EDDIE HOWE won't be part of Town's final promotion push but the Portsmouth defender is confident Andy King's men will be gracing the First Division stage next season.

An ankle injury and upturn in results have combined to thwart the 26-year-old of first team football at the County Ground and he has headed back to Fratton Park.

There is no bitterness on his part and no-one will be more delighted than Howe if Town end the season with a triumph at the Millennium Stadium.

Victory at Wycombe Wanderers today would bring the play-off dream ever closer.

Howe said: "I was only at Swindon for a short time but I was very impressed with the quality of the squad and the manager's drive.

"The play-offs are a bit of a lottery but I firmly believe the lads can go all the way.

"There are no hard feelings. It's just unfortunate. I need to be playing matches and the manager wasn't about drop lads who'd done ever so well for him this year."

King too insists Howe's frustrating spell in Wiltshire was an unlucky one.

He said: "There's no arguments between Eddie and me.

"If he'd been fit to start after the poor performances at Wrexham or Peterborough, it might have been different.

"The first time he was fit was after Luton and I wasn't going to change it.

"After two years out, he wishes to play reserve team football rather than sit on the bench at Swindon."

While Howe's departure reduces King's defensive options, he has several other selection headaches, particularly in attack.

He said: "There are two striking positions available. You'll just have to wait and see what I do. It's a headache any manager would want though.

"All I can say is that the decisions I make are for the benefit of the team."

As for Wycombe Wanderers, King is not sure what to expect from the already relegated Chairboys.

All he does know is that there will be less razzmatazz than for Town's FA Cup visit earlier in the campaign.

King said: "That was a totally different situation, being Tony's first match as a manager. We are on a high this time and the momentum's with us."

King knows victory would almost see Town across the play-off line.

He said: "There are a million equations as to what could happen. It's close and I want it that badly.

"All I know is that if we win our games, that's what will matter. We are one of the best six teams in this division.

"Let's hit a vein of form and go into the play-offs filled with confidence. It's bound to give you an advantage.

"There are four hurdles remaining. It's down to the players. Can they find the games within them?

"Have they got the nerve and the desire to cross the line? I think if we finish fourth that would be a very good summing up of our season and the least we deserve."