Nile Ranger: Swindon players back controversial striker

Swindon goalkeeper Wes Foderingham says striker Nile Ranger has been unanimously welcomed back to the team.

Ranger, 22, apologised to teammates for a series of disciplinary issues last week and marked his return with a goal in Saturday's win against Peterborough.

It followed a meeting between Ranger's representatives and club officials to decide his future at the County Ground.

"None of the boys have a problem with him - we all like him," Foderingham told BBC Wiltshire.

"It was not so much us asking him back, it was him wanting to come into the team and us allowing him.

"He has apologised to us and said he wants to get his head down. Whether or not he does that remains to be seen.

"We just want him to get his head down and do his best to help us."

Ranger joined Swindon on an initial 12-month deal in the summer despite facing a rape charge.

Before his surprise recall to face Posh, the former Newcastle striker had previously played in Swindon's 3-2 loss at Brentford on Boxing Day.

He failed to report for training the following day and manager Mark Cooper said he would look to offload him in January.

Ranger's headed goal against Peterborough was his seventh of the season, but Cooper remained coy on whether he has a future at the club.

"Nile came to me and wanted to apologise to the players," Cooper said.

"I think, in football terms, they want him in the team. The rest of the stuff off the pitch, they feel very let down by him and they let him know that, but at the end of the day they decided that we are a better team with him in it.

"Words are cheap and I've heard it before from Nile, so let's see."

Ranger's trial is due to take place on 24 February after he was charged with rape following an alleged incident in Newcastle 12 months ago. He denies the charge.