Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway has shed light on George Cox’s absence from the matchday squad during their comprehensive 4-0 win at Fleetwood Town, confirming the defender was struck down by a stomach bug that has affected multiple players within the camp.
Cox, a regular starter since his arrival, was a surprise omission from the squad that travelled to Highbury Stadium, and Holloway has now revealed that the 25-year-old was ruled out late in the week after falling ill.
It is the same illness that had already hit goalkeeper Connor Ripley, who was also sidelined due to the effects of the bug, described by Holloway in blunt terms.
“It is horrible, being violently sick at one end and doing some dodgy things at the other which you shouldn’t be talking about. I am not having anybody with any sort of stomach bug anywhere near us, and that is what I said to Connor.”
With Jack Bycroft impressing in training, Holloway opted to start him in goal rather than risk Ripley, and similarly felt it unwise to include Cox, given the contagious nature of the illness.
A depleted squad pulls through
Swindon were already missing a long list of players ahead of the Fleetwood clash. Injuries have plagued the side in recent weeks, with Ollie Clarke, Joel McGregor, Ryan Delaney, Harrison Minturn, Grant Hall, and Aaron Drinan all unavailable. Danny Butterworth also picked up a hamstring issue late in the week, while Billy Kirkman was a doubt with a shoulder injury.
Kirkman ultimately featured, playing 77 minutes in the victory, but Cox’s late removal from the travelling squad continued an unfortunate trend for the Wiltshire club.
Despite this, the Robins put in arguably their best performance of the season, dismantling Fleetwood with ease, even without several first-team regulars. The win provided a rare bright moment in a campaign that’s seen more frustration than jubilation.
Swindon fans will now be hopeful of seeing both Cox and Ripley return to the fold for this Saturday’s home fixture against Bradford City, depending on their recovery from illness.
Drinan is confirmed to be out for the remainder of the season, and Hall remains a few weeks away from a return. Minturn has made progress in his recovery and has resumed running, though a return to full training is still pending.
With no play-off or relegation battle to worry about, Holloway has made it clear he won’t gamble with players’ fitness in the closing weeks of the campaign, preferring to look ahead to pre-season preparations.
Site opinion
Holloway’s candid handling of the squad’s sickness situation shows a manager focused on the long-term picture. With nothing at stake this season, it makes sense to shield players like Cox from unnecessary risk. The dominant display at Fleetwood also sends a message: this squad can still perform when called upon, even under strain. Expect sensible rotation and perhaps more academy faces in the weeks ahead.
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