Jack Payne sidelined as Swindon host Manchester City in FA Cup third round

Forest Green Rovers v Swindon Town – Sky Bet League Two – The Fully Charged New Lawn
(Image credit: Bradley Collyer)

Swindon midfielder Jack Payne will miss Friday’s FA Cup third-round tie against Premier League leaders Manchester City with a knee injury.

Wales international Jonny Williams is rated as touch and go after not training fully this week as his workload is carefully managed after also coming off during the 5-2 Sky Bet League Two win over Northampton.

Captain Dion Conroy is available again after the centre-half served a two-match ban, while Lewis Ward is set to cover in goal for Jojo Wollacott, who is away with Ghana at the African Cup of Nations, and goalkeeper Emmanuel Idem should also be in the squad after his free transfer.

Defender Jake O’Brien has arrived on loan from Crystal Palace until the end of the season, but forward Alex Gilbert has been recalled by parent club Brentford.

City will be without seven first-team players and manager Pep Guardiola following a coronavirus outbreak at the club.

The Premier League club have not yet made public which players have tested positive for Covid-19 but Phil Foden and Oleksandar Zinchenko did miss last week’s game at Arsenal through self-isolation.

Defender John Stones has sat out the last three games with a knock.

Winger Riyad Mahrez is away on international duty with Algeria so also misses out.

Read more
Enzo Fernandez celebrates after scoring for Chelsea against Aston Villa in December 2024.
Is Enzo Fernandez injured this weekend? Premier League injury update on Chelsea midfielder
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is one of the most talented players on the planet
Is Erling Haaland injured this week? Premier League injury update on Manchester City striker
Erling Haaland of Manchester City wins a header during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off first leg match between Manchester City and Real Madrid C.F. at Etihad Stadium on February 11, 2025 in Manchester, England.
Is Erling Haaland injured this weekend? Premier League injury update on Manchester City striker
Nicolas Jackson
Is Nicolas Jackson injured this week? Premier League injury update on Chelsea forward
Alexander Isak celebrates a goal for Newcastle United against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League in February 2025.
Is Alexander Isak injured this week? Premier League injury update
Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon gestures to the crowd during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion at St. James's Park in Newcastle, United Kingdom, on October 19, 2024.
Is Anthony Gordon injured this weekend? Premier League injury update on Newcastle United forward
Latest in
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reacts at full-time of the Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 9 March, 2025
Manchester United make exciting teenager 'top priority' this summer: report
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool set for major PSR hit ahead of the summer: report
The current logo used for the Premier League
Surprise sponsor 'in talks' with the Premier League over multi-million pound deal: report
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho could still leave the club this month
'Alejandro Garnacho has let his family down. He might be immature but he is not young anymore, it's a massive disappointment that he is not performing - he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy' Ex Manchester United star launches astonishing rant at winger
Latest in News
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reacts at full-time of the Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 9 March, 2025
Manchester United make exciting teenager 'top priority' this summer: report
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool set for major PSR hit ahead of the summer: report
The current logo used for the Premier League
Surprise sponsor 'in talks' with the Premier League over multi-million pound deal: report
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho could still leave the club this month
'Alejandro Garnacho has let his family down. He might be immature but he is not young anymore, it's a massive disappointment that he is not performing - he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy' Ex Manchester United star launches astonishing rant at winger