Carlisle United boss on plan for Swindon Town's ex-Premier League star

The former Premier League striker – whose first professional goal came against the Blues  14 years ago – will be out to derail the Blues’ automatic promotion push tomorrow.

Simpson admits the 33-year-old is an obvious threat for the Robins, along with another experienced figure in Wales international midfielder Jonny Williams.

But the Blues boss feels his high-flying side have enough to cope with Jody Morris’s dangermen.

“We just have to play like we have been doing, defend for our lives and hopefully we've got enough forward players that they're talking about ours at the end of the game and not Charlie,” said Simpson.

“He's had a fantastic career and watching the games that I've watched of them recently, he's still a very good target man, still a good striker, gets into good areas and he's got that knack of scoring goals.

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“I think we've got players who can cope with him and I've been delighted with the way we've defended. We've had 14 clean sheets this season and the challenge is can we go and get 15 this weekend and give ourselves a right good chance of winning?”

Austin was a rising star at Swindon when, in a 1-0 win at Brunton Park in November 2009, he scored his first goal at professional level on his full debut, having joined the Robins from non-league Poole Town.

He was part of a prolific Robins strikeforce with future Blues striker Billy Paynter, since when he has starred for Burnley, QPR, Southampton, West Bromwich Albion, QPR again and Brisbane Roar before rejoining Swindon in December.

He has more than 180 career goals to his name, including four in eight games for Swindon this campaign.

As ever, Simpson says the main focus of his preparation must be on his own team, but the manager is mindful of a Swindon side whose footballing style has impressed him.

“While we focus on ourselves, we always show the players what the threats might be of the opposition, and so we know that Swindon have got some players who can cause problems,” added Simpson.

Charlie Austin, right, in action against Carlisle's Frank Simek during the striker's early days with Swindon (Image: Stuart Walker)

“The biggest two names out of them are Jonny Williams, who's a fantastic footballer and has had a great career playing at the highest level, and Charlie Austin, who is just a natural goal scorer.

“So they've got those as the obvious threats and we will highlight those players. But the most important thing for us is how we go about it.”

Swindon, who are 11th in the table, lost their first three games under new boss Morris after he replaced Crawley-bound Scott Lindsey.

But they have improved with seven points from the last available nine, and have a strong home record with seven wins, five draws and four defeats at the County Ground.

“I think it's gonna be tough,” added Simpson.

“I have heard that they've had some injury troubles. I know they've lost a few defenders, and they've just signed a free agent in the last day or two in Tom Brewitt, who's got a good background and was involved with England at the younger age groups – he’s got some ability about him.

Jonny Williams (Image: PA)

“So I think they've had their issues, which we have, but I think it's going to be a really good game.

“From what I've seen of them, I think they're one of the best footballing sides in the league in the way they've tried to go about it.

“We've got to try and make sure that we get all over them, to not allow them to play their football and we come out on top. 

“After three straight defeats, they've had two wins and a draw – drawing with Orient, and Salford being the biggest scalp.

“As we talked about with Grimsby [before last weekend’s game], we said that we've got to make sure that we don't allow that to carry on. and we go to Swindon with belief – and we've got to make sure that it is belief and not arrogance – and just go and do the job properly.”