MATT Ritchie conceded he is not quite the same player without Paul Caddis in the side and is desperate for the Swindon skipper to return to fitness as soon as possible.

The pair have developed such a good understanding this season that they have been seen as one of the most feared right-sided partnerships in League Two.

Caddis, though, has been out of the side since the 4-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge at the start of March, when he hobbled off with an ankle injury.

His absence has been telling with the right side of the team, and Ritchie in particular, less effective than it has been in the past.

Caddis aggravated his injury in training just over a week ago and is not expected to return to action until mid-April, and Ritchie admitted his own game has been affected by the Scot’s absence.

“Cads is a massive part of our team,” he said. “The boys who have come in at right back have done great but Cads is one of our best players.

“He is a very important to us and to be honest it has not felt the same with him not there. Personally, I am missing him and I think the team are as well.

“We have a great understanding and I understand what he wants and he understands what I want so we link up well. Hopefully as soon as he is fit we can get back to doing that.

“He does not just bring quality to the team but he gets the lads going as well and the sooner he is back the better.”

Ritchie, like the majority of the team, was not at his best in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy last Sunday, and he admitted the pressure of playing on such a big stage as Wembley may have got to him.

But the winger has vowed to use that experience to ensure he does not become overawed should he get the chance to play there again in the future.

“I have to admit the pressure maybe did get to me a little bit but I have learned from that experience,” he added.

“Hopefully if I get another opportunity to play on a stage like that I can take what I learned from that game and put a better display on next time and know how to deal with it.”