SWINDON Town are in the running to bring Southampton defender Jack Stephens back to the County Ground says chairman Lee Power, who has also not ruled out a return for Louis Thompson.

Power, who is hoping to have to make a decision on the next Swindon Town manager in the coming week, has been in conversations with Southampton about a return for the England Under 21 international.

Stephens was recalled to the south coast earlier this month having only made five appearances during his loan spell with Championship side Middlesbrough.

Now, according to Power, Town are in a three-horse race to capture the services of the 21-year-old but face competition from two other Championship sides.

Stephens has enjoyed two loan spells with Swindon and his relationship with caretaker manager Luke Williams, plus the offer of regular first team football, could lure the Saints youngster back to Wiltshire.

“We’re trying to do something with Jack,” Power told BBC Wiltshire.

“The problem is there are two other Championship teams at the moment who want to take him so we are always going to be third best in a three-horse race when you are dealing with Championship teams.

“His relationship with Luke Williams is second to none and that is the main reason he wants to come but it is whether Southampton feel it is more beneficial for him to go to a Championship team.

“The one thing we might have in our favour is that he will play, whereas at Middlesbrough, when he went there, he didn’t get much game time.

“These are discussions that are ongoing and I am sure they will drag out a bit.”

Meanwhile, Thompson, who returned to parent club Norwich last Thursday, could be set for a return to SN1 after Power explained the reason he returned to Norfolk was because of injury.

When asked if the 21-year-old could come back he said: “Yeah I think so.

“The deal was agreed for Louis to stay here and then he picked up an injury and because of that injury he has had to go back to Norwich and see their medical people.

“We’re going to try and have a look this week to see how that injury has gone and as soon as he has recovered from that I am hopeful that Louis will return to us and see it through until the end of the season.”