Town boss Paul Jewell is hoping that striker Ronan Murray plays some part in this afternoon’s Johnstone's Paint Trophy final with loan club Swindon. The League Two leaders face League One table-proppers Chesterfield at Wembley (Sky Sports Two/HD2 1.30pm).
Jewell said: "Let’s hope he gets a game. I think it’s good experience for him that he’s gone to a team which is doing well — they’re top of the league and at Wembley. You just hope he plays some part because it’s not a nice place to go and not play.”
The 20-year-old Irishman, who signed a new Town deal until the end of 2012/13 in January, has made six starts and 13 sub appearances for Paolo Di Canio’s Robins, scoring three goals, since initially moving to the County Ground in November.
The Blues boss believes his time with the Wiltshire club will prove beneficial: "I think Ronan being in and around the first team seeing how it works and seeing the mental side of it as well as the physical side will be an education for him.
"I certainly know when I went to Wigan I didn’t realise how tough football at that level was. It’ll be a good eye-opener for him and hopefully will give him help in his education towards becoming a good player.”
Former Blues Academy striker Alan Connell is likely to be in Di Canio's starting line-up, as is ex-loan defender Jay McEveley, while former Blues loanee Jimmy Juan could be in the Spireites squad.
Photo: Action Images