Over the last fortnight, Swindon have hit upon a system that seems to make them more solid defensively and more creative in attack, and this won them five points from three games against sides likely to be challenging at the top of the table this term.

A spanner has been thrown into those plans, as Sam Inwood has had a Grade 2 hamstring tear that will see him miss five to six weeks; Ollie Clarke, who can also fill in there, has the same injury, and Ryan Tafazolli is still a few weeks away.

This leaves Town with five likely options for three positions in the new system, with only Kaelan Majekodunmi and Stephan Negru being natural central defenders. Billy Kirkman can also fill in, but he is also a knock away from starting at left wing-back; James Ball has tended to be used at the back, but has spent much of his career in midfield; and James Debayo came through as a centre-back, but he is yet to play a league game at centre-back for Swindon.

Billy Kirkman is likely to start at the back for Swindon Town (Image: Andy Crook)

The starting back three for now will likely be Majekodunmi on the right, Negru in the middle, and Kirkman on the left, but in a team that has struggled with injuries consistently, it is a precarious position.

Many will point to Mabete as a potential solution. The DR Congo youth international impressed last season and has done well on loan at Forest Green Rovers so far, emphasised by him scoring, getting a clean sheet, and being named in the Team of the Week against Eastleigh on Wednesday.

Recalling him from that loan is not an option, as there is no recall clause in the deal that will see him at the New Lawn until January.

Holloway said: “I knew that, but he could get 23 games tucked under his belt, and that's what he needs. He's a great fella, but he has got to grow up. You only grow up when you get bashed about, and you're winning and losing and winning and losing, and it matters.”

Not being able to call on Mabete means that Swindon will need to rely on the players that they have internally. The positive is that Swindon have signed a number of defenders who are physical and revel in winning headers, which is something that they did not have last year, and caused problems when Tafazolli was not available.

Negru has turned into a natural leader this season, and Ball also has those qualities to help Kirkman and Majekodunmi as less experienced players in the team.

The wildcard in this equation is Debayo. The 21-year-old has come through at Leeds United and Hull City as a centre-back, but his six League Two appearances have come in midfield and at right-back. In the Jersey Mike’s Trophy, he has played in a back three and was used as a player who stepped out with the ball to play, giving Holloway another option for how to attack.

His time at Swindon so far has been difficult, but Holloway said: “People are getting better all the time. All I can do is find out where they are and help them get over this. James Debayo looks like a totally different player at the moment, which is great. And he needed to, because it wasn't very nice what happened to him a couple of weeks ago. I've left him out and encouraged him; hopefully, you'll see a better end.”

Having name-checked Miguel Freckleton a few weeks ago, could this injury crisis see Debayo emulate his metamorphosis?