Swansea City

Swansea's Jones close to return
Swansea City youngster Owain Tudur Jones says he is finally over the knee injury that plagued him throughout last season. The talented Wales Under-21 midfielder was limited to just three league appearances for the Swans last season. But Jones, who recently returned from Colorado to see US surgeon Dr Richard Steadman, says he is close to a return. "I recently flew out to America for a scan on the knee and everything seems to be OK," said Jones. "I was lucky enough to see the doctor Richard Steadman again and things went well. "Due to everything that has happened and the weakness in the muscles around the knee I've developed a bit of tendonitis. "But generally it is good news I think. The tendonitis is quite curable and I have to work hard now in the summer months and work on my thigh muscles so that they are strong enough to support the knee." Jones is determined not to rush back too soon considering his past problems, but he does hope to be running again by pre-season. He said: "I'll be in the gym most days over the summer and if all the strength work goes well, I'll be able to start running around the same sort of time everyone comes back from pre-season. "I'll probably do my own pre-season with the physio as it'll probably be a bit much to join in with the lads that soon. "But whether I'm back for the first game of the season or for September it doesn't really matter as long as everything is OK and that my legs are strong enough to support the knee." Jones also revealed his frustration at missing out on most of Swansea City's 2006/07 campaign - a season that saw them fall just short of the League One play-off zone. He said: "I can't stress how difficult it has been but the important thing is not to let it affect you too much. "I'm looking forward to playing football again and the daily training with the lads. It's been quite a lonely time and I can't wait to get back out there."

Swansea pair join Swedish outfit
Swansea City teenagers Scott Evans and Kerry Morgan have joined Swedish third division side Ostersund for a five-week training spell. The Swans have tied up with the Swedish amateur club and will officially open the club's new 5,000-capacity stadium in July during a week's training camp. "It will help their development and be great experience for both players," said Swans boss Roberto Martinez. "It will also give me a great chance to track the home-grown talent in Sweden."

Darlington bag ex-Swansea keeper
Darlington have signed former Swansea goalkeeper Andy Oakes. The 33-year-old is the second keeper to be confirmed as part of the squad for next season after David Stockdale extended his stay with the Quakers. Oakes joined Swansea a year ago after coming to the end of his contract with Walsall, but was released last month. The experienced keeper began his career at Macclesfield and has also had played for Hull and Derby and had loans spells with Port Vale and Bolton.

Wycombe recruit defender Williams
Wycombe Wanderers have recruited ex-Swansea defender Tom Williams, 27, on a two-year deal. The left-sided Cyprus international, who can also play in midfield, was released by the Swans this summer. "We've been trying to get him all summer, he's a terrific player who has played a lot of games at a higher level," said Wycombe boss Paul Lambert. Carshalton-born Williams, whose one cap came in 2006, is Lambert's 10th and final signing of the summer.

Injured Tate out for six weeks
Alan Tate will be out of action for up to six weeks after he was found to have a fractured knee-cap before the Carling Cup defeat to Reading on Tuesday night. The Swans defender has had trouble with his knee over the last few weeks. "I've tried to come back three times in training," said Tate. "I thought it was going to be a bruise but I've just got to carry on now. "I carried on in training and probably made it worse but that's how I am, I know what it is now." Tate added: "Hopefully after the six weeks I'll have a few games in the reserves and then try and get back in the first team with the rest of the lads." Manager Roberto Martinez said he was not surprised by the injury. "You cannot keep Alan out of training or playing and he really had to stay out," he said. "We knew there was something wrong and to be fair it could have been worse. "Six weeks with Alan will be five so I'm looking forward to getting him back quickly." Martinez was full of praise for his side after they took Premier League outfit Reading into extra time, before Leroy Lita spared the Royals' blushes on 105 minutes. "We played against a very strong Reading side and I thought we did really, really well," he said. "The players were patient, they got the ball, tried to open up the defence, and we created enough chances against a Premier League side. Youngster Joe Allen added: "It was just one of those games where you knew it was coming. "We threw everything at them and 0-0 at extra time was just made for them to go on and score the winner." Meanwhile Martinez was cool on rumours linking the Swans with a bid for Blackpool's Scottish striker Keigan Parker. "He is one of the many players that we keep an eye on and we do need to strengthen up front and we do need to strengthen at the back, that's no secret. "If the right man becomes available we'll bring him in. We're not going to bring in anyone just for the sake of it because we are meeting a deadline."

Swansea postpone Cheltenham game
International call-ups mean Swansea City have moved their game at Cheltenham Town from 7 September to 18 September (1945 BST). Joe Allen and Shaun MacDonald were last week named in Wales' Under-21 squad for their opening Uefa U21 Championship qualifier against France in Grenoble. New signing Warren Feeney is on Northern Ireland duty, meaning the Swans were able to delay the game. Striker Feeney agreed a four-month loan deal from Cardiff last Friday.

Swansea confirm Hartson meeting
Swansea City have revealed that manager Roberto Martinez has met John Hartson to discuss a possible move. But the League One side said the meeting was arranged at the request of the striker's representatives, and that a deal to sign Hartson is not imminent. Hartson, 32, is looking for a new club after being told he is surplus to requirements at West Brom. Reports on Wednesday claimed he will be joining Swansea this week, but the club have described them as being "untrue". In an unusual move, the club published a statement on their website in response to the newspaper reports, which they say are "full of inaccuracies". "The statement that Hartson will join the club within 24 hours is untrue," said the club's statement. "The statement that Hartson will be paid £12,000 a week is untrue and an irresponsible piece of journalism. "The statement that Hartson has met with chairman Huw Jenkins and Martin Morgan is untrue, although the club can confirm that Hartson has had a private conversation with manager Roberto Martinez at the request of the player's representatives." Swansea-born Hartson, who has won 51 caps for Wales, has not played a first-team match since February. His contract with West Brom ends at the end of the season. Swansea had been looking to boost their striking options following the loss of Lee Trundle to Bristol City, but that void seems to have been filled by Warren Feeney, who has joined on a season-long loan from Cardiff City.

O'Leary has no regrets over move
Swansea City's Kristian O'Leary says he has no regrets about turning down a move to Tuesday night's opponents Cheltenham Town in the summer. The Robins were keen to take the midfielder to the club on a three-year deal, but O'Leary decided to sign a new 12-month contract at Swansea. And O'Leary says he feels he made the right decision despite seeing very little first-team football this season. "I thought long and hard about it, but I have no regrets," he said. "Some people have called me crazy as I only have a one year deal here and Cheltenham were offering me three. "But that would have been the easy decision and I have put a lot of hard work into this club and have spent a lot of my life here fighting for my place and I honestly believe I made the right decision." O'Leary spent five games on-loan at Cheltenham last season, scoring once in a relatively successful spell. And he did admit to being tempted by their offer of a move in the summer. "I really enjoyed my time at Cheltenham last season and it was a useful spell for me," he said. "It is nice that they showed an interest in me, it always gives you a little buzz and I'm thankful for that. "The manager, players, and fans were great to me and Cheltenham is a club that is very close to my heart but this is where I belong. "It was something I thought long and hard about but I have no regrets." O'Leary, who celebrated his testimonial at the club last season, has found first-team football hard to come by this term. But the midfield man says he is ready to take his chance, when it comes. "Competition is healthy for Swansea City and we have a choices in all positions and that bodes well for club," said O'Leary. "I'm desperate to play, I had a really good pre-season but it hasn't happened and if I get a chance then I'll take it." Cheltenham host Swansea on the back of an impressive 3-2 away victory against Huddersfield Town. And manager Roberto Martinez is aware of the challenge that awaits his side. "It is the worst time to play them," he said. "They had a fantastic victory at the weekend and their moral will be high and we'll look forward to the game. "We have eight games in four weeks, but we are prepared and will approach the games in positive manner and are looking forward to them." Meanwhile, Swansea City have announced that Alan Curtis has rejoined the club on a full-time basis as a coach and scout. They have also announced that Spaniard Inaki Bergara has been appointed goalkeeping coach. Curtis - a former Swansea caretaker manager and assistant manager who coaches Wales Under 21's and Under 19's - has been given the dual role of developing young players such as 17-year-old midfielder Joe Allen who are in the Swans' senior squad and looking for young Welsh talent in the Welsh Premier and other lower leagues. Bergara, is a former Atletico Sociedad goalkeeper who's spent four years coaching at Atletcico Bilbao with former Spain manager Javier Clemente and he fills the gap left by Tony Pennock.

Swansea confirm injury pair blow
Swansea City have confirmed they will be without Leon Britton and Andy Robinson for a fortnight. The midfield pair sustained hamstring injuries in Tuesday night's 2-1 win at Cheltenham, Robinson scoring the winner as they rose to fourth in League One. Better news is that Owain Tudur-Jones and Darren Way are set to play for Swansea reserves on Wednesday night. Both have been sidelined by long-term injuries, while Dutch midfielder Ferrie Bodde is likely to have a run-out. Bodde has now completed his three-match ban after being sent off for violent conduct against Doncaster at the beginning of September. Swans manager Roberto Martinez confirmed: "Both players have the same hamstring problem." Martinez was full of praise for his players after they came from behind thanks to Robinson's 25-yard drive and Jason Scotland grabbing his sixth goal of the season. "It's really, really hard to come to places like Cheltenham and you need to be ready," he said. "I think in the first 15 minutes they caught us cold and they played the way they normally play at home and we couldn't cope with it and that was disappointing. "The good thing was the way they reacted and showed the attitude of a winning team to try and get a result when the adversity was there. "It is a frustrating time when things aren't going the way you expect them to. "When you don't feel you have done yourself justice as a team it really hurts and that's why we've seen that kind of reaction in the second half. That was the pleasing aspect."

Swans boss unhappy with decision
Roberto Martinez complained that a misjudgement from referee Graham Laws given against Swansea turned the tide in Saturday's 2-0 loss away at Leeds. "They use that intimidation at Elland Road sometimes to get some decisions," Swansea manager Martinez said. "The free-kick given away by Angel Rangel (which led to Leeds' opening goal) is right on the wide line. "You look at the replay and the referee places the ball right in the 18-yard box, which is a different set-piece."

Way set to rejoin Yeovil on loan
Swansea City midfielder Darren Way is set to rejoin his former club Yeovil on loan until 1 January. Way has now fully recovered from the shin injury which has prevented him from playing for Swansea's first team for over a year. Manager Roberto Martinez is happy for him to go back to Yeovil to get first-team football. Way, 27, has only made 17 senior appearances for Swansea since joining the club from Yeovil for £150,000.

Swans' Jones in new injury blow
Swansea midfielder Owain Tudur Jones has suffered another injury setback. The 23-year-old, who has trained with the Wales squad but has yet to win his first cap, injured an ankle playing for the reserves against Yeovil last month. But a scan this week revealed Jones has an undisplaced fracture of his ankle and means he is likely to be out of action for a further four to six weeks. The news is a blow to Jones' return from a knee injury that has kept him out of the first team for over a year. Jones last figured for the Swansea senior side on 3 November 2006 in the 4-2 win over Bournemouth at the Liberty Stadium. His rehabilitation has included travelling to the United States to see renowned specialist Dr Richard Steadman.

Swansea suffer Feeney injury woe
Warren Feeney may have played his last game for Swansea after the on-loan Cardiff striker was stretchered off in Saturday's 3-0 win over Southend. The Northern Ireland international had already headed the Swans ahead when a heavy tackle from Lewis Hunt saw Feeney carried off with ankle ligament damage. Feeney is likely to be out until the new year, with his four-month loan spell due to expire on 31 December. "We are very disappointed," said Swans manager Roberto Martinez. "We were fearing it could have been a fracture and it's only ligament damage, but it's still a medium-term injury. "We'll have to assess it and see how damaging his injury is. "Warren did really, really well from the first minute and he was starting to enjoy his football." Former Bournemouth, Stockport and Luton striker Feeney, 26, started the match at the Liberty Stadium because Jason Scotland failed a late fitness test. Scotland suffered a stomach strain in training and Swansea will hope that the Trinidad and Tobago hitman is fit in time for next Saturday's top-of-the-table clash at Carlisle. Swansea held on to top spot in League One with the victory over Southend, who had Nick Bailey sent off on 35 minutes. But Carlisle are just a point behind after their 1-0 home win against Leyton Orient kept up the pressure.

Carlisle P-P Swansea
Carlisle's top-of-the-table League One clash with Swansea has been postponed due to a frozen pitch at Brunton Park. Covers being used to protect the pitch were removed on Friday morning and a decision was made before leaders Swansea boarded their plane. "We tried to apply heat this morning using industrial heaters," said managing director John Nixon. "But the frost has bitten deep and there are still areas of the pitch that are very, very hard underfoot."

Swans boss admits Parker interest
Swansea manager Roberto Martinez is likely to strengthen in the January transfer window to help keep their League One title challenge on track. Despite averaging almost two goals a game, Swansea may add another striker with Keigan Parker one possibility. The Scottish frontman, 25, is out of favour at Blackpool and will also be out of contract next summer. "We've been following Keigan Parker since the game we had against Blackpool (last season)," Martinez told SSB. "He performed really well on the day and we've kept our eye on him, as well as another 200 or 300 players that I could mention! "We're never going to stop speculation...but overall we're going to bring people in that are better than what we've got. "If not it's pointless and at the moment the players that are here are making it very difficult to find better players." Whether Swansea move for Parker is complicated by the situation surrounding Warren Feeney. The Northern Ireland international has impressed with six goals in 14 games since joining on loan from Cardiff. Feeney's loan spell ends on 1 January and Swansea are interested in a permanent move. But he will be out of action for the next six to seven weeks with an ankle injury and also the financial problems Cardiff face in court could complicate any deal. A 4-1 romp over visiting Cheltenham on Boxing Day kept the Swans top of League One, but they face a sterner test on Saturday when promotion rivals Leeds come to the Liberty Stadium. "Leeds are a very, very strong side as we all know and it's going to be a glamorous occasion," Martinez added. "We're looking forward to it, it's a sell-out and it's one of those days that the fans really deserve. "We've got fantastic links throughout our history with Leeds United, we need to be ready but enjoy the occasion."

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