JON WORTHINGTON has been told to carry on tackling despite being just one yellow card from a three-match ban.
Town's skipper was booked for the 14th time this season in Saturday's 4-1 win against Rotherham at the Galpharm.
Another caution before the end of the campaign will earn an automatic three-game ban from the Football Association and hamper Town's bid to claim an automatic promotion place.
"It's something which is hanging over Worthy, but I don't want him to change his game," said manager Peter Jackson today.
"It's important he remains positive and continues to do what he has been doing - driving the side on.
"I think he's been a bit unlucky with a number of bookings this season and, even on Saturday, I can think of a number of referees who would have just given him a strong talking to so early in the game."
Worthington - who was cautioned by referee Colin Webster after only four minutes for a foul on Stephen Quinn - will be hauled before the FA's disciplinary chiefs if he collects 20 bookings.
Worthington missed the Swindon match in October as his first ban this season and then the FA Cup trip to Chelsea and following League trip to Scunthorpe for his second.
Jackson, at least, has options to replace him and Michael Collins and Adnan Ahmed - who made his return (briefly) from the bench for the first time since January against Rotherham - will be partners in the Reserves against Oldham at the Galpharm tomorrow (2.00).
With the senior side facing a vital match at Port Vale only three days later, Gary Taylor-Fletcher and David Mirfin will not be risked in John Dungworth's side
Striker Pawel Abbott (inset) had been pencilled in to start, but he has been withdrawn after suffering an adverse reaction to his back problem when returning to training
"Pav has been working hard and was building things up nicely until Friday, but he's now feeling sore again," explained Jackson. "We'll have to see how he goes."
Town Reserves Rachubka, Walls, Hardy, McCombe, Skarz, Young, Ahmed, Collins, Racchi, Biddle, McAliskey.
