‘I Couldn’t – Boss Says Why Starlet On Loan From Newcastle United Didn’t Feature | OneFootball

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Swindon Town boss Ian Holloway has revealed why Newcastle United loanee Anthony Munda missed out on featuring for the Robins in their EFL Trophy fixture against Crystal Palace Under-21s.

Munda joined the Newcastle academy at the age of nine and has spent more than a decade developing through the youth ranks.

He signed his first professional contract with the Magpies in July 2024, after which he made his senior debut in a pre-season friendly against Hull City.

To secure regular first-team football and speed his development, the Newcastle midfielder was loaned to Swindon Town for the campaign in the summer.

Munda has made five League Two appearances so far for the Robins, while providing two assists.

However, the Newcastle loanee was not included in the squad for the EFL Trophy fixture against Crystal Palace Under-21s, which Swindon Town lost 2-1.

Swindon Town boss Holloway suggested that the players who featured against Crystal Palace Under-21s have put themselves in contention for a place in the starting lineup or on the bench at the weekend.

He explained that the team selection was influenced by the EFL Trophy’s loanee limit, meaning decisions had to be made and Munda missed out.

However, Holloway admitted that the defeat was disappointing, stressing that he does not like losing, but must now learn from the result and move forward.

Speaking to Swindon Town club’s media (1:22), Holloway said: “They’ll be contention for being sub maybe even starting. Yes, it’s good good to see them all out there.

“And the team was selected on that and obviously we’ve got six loanees so I couldn’t have Munda in that as well.

“But, what can I say? We don’t like losing, but we’ve lost. So, we’ve got to learn.”

It now remains to be seen if Munda will be involved this coming weekend when Swindon Town are set to take on Salford City away from home in League Two.