CARETAKER boss Dave Byrne admits injury-jinxed Barry Corr needs an extended run of games to secure his Swindon Town future.

The striker is expected to miss Saturday’s trip to Crewe Alexandra as he continues to recover from his latest set back - a calf strain.

And Byrne insists it is now crucial for Corr to prove his long-term fitness, in order to extend his County Ground stay into next season.

“I’ve said it before with Barry that we have to get him fit and keep him fit for a considerable length of time, because he needs to get a run of games to secure his future again at Swindon Town,” Byrne said.

“As everybody knows, and a lot of people in this league know, Barry Corr at the end of the season is a free agent and that is one player who will come back and bite us on the backside - if he’s fit.

“We want to get him fit and for him to do himself justice to earn a new contract here rather than going to try and find it somewhere else.

“Barry will tell you himself he needs to get himself fit, and he needs to get a run of games which he’s more than capable of doing.

“And a fit Barry Corr stays at Swindon Town Football Club, end of story. I wouldn’t let him go anywhere else.”

Byrne revealed Corr has made steady progress in his latest comeback, and has not ruled out the possibility of the striker travelling with the squad to Gresty Road.

With the Irishman free to talk to other clubs in January, Byrne is keen to protect one of the club’s prize assets.

“Barry feels a lot, lot better. He’s been running with Dick (Mackey) this week and striking balls,” he said.

“But there’s a little bit of soreness there so we’ll wrap him in cotton wool.

“When he’s fit and on song he’s as good as anybody in this division, but that’s what we’ve got to aim to achieve. Keep him fit and keep him away from the niggly little injuries.

“It’s very difficult to offer contracts to anybody if they’ve only played three or four games in that season.

“If you were a manager from another club, would you seriously consider talking to Barry about a contract when he’s injured and with the problems that he’s had?

“If we can get him fit and a good run of games then he will be a big, big asset to us from now until the end of the season, hopefully to secure himself a new contract.”