TOUMANI Diagouraga is ready to slot in the heart of Swindon Town’s midfield as he looks to stake a claim for a regular starting spot.

Frenchman Diagouraga has had a up-and-down time since arriving on a free transfer in the summer as he took no part in pre-season training at former side Fleetwood Town.

The 31-year-old was therefore forced to work hard in order to build his fitness, before hitting another hurdle when he was sent off during Town’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Crawley Town in August.

Now with his pre-season nightmare and suspension behind him, the former Brentford man is ready to play and help restore the team to winning ways at Yeovil Town today.

“I have had ups and downs in my career, so it is part of football. It (pre-season) wasn’t great, I wish I had an opportunity at least, but it wasn’t meant to be,” said Diagouraga.

“I don’t think my red card helped but I am back and I am available now to get into the team.

“Bury last weekend was an off day. In 46 league games, it is going to happen, but I am sure we will have more good days than bad ones.

“We just have to forget about it, move on and get back to winning ways – Saturday is the perfect time to do that.

“We know a little bit about Yeovil but we will have meetings and by the time the game kicks off, we will know everything we need to know.”

Positionally, Diagouraga often plays as a deep midfielder, providing protection to the defence and giving freedom to Swindon’s more forward-thinking midfielders, such as Michael Doughty and Steven Alzate.

Youngsters Sid Nelson and Luke Woolfenden have established themselves as Phil Brown’s regular centre-back pairing and despite their youth, Diagouraga is more than happy to take direction from the loan duo.

“You have to make sure that when the other two go, you’re that security behind them helping out the back four,” said. Diagouraga.

“I’ve played that position for a while, so I know it quite well.

“I enjoy the position, and from the get-go, I have always said to the players to shout, left, right, up and down.

“As a team, we have to communicate, that is the only way we are going to be successful.

“I speak to the younger players more during the training sessions, but during the games, the striker will be behind me, so they’ll know more than me.

“They’ll be able to tell me if he is going left or right, it’s all about communication – it doesn’t matter if they’re 20 or 35.

“I don’t mind people screaming at me if it helps the team.”