Swindon players to pick team for Preston clash after backroom staff follow Di Canio out of club

By Laurie Whitwell for the Daily Mail

Published: 16:36 EST, 20 February 2013 | Updated: 03:09 EST, 21 February 2013

A physio and the kit man are the only backroom staff left at Swindon after the rest walked out in support of manager Paolo Di Canio, who quit this week.

Paul Godfrey, the physio, and kit man Roger Jones will be on the bench for Saturday’s visit of Preston.

But the team will be picked by senior players Darren Ward and Tommy Miller, following the departure of four of the League One side’s staff.

Assistant Fabrizio Piccareta took the club to the top of the division with a 3-1 win at Tranmere on Tuesday and then followed Di Canio out of the door.

He said: ‘We will follow him everywhere, even if he coaches at Real Madrid or Luton Town because we are a team.’

Goalkeeping coach Domenico Doardo, fitness coach Claudio Donatelli and masseur Giulio Viscardi also quit.

A consortium led by a local businessman were yesterday in talks with the Football League over a deal which would see Swindon move away from the threat of administration.