MATT Hewlett is facing a long injury lay-off after suffering knee damage in Saturday's defeat at Boundary Park.

The tough-tackling midfielder was due to see a specialist today (Tuesday, October 17) for a scan on the injured joint, which manager Colin Todd fears could keep the player out for a number of weeks.

Hewlett was substituted midway through the first half after a clash with Oldham's Paul Smith.

The summer signing from Bristol City has started every game for Swindon this season but will definitely miss tonight's match against Swansea.

He could also be out of action for the forthcoming clashes with Bristol Rovers and Millwall.

Todd said: "Matt is having a scan on the knee joint and it may be that he has some ligament damage. We won't know until the results come through how long he will be out, but it will be a huge blow for us.

"He has been one of the success stories of the season. He has been in consistent form and it would be very disappointing if the damage was serious."

Hewlett's omission is likely to be one of many changes Todd makes to the line-up for tonight's trip to Wales.

Striker Gary Alexander (ankle) and defender Adam Willis (knee) are likely to be out of contention after picking up injuries in the disappointing trip to Lancashire.

Todd could also look to switch around his options up front with Alexander missing and Martin Williams failing to make an impact.

Fit-again Bobby Howe looks certain to return to the heart of midfield while strikers Giuliano Grazioli and Mark Robertson could team up in a new attacking partnership.

Todd said: "There is nothing better than, after being beaten at the weekend, to get out there a few days later with another match to get it right. The players need to put the Oldham result behind them and they have a great chance of getting a decent result.

"There will be changes to the side, some forced through injuries. I do not like making changes. I want a settled side, but we will need to shake things up a bit."

Meanwhile, defender Willis revealed how the club's senior players had attempted to rally the squad following Saturday's defeat at Boundary Park.

"Maybe we have been a bit too easy on each other up until now. A few of the senior boys went around the dressing room saying that we've got to put things right quickly," said Willis.

"We can't wait for the manager or his coaching staff to do it, we've got to put things right ourselves.

"We can't be going back to what it was like last season. We've got to find some consistency, get ourselves on a decent run and start climbing the table. There's no better place to start than Swansea tonight."