canio has dismissed any concerns that his Swindon players could be becoming distracted by the prospect of playing at Wembley, and has backed them to strengthen their hold on first place in League Two with a win over Torquay tonight.

Town saw their lead at the top of the standings cut to four points after they lost at Crewe on Saturday and Torquay won at Burton.

The Robins were far from at their best against the Railwaymen, prompting some suggestions that thoughts of playing in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final are starting to dominate the minds of the players.

Di Canio held frank discussions with his squad on Sunday and he has no doubt that his players are fully focussed on picking up three points against Torquay tonight.

“I have absolutely no worries about this,” he told the Advertiser.

“I have convinced the players that if they want to go to Wembley full of confidence then they have to perform well tonight.

“They can even lose, but the performance is crucial.

“If we don’t win the game but play the football we can and we are just absolutely unlucky then for the next few days they don’t need to feel hurt.

“I have told them in the last few days that it was not important that we lost at Crewe, that is done. However, what was important was the way we lost. That was the worst thing.

“I have the same principal now as I did when we were seventh in the league. If we perform well with the quality and desire that we have then we are better than most of, if not all of the sides in the league and being top proves this.

“The defeat happened but it is important to realise it was wrong and it was not the way to maintain being at the top of the league.”

Di Canio, meanwhile, has confirmed that he now intends to delve into the transfer market once again after seeing an area of his side that needs strengthening in the defeat to Crewe.

Paul Caddis is not yet fit, while fellow right back Nathan Thompson is also out through injury, but the Advertiser understands that Di Canio is looking at possibly bringing in another left back as well as a central midfielder.

“I am sure that someone will come,” he added. “I don’t want to say more because I want to focus on tonight’s game but I am very happy because the board is very happy to help this squad.

“We want a player who can come in like Lee Holmes and help us is in the final push in some way.

“If they can strengthen my squad and the players already here then we will look to bring them in.”