Marc Goodfellow has delivered his own Christmas message to his new Swansea City team-mates. And it is one which he hopes will see Kenny Jackett and Co celebrating come the end of the season.

Swansea go into the crucial holiday period eight points behind leaders Scunthorpe and occupying third place in League Two.

There is also a four-point gap between Jackett's men and Southend United, who lie fourth.

And it is that margin which Goodfellow believes Swansea have to maintain if they have the chance to secure their New Year wish of promotion.

''Every team wants to go up as champions,'' said Goodfellow, who extended his loan spell from Bristol City by a further month yesterday.

''That is what you look for obviously and it would be fantastic to do that.

''But it's the top three teams who get promoted. So if we can keep that gap and maybe extend it a little bit more, that takes a little bit of pressure off.

''That would mean we don't have to keep looking over our shoulders at the teams behind us.

''It also means we can concentrate on the top three places.

''We would love to go up as champions, but our first aim has to be to get promoted in any way.

"Keeping clear of that chasing pack obviously gives us a greater chance of doing that.''

Goodfellow has had a topsy-turvy first month with Swansea which has seen him hit two goals in four games, but also saw him substituted after only 20 minutes in the top-of-the-table defeat at Scunthorpe.

In his next four weeks at the club, which could see Goodfellow play as many as seven league and cup games, he is determined that the Swansea fans will see him at his best.

''The second half against Notts County was the best I have played for a while, at Bristol City or here,'' he admitted.

''I don't think the fans had really seen the best of me before that, but I got more involved in the game and had a bigger impact on it.

''Christmas is a big time for any club and it's no different here.

''There are a lot of games and it is important to pick up as many points as you can.

''If we can do that we can be eight points clear of the pack.''

Goodfellow is delighted to have already played a part in Swansea's success this season.

His goals against Oxford in League Two and Stockport County in the FA Cup secured important victories.

And now, starting at Kidderminster on Boxing Day, he wants a few more wins before the next decision on his football career has to be made in a month's time.

''Last week's big win over Notts County was long overdue,'' Goodfellow said.

''The way we played in some games before that we did not deserve to struggle to score.

''We were creating chances but it was a case that we were not putting them away.

''Last Saturday nearly every opportunity we made was taken. Lee Trundle is a quality finisher and now he has got those three he could go on a run which sees him score in the next four or five.

''Strikers can do that and if I can provide him and Paul Connor with the ammunition then hopefully we can get a few wins.

''That will put us in good stead come the New Year.''

Kenny Jackett has urged his Swansea City players to grasp their promotion opportunity ahead of the crucial Christmas period. Swansea head off to play bottom side Kidderminster on Boxing Day and follow that with home clashes against Boston on Tuesday and Yeovil on New Year's Day.

Jackett will be looking for positive results from all of those fixtures as well as the trip to Rushden & Diamonds on January 3.

By then Swansea could be halfway towards their goal of promotion into League One.

And the Vetch Field boss's Christmas message to his team is to take their chance to fulfil that ambition.

''You don't get that many opportunities like you've got at the moment, that is my message to the players now,'' said Jackett.

''Some teams are playing catch-up, but you're right in there and you don't have to do that with any team really.

''You're ambition of promotion can be achieved this season

take it - make sure you do everything possible to do it.

''In football chances like this don't come around too often, there are enough seasons where, for one reason or another it won't happen.

''The second half of the season is one to be enjoyed, but you have to look it in the eye and realise what you've got.''

Jackett's positive attitude comes from seeing his side sit proudly in third place after 22 games, and with the game at Aggborough marking the halfway point of the campaign, the former Watford manager is happy with the campaign so far.

''We are genuine promotion contenders,'' he added. ''From day one our aim has been promotion.

''We've talked about what we feel we need to achieve. We're halfway through and in a good position.

''There are no guarantees, but we have earned the right to be where we are and going into this crucial period we have to take it on.''

Jackett's men are huge favourites to take maximum points from their trip to Kidderminster on Sunday. He is also targeting a good return from the other holiday fixtures, but is taking nothing for granted.

''We have got to respect all opponents,'' added Jackett. ''People now have expectations and will look at us to get a result at Kidderminster, but Christmas is known as the silly season and there are some strange results.

''We need to be as professional as we possibly can be so that we can gain as many points as we can. Hopefully that will take us into a good position as we go into the New Year.''

Meanwhile, tickets are now on sale for Swansea's FA Cup fourth-round clash at Reading from the club ticket office in William Street Monday from 9am to 2pm and the rest of next week between 9am and 4.30pm.

The game is not all ticket but fans can secure a substantial discount by buying in advance.

KENNY JACKETT has sent his promotion-chasing Swansea side a tub-thumping Christmas message, "You won't get many opportunities like this in your career."

The Swans boss is desperate to ensure his team don't waste the hard work that has taken them to within sight of League One football by having a poor festive period.

Jackett leads Swansea into their crunch Christmas schedule - which starts with the Boxing Day trip to rock bottom Kidderminster - knowing a bumper points haul would make them odds-on favourites to clinch automatic promotion.

But he is also wary that failing to capitalise on a hectic schedule of four games in eight days could leave the Swans having to play catch-up.

And, having steered the Vetch Field side into the top three at the halfway stage of the season, that is scenario Jackett wants to avoid at all costs.

"The big message to my players is you don't get many opportunities in your career like the one you have at the moment," said Jackett. "We are genuine promotion contenders and we're in a position where those ambitions can be fulfilled.

"Sometimes you start a season indifferently and you end up

having to play catch-up.

"But we're in the top three already. We don't have to play catch-up on anybody really.

"Which is why we've got to do everything to take the opportunity because in football they don't come along too often."

After last Saturday's invigorating 4-0 thrashing of Notts County, the Swans are sitting pretty in third with a four-point gap on the team below them.

But Jackett knows it could still go either way this Christmas.

"With 12 points to play for in a very short time, we could either solidify a place in the top three or end up giving ourselves a mountain to climb," he said.

"Within the next 10 days, the situation at the top of the table could change dramatically as gaps can open up quickly.

"If we don't have a profitable Christmas period, the danger is we could end up having to play catch-up.

"If you can get nine points out of 12 over the festive period, then you should be in a good position coming out of it.

"But imagine if you've got to claw back a nine-point gap - that could take you three weeks because after Christmas it's pretty much back to Saturday, Saturday, Saturday for the rest of the season.

"So we've got to maximise this period. There are never any guarantees in football, but we've earned ourselves a good opportunity and we've got to seize what's in front of us."

After the visit to the Aggborough Stadium, Swansea have back-to-back home encounters with Boston and Yeovil before rounding off the holiday programme with a trip to Rushden.

Jackett accepts the pressure will be on Swans to get off to a positive start against a Harriers side struggling for players - they only had 14 professionals available yesterday - as well as points.

"Having had a good season so far, we'll be expected to pick up three points at Kidderminster and it's important we handle that expectation," he said.

"And I'm striving to make sure we prepare properly for it because this is the silly season after all - you get some strange results over Christmas time.

"We'll respect Kidderminster, as we do all our opponents, regardless of where they are in the league, but what I'm really concerned about is the 12 points on offer from this batch of games."

Jackett moved yesterday to ensure his squad was strong enough to meet the demands of the festive programme by extending the Vetch Field stays of defender Ijah Anderson and winger Marc Goodfellow.

Anderson has signed another one-month contract, while Goodfellow's loan spell from Bristol City has been extended by a similar length of time.

Jackett explained, "Signing the two of them up for an extra month will help ensure the squad is strong enough to get us through this busy period, as well as give me the chance to have a longer look at them.

"There is a possibility both Ijah and Mark could then join us on a permanent basis."

And the pair are tipped to start against Kidderminster, with Anderson deputising for the suspended Sam Ricketts at left-back and Goodfellow holding onto his midfield place.

New Harriers boss Stuart Watkiss was frantically searching for new recruits yesterday as he is without six first-team players through a combination of injuries and suspensions.

Harriers - two points adrift at the bottom of League Two having won just twice in 13 league matches - may have to call on several youth team men to make up the numbers.

"We'll have to be wary Kidderminster are fighting for their lives at the bottom right now and that they've got a new manager," said Jackett. "But I'm looking for us to get the Christmas period off to a positive start."

Roberto Martinez has told the rest of League Two that more hammerings are on the way if Swansea City can keep up their ''killer touch.'' The Swansea captain has paid tribute to the ruthlessness of his team in the wake of last Saturday's 4-0 drubbing of Notts County.

And ahead of a busy festive period which sees them play four games in the next 11 days, Martinez is predicting that more thrashings will soon follow.

''Christmas is always a very important time in the season, and the most important thing for us is to keep up our level of performance from the Notts County game,'' he said.

''We have been threatening to go away from teams many times this season and the key to doing it last weekend was that we took our chance to score a second goal.

''After that they were suffering, while we produced some of the best football we've played all season.

''We never lost our shape and never let the tempo drop which gave us a base to go on and take our chances.

''That's the sort of example we want to follow for the rest of the season, especially in the remaining games at the Vetch, and if we can keep showing the killer touch in the penalty area I think we'll hammer more than one team.''

While tipping Swansea for more handsome successes on home soil, Martinez has warned that bottom-club Kidderminster will not roll over at Aggborough on Boxing Day.

And with a top-of-the-table crunch with second-placed Yeovil to come on New Year's Day, the Spaniard insists Kenny Jackett's men are about to face the Coca-Cola basement's most dangerous side.

''Kidderminster are in a similar situation to the one we were in two seasons ago so I'm expecting a very hard game.

''They've got a new manager and have made three or four new signings who will make a difference, so I don't think anyone should be misled by the table.

''Then we play Boston who have one of the best home records in the country and, while they haven't done as well on their travels, that promises to be another difficult test.

''Rushden will want revenge after we beat them at the Vetch, while I still believe Yeovil are the team to beat in this division.

''I rate them higher than Scunthorpe because overall they have more about them. On the day I think they'll be the hardest side to beat.''


SWANS IN CHRISTMAS COVER-UP

Swansea City have taken precautions against the Christmas weather by hiring new covers for Vetch Field. Kenny Jackett's men take on Boston on December 28 and Yeovil on New Year's Day.

Both fixtures are expected to attract bumper holiday crowds, and with the prospect of snow and freezing weather the club have decided to take no risks.

The covers will be on the pitch from today onwards.

''They obviously cost money,'' said director David Morgan, ''but we decided to bite the bullet in order to try to safeguard the games over Christmas.

''We are expecting really big crowds for both games and we don't want the fans to miss out.

COLIN ADDISON has tipped Swansea City to cement a place in the League Two automatic promotion zone by going through the Christmas period unbeaten.

But Addison insists Swans manager Kenny Jackett will need to guard against complacency to prevent Swansea's promotion dreams going up in smoke in the way they did last year.

The former Vetch Field boss believes Swansea - currently third with a four-point gap on the team below them - can get through their festive fixtures against Kidderminster, Boston, Yeovil and Rushden without losing.

And if they do that, insists Addison, then their League Two destiny will be in their own hands.

"Swansea have got some tough games coming up over Christmas, particularly the two home matches with Yeovil and Boston," said Addison, who has watched the Swans regularly this season in his role as a radio pundit.

"But they're more than capable of getting something from each one. It's going to be difficult to win all four, but they can certainly avoid defeat over this period.

"And that would leave them in a very good position indeed. I honestly believe they would then have the ability and the talent to see it through and win promotion."

But Addison warned, "It's so, so important that Swansea take nothing for granted.

"We all know what happened last season. If I recall, Swansea were in a good position at Christmas time last season, but it ended up slipping away from them.

"Is there a danger of complacency creeping in? A loss of form? Poor attitude?

"You never know with football, but managers are there to guard against these things and Kenny will need to keep everyone's feet on the ground.

"Right up to the end of the season, Swansea have got to use that old clich about taking one game at a time and not looking too far ahead."

Addison reckons the Swans ought to bank at least six points from their four Christmas and New Year outings.

"Kidderminster are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the league and they've recently appointed a new manager so that's not going to be easy," he said.

"But you'd still back Swansea to get a win up there on Boxing Day.

"Boston, too, will be difficult as their manager Steve Evans is a competitive guy who always puts strong sides up.

"But at home, you'd expect Swansea to come out on top and six points from six would set things up for the Yeovil game.

"That'll be a corker of a game. Difficult to predict the outcome, too, as Yeovil have a good squad and a very astute manager in Gary Johnson.

"Then they've got Rushden away on January 3. A tricky tie for Swansea.

"Perhaps two wins and two draws from the Christmas period? I'm sure Kenny Jackett will aim for three points from each game but, as I said, going unbeaten would be a good return from the festive period."

This time last season Swansea were sixth in the old Division Three, only to end up finishing 10th after a dismal post-Christmas run.

Addison believes Jackett has built a squad capable of lasting the distance this time.

"I do feel the Swansea squad is stronger than it was this time last season," said Addison, who managed at the Vetch between September 2001 and March 2002.

"Like this time last season, they're suffering a little bit through injuries and suspensions, but this time they seem capable of coping with it.

"Take last Saturday's 4-0 win over Notts County, for instance. Swansea were missing Kris O'Leary in the centre of midfield, but Alan Tate was able to come in and do equally as well.

"What they must do is cut down on the number of silly bookings. They're missing Garry Monk through suspension at the moment and can't afford to keep having people on the sidelines."

So what of Swansea's promotion rivals? Scunthorpe are threatening to open an

unassailable lead at the top, having moved seven points clear of second-placed Yeovil.

"The way Scunthorpe are going at the moment, they'll look at their Christmas games and feel they're capable of winning all of them," said Addison.

"They're nigh on certs to be promoted automatically. I'm also backing Yeovil to go straight up after just missing out on the play-offs last year.

"Of the other teams currently in the top seven, Southend might have surprised a few people, but I was very impressed by them when Swansea played at Roots Hall earlier in the season.

"Likewise Macclesfield, who are in seventh at the moment and, with the experienced Brian Horton in charge, are quite capable of staying there.

"But there are other sides outside the top seven at the moment who I'd fancy to come good.

"Lincoln are one of them. Keith Alexander is a very knowing manager and, of course, they've got to the play-offs for the last two seasons.

"Don't rule out Bristol Rovers either. You always look for the big clubs to do things and I wouldn't discount them making a run for the play-offs."

Sam Ricketts could be in line for a shock call up to John Toshack's first Wales squad. The new Welsh manager has spoken to Swansea City boss Kenny Jackett about the 23-year-old's eligibility.

And though he was born in Aylesbury and has previously played for England's semi-professional team, a grandmother who hailed from Cardiff could see Ricketts turn out for his adopted country.

The versatile former Oxford player took a gamble 18 months ago by quitting the Kassam Stadium for Telford.

But he enjoyed a successful season with the then Conference club and has earned rave reviews since returning to the Football League last summer.

Ricketts, signed by Jackett on a free transfer, has not missed a minute of Swansea's campaign to date - though he will sit out the Boxing Day clash with Kidderminster through suspension - impressing through his ability with both feet, defensive prowess and willingness to get forward.

''I spoke to John Toshack yesterday and he was asking about Sam,'' Jackett explained.

''I told John about Sam's Welsh grandmother and he said he would come and have a look at him when we play Yeovil at the Vetch on New Year's Day.

''It's up to Wales if they want to give Sam a go, not me. But if they're looking for a new generation of players then he has the qualifications so we'll see.

''Sam has done very well for us this season - he has been one of our best players.

''He's got good versatility and he is going from strength to strength both in defence and attack.

''He has improved since the start of the year and, at 23, I think he's still got some progression in him which is obviously a good thing.''

Ricketts, whose dad Derek is a former world champion showjumper, admitted to feeling some surprise after Jackett broke the news of Toshack's interest.

He said: ''I don't really know what to make of it. Of course it's nice to know John Toshack has asked about me, but it would be another thing actually getting into the Wales squad.

''It would be fantastic if it did happen. Any player's ambition is to represent their country and my grandmother's side of the family are very much Welsh.

''They would be very proud, as would I.''

Ricketts said he did not think his England semi-pro appearances would hamper his chances of making the Welsh set-up, adding: ''As a team we've done well at Swansea this season and that makes it easier for individuals to shine.''

The last Swansea player to represent Wales at full international level was Roger Freestone in 2000, though James Thomas did make Mark Hughes's squad in 2002 and 2003.

With a first game under Toshack's control to come when Hungary visit next February, Wales have slipped from 63rd to 68th in Fifa's world rankings.

Reborn midfielder Alan Tate is relishing the prospect of working overtime for Swansea City this Christmas. The former Manchester United man has been restored to the role he was operating in when first spotted by Old Trafford scouts more than a decade ago - and he is revelling in it.

Kenny Jackett handed Tate his chance in central midfield during last Saturday's 4-0 thumping of Notts County.

And with Kris O'Leary expected to be sidelined until well into the new year, Tate looks set to operate alongside skipper Roberto Martinez throughout the busy festive period.

''Hopefully I will get a bit of a run in the side,'' the 22-year-old said. ''I'm happy to play anywhere if it means being in the first team, whether it's centre-back, right-back or centre midfield.

''Originally I wasn't very happy playing out of position, but now I'm realising I can do it so I don't mind.

''It's not as if I've never played midfield before. I played there a few times when I was on loan at Royal Antwerp a couple of years back, and I played there as a kid at United.

''It was only when I started to grow that they moved me back to defence, so it's just a matter of getting used to midfield again.

''I'd like to think my passing's decent so that will help, and hopefully I'll be able to get forward and chip in with a few goals.''

Jackett saluted Tate's efforts over the weekend, admitting: ''I've been looking for a chance to give Alan a go in midfield and it's nice that the opportunity has come.

''He is a talented player and he looked good there on Saturday.''

The Swansea boss is in talks with Ijah Anderson over his future.

The ex-Bristol Rovers defender is likely to feature at Kidderminster on Boxing Day in the absence of Sam Ricketts through suspension, but sees his one-month Vetch Field contract expire two days later.

''Ijah's pay is based on appearances and so far we've only played him twice,'' Jackett said. ''He has an offer of a permanent contract in Ireland, so the ball will be in his court as far as whether he wants to go into a second month with us.''

Jackett was today still waiting for an answer from Bristol City after asking if they will extend Marc Goodfellow's loan by a month.

Another left-sided midfielder, Sheffield Wednesday's Richard Evans, has arrived at the Vetch on a week's trial.

The pacy 21-year-old, who hails from Caerphilly, has made 11 appearances for the Owls and won a new two-year contract in the summer.

But a change of manager at Hillsborough - Paul Sturrock has replaced Chris Turner - has seen Evans fall out of favour.

Bottom-club Kidderminster are counting heads for Swansea's visit after skipper Wayne Hatswell was sent off in the 2-0 defeat at Cheltenham last weekend.

Fellow centre-back Simon Weaver will also be suspended after collecting a fifth booking of the season, while goalkeeper John Danby, influential defender Reuben Hazell and striker Iyseden Christie are all injured.

''In theory I can't name 16 players, so we have to look to recruit some this week,'' said Harriers boss Stuart Watkiss.

Goodfellow could have a long-term future with Swansea
Midfielder Marc Goodfellow will stay on loan at Swansea City from Bristol City for a second month.
"He's been a crucial factor in two of the games he's played in the month," said Swansea manager Kenny Jackett.

"He scored the winner against Oxford and against Stockport in the FA Cup - and what a goal that was.

"We feel he's got terrific end product, he has pace, an eye for a goal and can create a goal. He has the type of things we feel can improve us.

"If he can pick up our system and work ethic, hopefully he can have a future at Swansea."

Goodfellow's original loan deal was to expire after the home game against Boston on 28 December.

Forbes to play with plastercast

Swansea City midfielder Adrian Forbes has been given the go-ahead to play at Kidderminster on Boxing Day with a light plastercast on his injured arm. He was hurt in Saturday's 4-0 win over Notts County, but an x-ray revealed swelling rather than a break.

Andy Robinson is back after a one-game ban, but Sam Ricketts (suspended) is out and Kris O'Leary (knee) doubtful.

Meanwhile, the Swans' League Two game at Mansfield has been rescheduled for 8 February due to FA Cup commitments

COLIN ADDISON has tipped Swansea City to cement a place in the League Two automatic promotion zone by going through the Christmas period unbeaten.

But Addison insists Swans manager Kenny Jackett will need to guard against complacency to prevent Swansea's promotion dreams going up in smoke in the way they did last year.

The former Vetch Field boss believes Swansea - currently third with a four-point gap on the team below them - can get through their festive fixtures against Kidderminster, Boston, Yeovil and Rushden without losing.

And if they do that, insists Addison, then their League Two destiny will be in their own hands.

"Swansea have got some tough games coming up over Christmas, particularly the two home matches with Yeovil and Boston," said Addison, who has watched the Swans regularly this season in his role as a radio pundit.

"But they're more than capable of getting something from each one. It's going to be difficult to win all four, but they can certainly avoid defeat over this period.

"And that would leave them in a very good position indeed. I honestly believe they would then have the ability and the talent to see it through and win promotion."

But Addison warned, "It's so, so important that Swansea take nothing for granted.

"We all know what happened last season. If I recall, Swansea were in a good position at Christmas time last season, but it ended up slipping away from them.

"Is there a danger of complacency creeping in? A loss of form? Poor attitude?

"You never know with football, but managers are there to guard against these things and Kenny will need to keep everyone's feet on the ground.

"Right up to the end of the season, Swansea have got to use that old clich about taking one game at a time and not looking too far ahead."

Addison reckons the Swans ought to bank at least six points from their four Christmas and New Year outings.

"Kidderminster are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the league and they've recently appointed a new manager so that's not going to be easy," he said.

"But you'd still back Swansea to get a win up there on Boxing Day.

"Boston, too, will be difficult as their manager Steve Evans is a competitive guy who always puts strong sides up.

"But at home, you'd expect Swansea to come out on top and six points from six would set things up for the Yeovil game.

"That'll be a corker of a game. Difficult to predict the outcome, too, as Yeovil have a good squad and a very astute manager in Gary Johnson.

"Then they've got Rushden away on January 3. A tricky tie for Swansea.

"Perhaps two wins and two draws from the Christmas period? I'm sure Kenny Jackett will aim for three points from each game but, as I said, going unbeaten would be a good return from the festive period."

This time last season Swansea were sixth in the old Division Three, only to end up finishing 10th after a dismal post-Christmas run.

Addison believes Jackett has built a squad capable of lasting the distance this time.

"I do feel the Swansea squad is stronger than it was this time last season," said Addison, who managed at the Vetch between September 2001 and March 2002.

"Like this time last season, they're suffering a little bit through injuries and suspensions, but this time they seem capable of coping with it.

"Take last Saturday's 4-0 win over Notts County, for instance. Swansea were missing Kris O'Leary in the centre of midfield, but Alan Tate was able to come in and do equally as well.

"What they must do is cut down on the number of silly bookings. They're missing Garry Monk through suspension at the moment and can't afford to keep having people on the sidelines."

So what of Swansea's promotion rivals? Scunthorpe are threatening to open an

unassailable lead at the top, having moved seven points clear of second-placed Yeovil.

"The way Scunthorpe are going at the moment, they'll look at their Christmas games and feel they're capable of winning all of them," said Addison.

"They're nigh on certs to be promoted automatically. I'm also backing Yeovil to go straight up after just missing out on the play-offs last year.

"Of the other teams currently in the top seven, Southend might have surprised a few people, but I was very impressed by them when Swansea played at Roots Hall earlier in the season.

"Likewise Macclesfield, who are in seventh at the moment and, with the experienced Brian Horton in charge, are quite capable of staying there.

"But there are other sides outside the top seven at the moment who I'd fancy to come good.

"Lincoln are one of them. Keith Alexander is a very knowing manager and, of course, they've got to the play-offs for the last two seasons.

"Don't rule out Bristol Rovers either. You always look for the big clubs to do things and I wouldn't discount them making a run for the play-offs."

Kenny Jackett is bidding to extend Marc Goodfellow's stay at Swansea City as he comes to terms with losing Kris O'Leary for a month. The Swansea boss has made contact with Bristol City about taking Goodfellow's loan into a second month and is hopeful that Ashton Gate chief Brian Tinnion will give the green light.

Winger Goodfellow, whose initial month-loan expires in a week's time, will provide an extra midfield option as Swansea come to terms with losing the influential O'Leary to a knee ligament injury.

The 27-year-old had started every game - bar one missed through suspension - this season before sitting out Saturday's win over Notts County because of the problem.

Initial hopes that the defender-turned-midfielder would return to fitness in time for the trip to Kidderminster on Boxing Day proved over-ambitious, and it now appears that a reckless challenge by teenage substitute Michael Raynes in last Tuesday's win over Stockport at Vetch Field will rule O'Leary out until the new year.

''Kris has damaged lateral ligaments in his knee and he'll certainly miss the games with Kidderminster and Boston,'' explained Vetch Field physio Richie Evans.

''The injury improved really well to begin with and we were hopeful that he wouldn't be sidelined for too long, but with any ligament sprain you are usually looking at around four weeks out.''

O'Leary's problem, which could also sideline him for the January games against Yeovil and Mansfield as well as the FA Cup third-round trip to Reading, should open the way for an extended run in the side for Alan Tate.

The ex-Manchester United defender excelled when filling in alongside Roberto Martinez during Saturday's 4-0 drubbing of Notts County.

Adrian Forbes will be available for the festive fixtures despite after learning that he has not fractured his arm, though he will play in a light-weight cast.

Fellow winger Brad Maylett may be available for Kidderminster following a hernia operation, while midfielder Leon Britton is targeting the home clash with Boston on December 28 as he battles with an ankle problem collected a month ago.

Gary Fisken has been told he has no serious knee trouble following an MRI scan but is another who is unlikely to feature again in 2004.

Injury-plagued full-back Leon Hylton has finally made some progress following his hernia operation and is eyeing a return to training within the next couple of weeks.

Swansea's League Two trip to Mansfield has been rearranged for Tuesday, February 8 as a result of the third-round FA Cup at Reading on January 8.

And the club have announced extended opening hours for the William ticket office, which is now open from 9am to 4.30pm on weekdays.

Newport County are keen to extend Antonio Corbisiero's loan spell at Spytty Park with the Swansea youngster earning rave reviews there so far.

KENNY JACKETT insists his depleted Swansea City squad will be strong enough to cope over the critical Christmas period.

The Swans have been hit by a spate of injuries and suspensions - just as they prepare to embark on a festive programme crucial to their League Two promotion hopes.

With 12 points up for grabs in the space of just eight days, Jackett hopes Swansea can capitalise on a demanding Christmas agenda by cementing a place in the top three as the promotion race hots up.

But Jackett is preparing for the first of four festive fixtures - a trip to Kidderminster on Boxing Day - with no less than eight first-team players either suspended or struggling to overcome injuries.

The Swansea squad was so stretched for the 4-0 mauling of Notts County on Saturday that defender Alan Tate had to play in the centre of midfield.

The man Tate came in for - Kris O'Leary - is not expected to be fit for Sunday's clash, while Jackett is waiting for news on Leon Britton, Brad Maylett and Gary Fisken who have joined long-term absentees James Thomas and Leon Hylton in the treatment room.

To add to Jackett's woes, both Garry Monk and Sam Ricketts are suspended.

But the Swansea boss, who will at least be able to welcome back midfielder Andy Robinson from suspension, does not believe there is need to panic.

"Although we've got a fair few injuries and suspensions, I think we'll have enough to get us through the Christmas and New Year period," said Jackett, ahead of a holiday schedule that also includes a trip to Rushden & Diamonds and home games with Boston and Yeovil.

"Quite often problems like this leave you short in a number of positions, but that wasn't the case against Notts County.

"There was only really one player out of position and that was Alan Tate. Everybody else played in a position they are comfortable with, so it worked out OK.

"And with Alan, I do think he can play in the centre of midfield as well as centre-back anyway because his passing is so good.

"So in terms of our injuries and suspensions, I wasn't too worried because I still ended up with a balanced team. As for the fixtures coming up, I'm certainly hopeful we're going to get men back for the Kidderminster game.

"I'd be surprised if Kris is fit for that one, but I'd hope Leon and Brad will go from strength to strength now in their quest for fitness. They're certainly very close to coming back."

Jackett had feared he might lose the services of Adrian Forbes after the former Luton winger damaged his forearm when he smashed into the centre stand on Saturday.

But an X-ray yesterday showed no fracture to the arm and Forbes should be free to take his place at Kidderminster.

Swansea, meanwhile, are hoping to avoid a punishment from the Football Association of Wales after a coin was thrown from the North Bank in the direction of a linesman.

The coin didn't hit the official, but the incident caused referee Andy Woolmer to stop the game briefly, and Swansea could face a reprimand of some sort if he highlights it in his match report.

Swansea's League Two trip to Mansfield Town, due to be played on FA Cup third round day, January 8, has been rearranged for Tuesday, February 8.

LEE TRUNDLE ended his longest Vetch Field goal drought in stunning fashion - in what he described as Swansea's best performance of the season so far.
Top Swansea scorer Trundle stopped a run of six matches without a goal with only his second hat-trick since he joined the club in the summer of 2003.

After opening the scoring with a superb 42nd minute free-kick, Trundle struck again on 71 minutes before completing his treble with a stoppage time penalty.

The three-goal haul took Trundle's tally for the season to 11 - and gave the Swans their most comprehensive victory under Kenny Jackett's stewardship.

"I thought it was the best football we've played all season," said the 28-year-old former Wrexham star.

"Beforehand, we hadn't really been very fluent with our passing. We'd been nicking games by the odd goal and things have been a bit scrappy.

"But on this occasion we got the ball down and passed it and, after going 2-0 up, it just seemed a question of how many we'd score.

"It was nice to play our opponents off the park for a change."

Before Notts County's visit, Trundle hadn't hit the target since the 2-1 win over Darlington on November 17.

But the Scouser made up for that with a performance reminiscent of the captivating displays he produced in the first half of last season.

"The barren run wasn't something that was worrying me because I'd been setting up goals and we were still getting results," he said.

"Having said that, six matches was the longest I'd gone without scoring for Swansea, so it was nice to get back on the scoresheet again.

"Getting a hat-trick means my confidence will be sky high now going into the next game.

"I keep looking at the list of top League Two scorers on the television and thinking my name should be up there... perhaps it will be before much longer!"

On Saturday's goals, Trundle said, "The first came from a free-kick which I struck through the wall rather than round it. The wall seemed to break up a bit as I struck it.

"The second came from a good clip from Andy Gurney and I thought I finished it well. I was pleased with that one as, in and around the box, is where I like to be.

"As for the penalty, there was no chance I was going to let anyone else take it. I was on for my first hat-trick of the season, so it had to be me!"

He added, "It was good to see Paul Connor get a goal too because I think we've been working well as a partnership.

"And this was a good three points for the team going into an important Christmas period.

"We're all going to get our heads down over the next week or so and work hard because we know there's a chance of pulling away in the top three if we can collect a few points."

Hat-trick hero Lee Trundle has sent a Christmas message to Swansea City's fans, insisting: ''We are going up.'' The Scouse striker took his tally for the season to 11 goals with a treble in Saturday's 4-0 drubbing of Notts County as Kenny Jackett recorded his biggest victory since arriving at Vetch Field last spring.

The emphatic win means Swansea will be in the automatic promotion places over Christmas, and leaves them four points better off than they were at this stage last season.

Back then a fabulous start counted for nothing as Brian Flynn's team lost their way in the second half of the campaign, but the star of both sides has assured Swansea's fans that the class of 2004-5 will book a place in League One next May.

''We are determined to go up this time,'' Trundle declared. ''Last year we had a great chance of getting promotion but we crumbled towards the end, I think because it was a lot of the players' first full season. But everyone knows what we've got to do this season and the fact that we're moving into a new stadium next summer makes us want it even more.

''We've learned from the experience of last season and I think we're better equipped to go up now. The fact that we won 4-0 on Saturday even though we had injuries and suspensions proves that.''

Swansea's players were enjoying their last day off until the new year today before embarking on a critical period of five games in a fortnight starting at Kidderminster on Boxing Day.

Jackett was refusing to make any bold predictions after the County mauling, but said: ''We have given ourselves a fantastic opportunity and it's one myself and the players are desperate to capitalise on.

''In seven years coaching at first-team level, I've won three promotions and lost in a play-off final, so I'd like to think I know what it takes. It's about hard work, keeping your nerve and showing determination.

''This is a club with fantastic potential. That's been said many times since the John Toshack days, but it does surprise me that the club has spent so much time since in the bottom division. Having the new stadium on the way has created extra optimism that we can change that and it's up to us to deliver.''

Swansea's plans for Kidderminster may be hindered by injury - Kris O'Leary's knee problem looks like keeping him out while Adrian Forbes was waiting for news today on a suspected fractured arm suffered on Saturday.

Sam Ricketts will sit out the Aggborough trip through suspension but Andy Robinson will be available after his one-match ban.

It is approaching that time of year when people decide things are going to change. For Brad Maylett, his New Year's resolutions are to return to full fitness - and in the process become a first-team regular for Swansea City again.

A month on from an operation to cure a long-standing hernia problem, the Manchester-born player believes he is on track to get 2005 off on the right foot by making his comeback for Kenny Jackett's side.

The latter half of 2004 has been something of a nightmare for the Swansea winger.

Maylett made just 14 appearances for the club, with the majority of those coming from the substitutes' bench.

But he had been struggling with a stomach problem since the pre-season tour of Holland.

And after finally being diagnosed with a hernia, it was decided he should go under the knife rather than play through the pain barrier.

Maylett's recuperation has been progressing nicely, so much so that he is eyeing a quick return to training with the Swansea squad.

Even so, he has set no date for his likely playing comeback.

''I cannot set any targets because I set one and it didn't come off,'' he said.

''Once you get back training and are able to kick a ball again, you feel you are back in the swing of things.

''Maybe I tried to get back a little too soon and sometimes that can be the case.

''But I have seen the specialist for the final time and I can't see there being a problem now.

''Hopefully I will be back just after Christmas. But if it means I can be totally fit again and I have to wait an extra week to do that, then so be it. There is no point in rushing things, even though it is frustrating being injured.''

Maylett has been watching from the sidelines while recovering from his operation.

And although he has witnessed a few inconsistent performances from Jackett's team during his spell out, he insists they are still on target for a successful year in 2005.

Goals have been at a premium this season - just 21 in the same number of league outings - but Maylett believes Swansea boast the necessary firepower to greatly improve that tally.

And he cannot wait to get back to provide the ammunition for the likes of Paul Connor and Lee Trundle during the second half of the campaign.

''I think the threat of goals is there,'' he said.

''There is enough quality in the side to score, but it's just not happening at the moment.

''It will come though and I am desperate to get back playing again.

''There is nothing like playing in front of the North Bank - especially as a winger - and I want to get back there.''

With the Swans lying third, Maylett says the club have an excellent platform from which to push for promotion.

But he believes the next couple of months will prove just what Jackett's men have when it comes to the final crunch.

''If we can get through Christmas and get a couple of decent results then we will be doing okay,'' he added.

''Then by January or February we will have a good idea of what we can achieve.

''Hopefully I will be back in the side by then.

''But the main thing the gaffer has done is brought in players of high standard.

''That means we can cover when people are injured.

''You only have to look at centre-back. With Garry Monk suspended we have either Alan Tate or Izzy Iriekpen to come in.

''That's the same all over the pitch and hopefully will keep us up there.

''I am just keeping my fingers crossed I don't have any more long-term injuries and I can be part of what's happening here.''

GOAL drought? Who said anything about a goal drought?

Certainly not Kenny Jackett. The ever-confident Swans boss had insisted they would start to flow sooner rather than later - and flow they most definitely did.

One in the first half and three inside a breathtaking final 20 minutes. Given the number of narrow 1-0 wins recorded by Swansea this season, Vetch Field regulars must have thought they were seeing things.

A goal avalanche at last as Lee Trundle helped himself to a magnificent hat-trick, Paul Connor added another and Swansea had countless chances to make this an even more emphatic win.

It might have come as a surprise to many, but Jackett insisted this demolition job - as thrilling as it was comprehensive - had been in prospect for quite some time.

"I'd like to think a performance like this has been coming," he said. "There've been quite a number of games recently where we've been in control but haven't managed to kill off the opposition.

"We've been looking to push away from the 1-0 situation, build on that platform rather than hang onto it, and it's so pleasing that we've managed to do it with a great result and a great performance.

"People have been looking for us to open the floodgates and turn dominance into goals and it's nice to say we did that."

Even Jackett had started the week by expressing concern about a goal shortage which had seen the Swans bank just two in five matches.

But what a response. After Jackett's men had scored twice in the midweek FA Cup win over Stockport, Trundle's second Swansea hat-trick and Connor's sixth of the season left the gleeful supporters singing all the way to their Christmas parties.

"It's an early Christmas present for the fans and a great way to go into what it is a vitally important period for us as a club," said Jackett, whose side remain in third place, but opened up a four point gap on their nearest pursuers, Southend.

"The other encouraging thing is we hit the target 14 times, which is the most so far this season. That's a very good statistic and if we can do that on a regular basis, we'll win games comfortably."

After spluttering somewhat in the league of late, Swansea could not have picked a better time to find top gear with their most stylish display of the campaign.

Not that you would have predicted such superlatives being applied at the halfway stage of Saturday's clash with struggling County.

There were one or two chances for both sides - Swansea might have been in front after 35 seconds when Andy Gurney saw a header cannon against the crossbar - but it was not the most auspicious of opening periods.

Ever the saviour, though, Trundle gave a glimpse of better things to come when he ended a six-game goal drought - the longest he'd gone without scoring since joining the club 15 months ago - with a 42nd-minute free-kick which dissected the flimsy County wall and beat the poorly-positioned keeper.

The Magpies - by no means poor, but still expected to present more of a challenge after their morale-lifting FA Cup win over Swindon in midweek - threatened briefly when former Cardiff striker Gavin Gordon and Chris Palmer each tested Willy Gueret with reasonably long-range efforts.

But the rest of the afternoon belonged to Swansea... and to Trundle in particular.

After firing a couple of warning shots, Trundle claimed his second when he chested down Gurney's free-kick from the halfway line and calmly turned his marker before drilling low past keeper Saul Deeney.

And Trundle's hat-trick - taking him to 11 for the campaign - arrived in the 90th minute when he smashed home a penalty after Sam Ricketts had been brought down by Julien Baudet.

"That kind of performance has been coming from Lee," said Jackett. "He's been getting shots in on a regular basis and this time he had seven, which is a good total for a centre forward in one match.

"The time to worry as a striker is when you don't get any chances or any shots, but Lee's been getting more shots in than anyone."

Not to be totally outdone, fellow striker Connor continued his return to form with his second goal of the week on 76 minutes.

Marc Goodfellow's cross to the far post was nodded back across by Gurney and Connor found the top corner with a glancing header.

To say the last 20 minutes was eventful would be a huge understatement as Connor had another strike ruled out for offside, Ricketts had a superb 30-yard effort tipped over the bar and substitute Glynn Hurst came close for the shell-shocked visitors.

Jackett was also able to reflect on encouraging returns to the side for Izzy Iriekpen and Alan Tate, who stepped into the injured Kris O'Leary's shoes in an unusual midfield role.

Said the Swansea manager, "The goalscorers will get the credit, but I'm also very pleased with the clean sheet because Notts County did have chances.

"I'm pleased with how Izzy came through his first game for quite a while, and also Alan did very well in his first match in midfield. He can play in that position because his composure on the ball and his passing is so good."

Having gone some way to confounding critics who claimed Swansea's lack of goals could cost them dear in the League Two promotion race, the task over the festive period is to build some momentum and some consistency.

"Five games in two weeks - 15 points to play for in 14 days - means Christmas really is a vital period for us," said Jackett, who takes his side to Kidderminster on Boxing Day followed by quickfire shoot-outs with Boston, Yeovil and Rushden & Diamonds.

"The players are having their Christmas with a couple of days break now and I've told them to enjoy it because it'll be straight back to the hard work after that.

"We're in a good position in the league and we want to capitalise on what has been a very good first half of the season.

"We've got the chance to make this a memorable season for the club. You don't get many opportunities like this and we've got to make the most of it."

A YEAR ago Roberto Martinez watched in disbelief as the wheels fell off the Swansea City promotion bandwagon.

Now he is determined that history will not be allowed to repeat itself second time around.

Swansea's promising start to the 2003/4 season had already started to fall apart 12 months ago before a disastrous New Year put paid to the club's lingering promotion hopes.

But devout Catholic Martinez has enough faith in his teammates to believe they won't fall into the same pressure trap for the second year running.

The key, he believes, is a new-found ability to cope with the inflated expectation levels at the Vetch this season.

Last year the club's younger squad fell to bits during the business end of the season but the captain is adamant the squad can now triumph in the mind-game stakes.

"Expectations are high at this club but the important thing is to know how to deal with them," said Martinez. "We didn't manage it last year.

"But the guys who are still here have learned from what happened last year and although there were many different circumstances we have tried to put that experience to one side.

"Last season we had a very young squad which perhaps played a part in why our form dropped off. We also had a lot of injuries around this time last year whereas now it is the other way around.

"We now have players coming back from injury and suspension and have people competing for every position on the pitch. We also have a more experienced squad, which I'm confident will help us cope with whatever is thrown at us."

From League Two leaders the crown has slipped slightly in recent weeks with Swansea sitting in third, eight points behind top placed Scunthorpe before this weekend's fixtures.

But despite his foreign roots, Spaniard Martinez points to the old British soccer adage that nothing is won at Christmas.

"The squad looks strong and in good shape but it is all about manoeuvring ourselves into position for the final phase of the season," he said.

"Although we would like to be top we don't need to be there in December. It is the last 13 games that really count.

"As long as we are in there fighting we will be happy and confident of our chances. It's very important not to get carried away when things are going wrong and equally when things are going right. We know what we want to achieve this season and that is promotion.

"It's something we talk about amongst ourselves and obviously the fans are doing the same. Swansea is a club that has underachieved in recent years. We all know where we should be and at the moment we can see some light at the end of the tunnel. But now we have to get there."

Swansea face the normal hectic Christmas schedule with four games in nine days before facing Championship high-flyers Reading in the FA Cup third round on January 8.

But thoughts of cup glory have been placed firmly to the back of minds in the Swansea dressing room.

"Christmas is a very important period for any club but something unique to the UK. I don't think playing so many games over Christmas would work in any other country apart from here.

"Getting full houses on Boxing Day just doesn't happen anywhere else.

"Other nations have a different mentality. If you try to explain it to someone in Spain or Italy it would be hard for them to understand because they have never done it."

A TRUNDLE-POWERED Swansea put in a four-midable display to cut down Notts County - but Kenny Jackett has still cancelled Christmas.

Not that a clearly delighted Swans boss was showing any Scrooge tendencies following this walkover win - his promotion hungry players will still be enjoying their turkey dinner and fancy dress party.

Instead, it is Jackett's growing determination to capitalise on their success so far that will see the Swansea squad slugging it out on the training field come Christmas Day.

And a smiling Jackett made no apologies for his stern seasonal schedule, saying: "Enjoy the next couple of days boys - because it's back to work on Tuesday."

"I've told them to relax over the next couple of days but we're back on Tuesday and we're focused on the games ahead," Jackett added.

"We have five league games in two weeks and that's 15 points to play for. Things can be turned round at this stage.

"So it's a couple days off for but we'll be working hard after that. The players' Christmas is today and tomorrow but after that it's back to work as normal.

"The reason for it is that we now have a great opportunity. So many times a season can start well but for a variety of reasons it won't quite go your way.

"We're in a great position and we must capitalise on it."

If today is the Swans' Christmas Eve then they couldn't have asked for a better way to start the festive frolics.

Perhaps one man more than most will be enjoying the early partying; Trundle ended a six game run without a goal in style as he took home the match ball with a terrific hat-trick.

And Paul Connor will also be in the mood after he made it two strikes in two games to give him side-billing on what was really the Lee Trundle show.

But it was the way his team put an end to the myth that Swansea were becoming the new Arsenal of old that really had Jackett buzzing.

"I'm delighted with the performance," he said. "We've been looking for some while to get away from this 1-0 situation we've been in.

"We got the opener and we built upon it - that's something we haven't done too often.

"People have been looking for us to open the floodgates and turn the dominance we've had at times into goals.

"With Yeovil winning and Scunthorpe it's almost neck and neck at the top so we felt it was a game we needed to win.

"It's very exciting up there and we have a fantastic opportunity to make it a memorable season."

Jackett spoke with all the confidence of a man who knows he is getting it right.

A massive 14 shots on target against troubled Notts County says it all about how his Swans are flying in the right direction.

The first of those came after just 30 seconds, Magpies keeper Saul Deeney pushing an Andy Gurney header onto the crossbar and the ball somehow eluding the white shirts desperate to put the rebound away.

A sharp effort from Marc Goodfellow followed but then an uncharacteristic case of the jitters from Willy Gueret almost gifted the visitors a lead, Matthew Williams unable to punish the Frenchman's hashed clearance.

Magpies youngster Shaun Harrad then came close to connecting with a Tony Scully cross but it was no mistaking who was in control.

Swansea passed and moved in an almost arrogant fashion, Alan Tate looking every inch a pupil of the Manchester United school of football with his confident distribution from his new spot in midfield.

Full back Sam Ricketts also looked dangerous with the ball while Adrian Forbes again was thriving in his flyer's role.

But it was Trundle causing the real headaches for Ian Richardson's men and he proved it when he curled home the opener on 42 minutes.

Having been dragged down by defender Kelvin Wilson - although seemingly inside the area - Trundle stepped up from outside the box and whipped the ball through the crumbling wall to spark the celebrations.

The chances kept on coming after the break, Deeney doing well to stop a several efforts flying past him - most of them from Trundle.

Perhaps one of the most pleasing aspects of this attacking dominance was that it was against a three-man defence, a system Swansea have struggled with all season.

But although Chris Palmer set a few pulses racing with his curling effort on the hour mark, coupled with a speculative effort by the otherwise anonymous former Bluebird Gavin Gordon, normality was restored on 71 minutes.

A long free-kick from Gurney, a deft control, strength to turn and an unstoppable stop - so simple, so Trundle.

Six minutes later Connor was in on the act, heading home after Gurney knocked back a Goodfellow corner.

Then the floodgates opened as Ricketts, Goodfellow, Forbes, Gurney and others all tried their luck, with Connor only denied a second by the offside flag.

But the fourth came at last when the dynamic Ricketts was tripped in the area and there was only one man who was going to take it, Trundle coolly dispatching the injury-time spot kick.

"He had an excellent performance," said Jackett.

"He played very well but that's been coming.

"When he wasn't scoring I told him not to worry because he was still getting the shots in and getting the chances. I think he had seven shots on goal which is fantastic."

Still, it doesn't mean the cheeky Scouser will be excused when everyone is lacing up their boots for a Christmas morning jog.

"I've been involved in first team football for seven years and had three promotions and one play off final so I'd like to think I know what it takes," he said.

"And that's hard work, keeping your nerve and determination.

"And when it all wobbles - and there will come a time when it will - then it's more hard work and keeping the faith."

Alan Tate is set to play in midfield for the first time in his Swansea City career as Kenny Jackett rejigs his side for tomorrow's League Two clash with Notts County at Vetch Field. Centre-back Tate is poised to start alongside Roberto Martinez as Kristian O'Leary is struggling with a knee injury collected in the dying moments of Tuesday's FA Cup win over Stockport.

With Garry Monk kicking off a four-match ban and Andy Robinson serving a one-match suspension, two further changes are guaranteed.

After numerous false dawns in his battle with a knee problem, Izzy Iriekpen will make his first appearance in more than three months in central defence while midweek matchwinner Marc Goodfellow is expected to start on the left side of midfield.

''To lose Garry Monk for the Christmas period is a blow because I feel he has been exceptional in his short time as a Swansea City player,'' Jackett said.

''Kristian O'Leary has done very well for us too, but in Izzy Iriekpen and Alan Tate we have two very good players who I'm very happy to be able to call on.

''They are both capable of doing well for us and I think they will do just that.

''Izzy has shown in the few games he's played that he is a very strong defender, while Alan has a lot to offer.

''He has been involved in most of our games this season so he will have no problems fitting in, and having spoken to him about playing in midfield I feel he can do that.''

Tate has been benched in Swansea's last three games despite a man-of-the-match performance in his usual defensive role at Stockport a fortnight ago.

But he is no stranger to midfield, having played there during his younger days at Manchester United.

For Goodfellow, a recall will represent the latest twist in his up and down loan spell from Bristol City.

''He scored a fantastic goal to win the game on Tuesday and we're hoping for more of the same from Marc,'' Jackett added.

Struggling Notts County arrive at the Vetch on the back of consecutive league defeats but are buoyed by their own midweek FA Cup success over League One side Swindon.

Former Cardiff striker Gavin Gordon's brace continued a min-revival under player-boss Ian Richardson following the sacking of Gary Mills, though the Magpies have not won on the road since early October.

''They play 3-5-2, which is a formation that has given us problems this season,'' continued Jackett. ''We will have to be aware of that and make sure we don't get overrun in midfield, but I'm more concerned with my team and concentrating on getting our league form going again.

''Christmas can be telling period in any side's season because there are a lot of points to play for in a short space of time.

''A good run of results can mean a big swing at the top, so we're desperate to start the busy period off by getting back to winning ways at home in the league.''

The bad news might not be over for Garry Monk. Izzy Iriekpen takes his place in Swansea City's starting line-up this weekend - and he intends to stay there. Iriekpen has joined everyone else at Vetch Field in expressing his sympathy for Monk, who saw his three-match ban for misconduct turn into a four-game suspension for technical assault at a remarkable Football Association of Wales hearing on Wednesday.

But, as boss Kenny Jackett points out, another door opens when one closes, and Swansea's former FA Youth Cup winning captain is determined to make his mark when he steps in from the cold tomorrow.

"It's really unfortunate for Garry that he's ended up getting an even longer ban," said Iriekpen, who wore the armband in his days as a youngster at West Ham, "especially because he has been playing so well with Kevin Austin in the centre of defence.

"But it means there is an opportunity for me to come in and I want to stamp my authority tomorrow because I'm keen to stay in the team."

Iriekpen's hunger to claim a regular place in Swansea's first-choice line-up has been sharpened by a run of misfortune with injury that has seen him complete only six league games since March 20.

Jackett was not yet at the Vetch then, but has liked what little he has seen of the man signed by Brian Flynn at the beginning of last season.

Four League Two appearances have come so far this term - the most recent in the win over Kidderminster in early September - when the 22-year-old looked a stronger and more dominant defender than at any other stage in his Swansea career.

Jackett was certainly impressed, but Iriekpen must build on the promise shown by rediscovering that form over the Christmas period.

With Monk sidelined until the second game of 2005, this is a chance for Iriekpen to come to the fore in perhaps the most hotly-contested position in the Swansea squad.

"There is a lot of competition at the back and I think all the boys here would be good enough to get in any other team in this league," Iriekpen adds.

"The boys who have been playing have been doing really well, so when you do get an opportunity it's vital that you take it."

Initially at least, the ex-Cambridge and Leyton Orient loanee's cause might not be helped by his lack of match fitness.

After three months of persistent knee problems, Iriekpen says three weeks' training without reaction means he is as ready as he could be.

"I've been out for a long time and, although it didn't seem like a big deal to begin with, I started to worry when the swelling kept coming back," he says.

"I'd be training all week and then have to drop out of contention on Thursday or Friday, but I'm feeling fine now and hopefully that's all gone.

"It better had, because I have been really stressed out not being able to play for so long.

"It's not going to be easy coming back in - especially because I didn't really have a pre-season either - but I'm really excited about it.

"It almost feels like I'm a new signing and I'm playing my first game again, so I can't wait."

Swansea head into the weekend on a high after Marc Goodfellow's spectacular, last-gasp winner over Stockport in midweek booked a place in round three of the FA Cup.

But with only one win in the last five league games, Iriekpen is clear about the priority on his return to action.

"We don't want just to get promoted this season, we want to win the title," he says. Scunthorpe looked a good side and played really well against us last weekend, but we want to be where they are on top of the table.

"To do that we need to get tight at the back again after letting in a few goals in the last few weeks, and hopefully I can help us do that."

SWANSEA chairman Huw Jenkins is astonished by the FAW's decision to charge Garry Monk with technical assault and says the Swans have been treated "unfairly and unprofessionally".

Swans defender Monk appeared before an FAW disciplinary panel on Wednesday after Jenkins and manager Kenny Jackett appealed against his three-game ban for misconduct. But the move backfired dramatically when the ban was increased.

Jenkins said he could not believe it when Monk's punishment was extended to a four-game ban for technical assault - a charge he had already been cleared of.

"We are very, very disappointed with what has happened," said Jenkins after attending the hearing with Jackett and Monk. "I am absolutely astonished how the assault charge can be dropped one minute then somehow reinstated. We feel very unfairly treated by all this."

The original punishment came after Monk saw red in the Swans' 2-0 defeat at Shrewsbury last month. After picking up an immediate suspension of two games for the offence, Monk then faced charges of technical assault for his reaction at the dismissal. In the melee after the 43rd-minute red card, referee Eddie Evans fell to the floor and he filed the incident in his match report.

But, in a hearing on December 2, the former Southampton centre-back was cleared of the initial charge only to be rapped for failing to leave the field promptly.

Garry Monk must serve a four-match ban after an Football Association of Wales appeals panel recharged him with technical assault following his sending-off at Shrewsbury last month. Monk was originally handed the charge after referee Eddie Evans had tumbled to the ground in the aftermath of the centre-half's second yellow card at Gay Meadow on November 20.

Earlier this month the FAW reduced the charge to one of misconduct, but still dealt Monk a three-match suspension on top of his original two-game ban for the sending-off.

Last night Monk was joined by Swansea City manager Kenny Jackett and chairman Huw Jenkins for the appeal hearing in Cardiff where it was hoped that Monk would get off with a warning or even a suspended sentence.

But the appeals panel, which consisted of the head of the FAW disciplinary department Paul Evans, Cardiff solicitor John Loosemore, FAW councillor Idwal Williams and FAW vice-president Peter Rees, informed them of the U-turn and the news that the defender would also have to sit out an extra game.

Referee Evans, who stated in his original report that he fell over in the melee following Monk's red card, also spoke at the hearing.

Monk will now miss Saturday's League Two clash at Vetch Field with Notts County, the Boxing Day trip to Kidderminster and the games with Boston on December 28 and Yeovil on New Year's Day.

Jackett said Monk was left distraught by the decision and the club were deciding on the next step to take.

''The FAW have recharged him with the original charge of assault and they have increased the ban from three to four games,''' he confirmed. ''That original charge was reduced to one of misconduct on December 2 and now on December 15 it has gone back to assault again.

''I must say I am disappointed with the outcome. I don't know how they can justify their decision - that's a question you will have to ask the FAW.

''I can't explain things any further that's down to others to do that, but what we have got now is Garry Monk banned for a total of six matches and as well as the ban he has been fined a week's wages and been told to pay the total costs of both the original hearing and the appeal.

''That is a considerable amount of money on top of the fine handed out by the club,'' he added.

''I don't know if there is a chance to appeal or not but common sense would suggest that you might not have a right to appeal against an appeals decision.

''We will definitely be asking the question and I am sure we will find out an answer over the next couple of days.

''I am disappointed as a manager, but I am also disappointed for the player, too, because it is his career. Garry is devastated at the way things have turned out.''

Swansea City are looking into the possibility of running a fleet of discounted buses to take supporters to the third-round FA Cup tie against Reading next month. The Madejski Stadium clash has been confirmed as a 3pm kick-off on January 8, and with a large number of fans expected to make the short journey along the M4, Swansea are already making plans to help them get to the match.

No details have been announced yet, but the game will not be all-ticket for away supporters as the Championship club can accommodate 4,000 visiting fans.

But those wanting tickets can buy them in advance at a discounted rate - £13 for adults and £5 concessions.

Tickets for those paying on the day will cost £16 for adults and £10 concessions.

Swansea's cup involvement means the postponement of the trip to Mansfield on January 8. No re-arranged date has been agreed.

SWANSEA CITY boss Kenny Jackett admits he still has a soft spot for the magic of the FA Cup - but insists he won't let sentiments stand in the way of promotion.

Jackett was all smiles yesterday as he began reading up on Reading, Swansea's third-round prize for their last-minute replay win over Stockport on Tuesday night.

And the Swans boss - a cup finalist with Watford in 1985 - said the Vetch Field changing rooms were buzzing at the thought of their Royals invitation.

But, despite the delight at a trip to the Madejski in the New Year, Jackett has repeated his objective of promotion being all that matters this season.

"Am I a cup man? Very much so," said the former Hornet, who picked up a runners-up medal when Andy Gray and Graeme Sharp won the cup for Everton 20 years ago. "It's a fantastic competition and one that everyone enjoys. It generates a huge amount of interest and it's great to still be in there.

"We've had a couple of cracking cup ties so far and the way we've controlled the game we deserve to be where we are.

"Nationally the third round is where it all starts but for lower league clubs like us it's a big achievement to get this far. But, as far as I'm concerned, going to the Madejski is in the back of my mind at the moment. For us promotion is still very much the No 1 priority and that won't change."

After a lapse in their league form of late, Jackett knows the visit of Notts County to the Vetch on Saturday is more of a pressing case than the trip up the M4 on January 8.

But that hasn't stopped the 42-year-old weighing up his side's chances against Steve Coppell's Championship high-flyers and dreaming of one final cup hurrah at the soon-to-be-vacated Vetch.

"It will be a very tough prospect," he said. "They are playing very well at the moment and unbeaten at home in the league which says it all. I can't profess to know Steve Coppell, but I do know he's a top-class manager and has done very well there since he came in, so it will be a challenge.

"But we're looking forward to it because it's a great chance for us to compare ourselves to a higher standard.

"And it would be fantastic to get another game at the Vetch, whether that means bringing Reading back there or doing enough to get someone back there in the next round."

But Jackett has insisted he won't be bringing in Wrexham's Wales international Chris Llewellyn to bolster his squad for his dual-pronged attack on cup and league.

The Swansea-born striker, who can also operate on the flank, had been linked with a move to his hometown club following the Red Dragons' move into administration.

But Jackett refuted claims that he has opened talks with the three times capped 25-year-old.

"There's nothing in that," he said. "I'm not about to sign the lad and I haven't been in contact with him or Wrexham."

Llewellyn was on the verge of joining the Swans from Norwich two seasons ago but opted for League One football with Denis Smith's side.

DENIS SMITH last night rubbished reports Chris Llewellyn was heading to Swansea City.

Sources in South Wales yesterday claimed the Wrexham striker had been in talks over a switch to his hometown club.

But Dragons boss Smith laughed off suggestions Llewellyn would go behind his back to join Kenny Jackett's League Two side.

"That'll teach me for giving him a couple of days off for working so hard," Smith joked. "But seriously, I don't and can't believe that he would have done that. He's not allowed to.

"And if Swansea have been talking to him, it's an illegal approach.

"The club hasn't been approached and I spoke to the administrator today about any sort of approach for a player, and they hadn't heard anything.

"It all sounds extremely fishy to me."

Swansea City have held talks with Wrexham striker Chris Llewellyn over a possible switch to his hometown club. Kenny Jackett had played down talk of a move for a frontman despite only two goals coming in five games before last night's last-gasp 2-1 win over Stockport secured a trip to Reading in round three of the FA Cup.

But the Evening Post understands the Swansea boss has spoken to former Welsh international Llewellyn about a move to Vetch Field.

The 25-year-old former Norwich flyer almost signed for Brian Flynn's Swansea 18 months ago before opting for The Racecourse because he did not want to play in the Football League's bottom tier.

But having failed to settle in North Wales - and with Wrexham in administration - it now appears Llewellyn is ready to join the club he supported as a boy.

The three-cap forward, who can also operate on the left side of midfield, recently bought a house in Swansea and may be available on a free transfer as a result of the Dragons' financial plight.

Jackett was hailing two of the attacking players already on Swansea's books, Paul Connor and on-loan Bristol City man Marc Goodfellow, after their goals sandwiched a stunner from Stockport's Danny Griffin in last night's second-round replay win.

Both Connor and Goodfellow have been dropped to the bench in the last seven days, and Jackett said: ''Paul scores most of his goals in situations where we put him through on goal and he did that very well last night.

''And after they got an equaliser that I could have no complaints with my defence about, Marc scored a fantastic goal to put us through.

''He is a talented player, as his goal proved, and the good thing about him is that he complements what we have got because he is a naturally left-sided player who also has pace.

''We're pleased with what he has done for us so far and that goal has certainly improved his chances of staying on at the club when his loan expires in a couple of weeks. He's the sort of player the crowd will take to.''

With £24,000 of prize money banked after victory of League One's bottom club, Swansea return to the job of escaping League Two when Notts County visit on Saturday.

''We've got to the third round of the FA Cup, the place where every lower-league club wants to be, and we can look forward to a game at Reading nTo Page 55

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which will be a great test for us,'' Jackett added.

''But for now I'm focusing on the more important league games we've got coming over Christmas.

''They start with Notts County this weekend, when we hope to have a big crowd behind us, and if we keep passing the ball as we did last night I'm sure the goals and the wins will start coming again.''

Goodfellow should return to Swansea's starting line-up on Saturday with Andy Robinson suspended, while ever-present full-back Sam Ricketts must sit out the Boxing Day game at Kidderminster after collecting his fifth booking of the season last night.

Centre-back Garry Monk will be banned for the next three matches unless his appeal against misconduct, due to be heard by the Football Association of Wales today, proves successful.

Neil Cutler's return to Vetch Field was never likely to be an enjoyable one, but this was downright cruel. The goalkeeper who served Swansea City so well when parachuted in on loan as they fought for their Football League future 19 months ago - and made a vitally important save in the decisive game with Hull in May 2003 - was vilified last night.

Offered the chance to rejoin the club on a permanent basis last summer, he chose instead to sign for Stockport, and Swansea's fans made their verdict on that decision clear.

Cutler was hammered from the stands, then lost his balance two minutes from the end to gift his former side a spectacular winning goal and round off a miserable night.

''It wasn't easy at all,'' conceded the former Stoke stopper.

Cutler, who hails from Birmingham, had allegedly rejected Swansea's advances at the last minute because Stockport had offered him a deal worth around £20,000 more per year.

A different story emerged last night.

''The stick I got was all about me not coming here for the money,'' he continued, ''but that's wrong.

''There's only reason why I didn't come to Swansea. I recently split up with my wife and I have got a little daughter.

''Obviously she's a big thing in my life, and to live near her in the Midlands was a priority for me.

''You get stick from fans in football, don't you? They read the papers and listen to what's said and I think the Swansea fans believed I didn't come here because of the money.

''But Swansea is a massive club and to suggest I turned them down because of that isn't the case at all.''

So had Swansea enjoyed the last laugh on a man who had snubbed them for a fatter bank statement? That depends on who you believe.

What is not in question is who finished up smiling last night.

An intriguing if not pulsating FA Cup replay looked to be heading into extra time until Cutler slipped when attempting to make a regulation clearance.

His mishit punt landed at the feet of Marc Goodfellow and, with the keeper stranded, the Swansea winger took a touch to control before lashing a sensational half-volley into the roof of the net from 35 yards.

The fact that Goodfellow is a friend as a result of their time together at Stoke put the tin lid on a cup evening Cutler will want to forget.

''I feel sick about it,'' he added.

''You just can't justify things like that. The ball went straight to Marc, but how often is he going to take one touch and smack it right back into the net?

''It's not like I let one trickle through my gloves or anything like that, but all I can do is hold my hands up and say my slip's cost us the game.''

It will be no consolation to Cutler, even if the beneficiary is an old pal, but one man's sorrow proved another's joy.

Goodfellow, signed on loan from Bristol City last month, had endured a difficult week after scoring the winner at Oxford last Wednesday.

He suffered the ignominy of being substituted after just 20 minutes at Scunthorpe on Saturday, then found himself on the bench for the Stockport re-run.

His second decisive contribution inside a week, which came only nine minutes after he had arrived in place of Adrian Forbes, might just have changed the path of his Swansea career.

''It was just instinctive really,'' the borrowed Bristol City man said.

''I saw the goal was open and hit it. If it had gone wide or over I would have looked a fool, but thankfully I struck it well and it went in.

''It means an up and down week has ended on a high. I was disappointed to come off so early at Scunthorpe, but I've spoken to the manager and I understand his reasons for substituting me and for leaving me on the bench tonight.

''But I've just tried to respond in training and in the game and to do the best I can. Hopefully, I've put something in his mind because I'm still keen to stay on at Swansea.

''As for Neil, well I don't think he was too happy with me, but we shook hands at the end and he said 'Well done'.''

Jackett probably uttered something similar after a win which was technically an upset - Stockport do reside in League One - even if the opposition are enduring a dreadful season and came to the Vetch with a squad decimated by injuries and suspension.

Cutler would not have been playing had his rival for the keeper's jersey, James Spencer, not been absent due to an ankle problem picked up when these two sides drew 0-0 at Edgeley Park 11 days ago.

Part of him must have wished he had not been involved, particularly as Swansea's opening goal came from another former colleague at the Britannia Stadium.

On a night of talking points, Paul Connor responded to his recall following two games on the bench with his first strike in a month.

Swansea should have been ahead at the break, but when they were not off target either Cutler or Stockport midfielder Mark Robertson, who blocked Garry Monk's header on the line, denied them.

With only two goals registered in five previous matches, there was a suggestion before this game that even Real Madrid's Ronaldo would not have improved Swansea's strike rate.

But to Jackett's delight, Connor did find the net when set free by a sweet Lee Trundle flick barely a minute into the second half.

After a long run which saw him see off the attentions of County right-back Lee Mair, the 25-year-old rolled the ball into the bottom corner as Cutler advanced.

Given Stockport's woes and the home side's dominance, this might have been the cue for a parting of the floodgates.

Not so.

Stockport, under the caretaker stewardship of Mark Lillis following Sammy McIlroy's sacking for probably the last time, hit back with a fabulous 35-yard effort from skipper Danny Griffin.

But for Willy Gueret's latest fine save, which diverted Stuart Barlow's low drive on to the post, Lillis might have left his successor with a third-round tie at Reading to look for forward to.

Instead, it was the Frenchman's opposite number's intervention which proved decisive.

''I do feel for Neil Cutler, even if the credit should go to Marc as he still had a lot to do,'' Jackett said.

''As for the stick he received, that's obviously to do with the fact that we tried to sign him and at the last minute he decided to go to Stockport.

''I told him what I thought at the time, but I don't hold any grudges and hope he goes on to have a long and successful career.''

Maybe, in light of what transpired on what could have been the final night of FA Cup football at the Vetch, Swansea's supporters might say the same.

TWO seasons ago goalkeeper Neil Cutler was a Vetch Field hero after playing a key role in Swansea City's successful fight against relegation.

And the Swans had their former loan keeper to thank again last night as he made a calamitous error to gift Kenny Jackett's side a goal that earned them an FA Cup third-round trip to Premiership hopefuls Reading.

This second-round replay was heading for extra time after Stockport captain Danny Griffin had cancelled out Paul Connor's first Swansea goal for more than a month.

But two minutes from the end Cutler slipped as he was about to punt the ball downfield and it fell perfectly at the feet of substitute Marc Goodfellow.

The on-loan Bristol City winger - who had only been on the pitch for nine minutes after replacing Adrian Forbes - claimed his second Swansea goal in a week with a wonderful 40-yard finish as Cutler lay red-faced on the edge of his box.

It completed a nightmare return for the former Aston Villa stopper, who had been jeered throughout by Swans fans after he turned down a move to the Vetch in the summer on the grounds of allegedly wanting more money.

The first half was largely forgettable, but the game burst into life just after the break when the impressive Connor claimed his fifth goal of the season - and his first since the first-round win at Cheltenham a month ago.

Griffin equalised from a corner, but Goodfellow's well-taken winner ensured Swansea a trip to the Madjeski Stadium on the weekend of January 8 and the prospect of there being one last FA Cup clash at the Vetch.

The win should also lift spirits ahead of Saturday's League Two visit of Notts County as Jackett's men had not gone into this replay in the best of shape.

Only one win and two goals from five league and cup matches were the statistics Jackett's promotion-chasers were desperate to improve upon.

There were two changes to the side that slipped to a grim 1-0 defeat at Scunthorpe last weekend, with Andy Robinson adding more muscle to the midfield at Goodfellow's expense and Connor returning to the attack for assistant boss Kevin Nugent.

Swansea made a promising start, Lee Trundle the first to test the goalkeeper who played a big role in the Vetch club's successful fight against relegation during his loan stint here two seasons ago.

After twisting past defender Lee Mair, Swansea's top scorer forced Cutler to push a venomous 20-yard strike out for a corner while, a minute later, the keeper comfortably gathered a half-hit effort from Kris O'Leary.

Ahead of the tie, Jackett had stressed the importance of his midfielders and defenders taking some of the goal-scoring burden off the two strikers and Garry Monk almost chipped in with one on 22 minutes when he connected firmly with a Trundle corner.

But a clearance off the line by Mark Robertson stopped the former Southampton defender celebrating a rare strike.

Stockport's aim was clearly to contain Swansea and try to hit them on the break, but the Manchester side were struggling to muster much in the last third of the pitch and Jackett's men didn't have to fight too hard for possession.

But nor was Cutler coming under a great deal of pressure. Connor provided Swansea's only other effort of the first-half, but he shot from such a tight angle that Cutler was able to watch it skim harmlessly past his right-hand post.

Swans No 1 Willy Gueret had not been tested, but the Frenchman needed to be alert just before the break when Marc Bridge-Wilkinson produced a volley with the outside of his boot that swerved just wide of the angle of post and bar.

Eighty-five seconds into the second half and at last Swans fans had something to cheer.

Forbes took a throw-in near the half-way line, Trundle produced a clever left-foot flick and Connor brushed off his marker to slide the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of Cutler's net.

It then seemed a question of how many Swansea would score as the home side pressed forward relentlessly, Robinson the first to come close with a powerful 52nd-minute drive that drew a fine fisted stop from Cutler.

Rather than give themselves a two-goal cushion, however, Swansea allowed Stockport to equalise.

The Hatters - geed up by the introduction of former Everton striker Stuart Barlow - drew level when Kevin Austin's clearance from a corner sat up beautifully for captain Danny Griffin 20 yards out.

And Griffin struck it perfectly, sending a rasping drive past the outstretched right hand of Gueret.

Not for the first time this season, Gueret came to Swansea's rescue moments later when he reacted magnificently to turn Barlow's goalbound effort onto a post.

The Swans then had a flurry of chances to restore their advantage, Robinson having a forceful effort beaten out by Cutler and Monk seeing another attempt hacked off the line, this time by Barlow.

But Swansea's best chance by far fell to their skipper. Andy Gurney swung in a cross from the left, Connor headed it back and Roberto Martinez somehow blazed wide from just eight yards.

No matter, though, because poor Cutler's nightmare moment enabled Goodfellow to smash into an unguarded net with magnificent composure, and Swansea might have even added a third goal when Trundle fired just wide in stoppage time.

Kenny Jackett is tipping Lee Trundle and Paul Connor to rediscover the goalscoring touch ahead of Swansea City's FA Cup clash with Stockport at Vetch Field tonight. Swansea head into the second-round replay looking for a confidence boost after their demoralising defeat in the top-of-the-table crunch at Scunthorpe on Saturday.

The 1-0 reverse was Swansea's third in four league outings - and was the third time in five matches that they have failed to trouble the scorers.

Jackett's men are averaging just one goal per game this season, with Trundle and Connor both without strikes since the first-round cup win over Cheltenham a month ago.

But the Swansea boss is convinced his first-choice front two will soon be firing again - and has called on the rest of his players to do their bit for the cause.

''I've got every confidence in my forwards,'' said Jackett, whose side will travel to Championship high-flyers Reading in round three if they can get past Stockport.

''Paul Connor is due a run and it will come. He is a player who is well capable of that, and I've got every confidence that Lee will score goals for us.

''If you look at the game at Oxford, for example, he had a number of chances, and I've told him that if he keeps getting in there he is the type who can go on a run right the way through.

''It's not just down to those two, either. There aren't that many goals coming from other areas of the team at the moment and we need to improve that, whether it be centre-halves at set-pieces or central midfielders getting into the box or whatever.''

Jackett, who will recall Andy Robinson ahead of Marc Goodfellow on the left side of midfield this evening, insists there are no plans to strengthen his frontline despite James Thomas's continuing injury problems.

''It doesn't take a brain surgeon to work out that our goalscoring has to improve,'' he added, ''and I'm always looking to improve my squad in every area of the pitch.

''But we have Brad Maylett on the way back from injury which will give us the option of playing Adrian Forbes up front, and Leon Britton is going to be fit soon. I haven't given him much of a run so far this season, but I can see him playing on the right of a four-man midfield or a three with Adrian more advanced.

''We're always looking for more goals, but as things stand we're third in the league and have a home game in the cup so things are generally going pretty well.''

One pressing concern for Swansea is the fitness of Sam Ricketts. The ever-present full-back was set for a fitness test on a hamstring problem today with Izzy Iriekpen ready to step in for his first appearance in three months.

While Jackett maintains that all is well at the Vetch, they could hardly say the same at Stockport, where caretaker boss Mark Lillis has carried on where the sacked Sammy McIlroy left off - struggling to get results.

They have managed only four wins all season, the last coming against Huddersfield in round of the cup on November 13.

County are also riddled with injury problems, leaving them with just 13 senior players - including ex-Swan Neil Cutler - available for what could be the Vetch's last ever FA Cup game.

Perhaps Stockport's leaky defence - they have conceded 52 goals this season - will allow Swansea to bounce back to form.


Thirteen-game North Bank season tickets for the remainder of Swansea's league campaign, starting with Saturday's visit of Notts County, are available at the William Street office priced £132 for adults and £72 concessions.

The tickets guarantee admission to the last game at the Vetch and also include one free match.

Willy Gueret hopes his growing reputation as one of League Two's finest will earn him a new Swansea City contract. The imposing Frenchman is fast becoming one of the hottest goalkeeping properties in the lower leagues after a string of fine displays this season.

His performance in the 1-0 defeat at Scunthorpe on Saturday, when he saved a penalty for the third time in four attempts since joining Swansea in the summer, was probably his best for the club.

But while his excellent form is turning heads outside Vetch Field, the former Millwall man has set his sights on being Swansea's No. 1 when they move to their new stadium next season.

"I would like to stay," says Gueret, whose current Swansea deal expires at the end of this campaign.

"But that's not down to me."

As yet Swansea have said nothing publicly about offering fresh terms to a player who has made the task of following long-time Vetch favourite Roger Freestone look easy.

But the Evening Post understands boss Kenny Jackett and chairman Huw Jenkins have discussed the matter and that a new contract for Gueret is on the agenda.

"I have spoken to the gaffer a couple of times about it but nothing has come of that really," adds Gueret, a super-cool figure who has proved a miserly last line of defence this term.

"So I will just keep doing the best I can to get a new deal.

"My family still live back in France and that can be quite hard because I don't see my son as much as I could.

"But that's the life of a footballer and I have to deal with that.

"If I do stay at Swansea beyond this season that will be a pleasure for me.

"If I don't, well again, that's what happens in football.

"All I can do is just wait and see what decision the chairman and the manager make."

Gueret was well down the list of possible successors when Freestone departed - the likes of Neil Cutler, his probable opposite number when Stockport visit tonight, and Cardiff's Martyn Margetson were courted for much of the summer.

A host of other names were mentioned before Gueret, a free agent after leaving the New Den, joined initially on trial and signed a one-year agreement on the eve of the season.

Any concerns then that Jackett had taken something of a gamble after missing out on his top targets have proved completely unfounded.

Gueret, with 12 clean sheets to his name already, has not missed a minute of the season and has not put a hand or foot wrong.

"Willy's a good keeper and I'm pleased to have signed him," Jackett said in the wake of the Scunthorpe defeat.

"Quite often when you get a big fella like him, they are good on crosses but they're not that agile and they can't get down low.

"But Willy has physical strength and he has good agility."

As he proved once more at Glanford Park at the weekend, with a brilliant reach to claw Peter Beagrie's spot-kick to safety the pick of numerous saves.

"It was another good guess," Gueret says.

"He hit it well and it was probably the best of the penalty saves, but it's not the most important because we still lost the game.

"That was frustrating for us all because we wanted to do well in such an important match. It was quite a busy afternoon for me, but sometimes that happens when you are a goalkeeper.

"It was just disappointing that we got off to a bad start again and after that it was always going to be hard to come back.

"In games like that, small things make a big difference and we never really recovered."

Despite handing Beagrie his penalty chance with a foul on Ian Baraclough, Gueret was one of the few Swansea players who could not be faulted after Saturday's defeat.

That has been the story of his season, and yet the 31-year-old maintains there is more to come.

"I've been quite happy with my performances," he adds.

"But I can still improve and I can still make more saves and keep more clean sheets this season."

And probably, assuming Swansea recognise the talent they have found, in the next campaign as well.

MATCH UPS
Looking Back: Sam Ricketts may miss out for the first time this season because of tight hamstring, with Izzy Iriekpen on standby for a first appearance since September.

If Ricketts fails a late fitness test, Iriekpen will partner Garry Monk in central defence with Kevin Austin shifting to left-back. Depleted Stockport started with five midfielders in the defeat at Hartlepool on Saturday, but could partner Jon Daly and Everton old boy Stuart Barlow in attack tonight. Seven-goal top-scorer Warren Feeney is still struggling with an ankle injury collected when Swansea went to Edgeley Park. IN THE MIDDLE: Andy Robinson will be reinstated from the start on the left flank after replacing Marc Goodfellow inside 20 minutes at Scunthorpe. Jackett's otherwise unchanged midfield must deal with the goal threats of Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and Rickie Lambert. Lee Cartwright definitely misses out, while Damien Allen is doubtful with a hamstring problem.

GOING FORWARD: Paul Connor should return to Swansea's starting XI ahead of Kevin Nugent having sat on the bench in the two games since Stockport 10 days ago. Former Stoke colleague and Vetch old boy Neil Cutler will stand in his way as Jamie Spencer (ankle) looks like missing out. Regular left-back Danny Adams is suspended, meaning a possible recall for Scotsman Lee Mair alongside the Northern Irish international Danny Griffin.

Swansea City: Gueret, Gurney, Ricketts or Iriekpen, Monk, Austin, O'Leary, Martinez, Forbes, Robinson, Connor, Trundle. Subs: from Murphy, Tate, Anderson, Goodfellow, Pritchard, Nugent.

Stockport County: from Cutler, Hardiker, A Williams, Mair, Griffin, Robertson, Lambert, Goodwin, Bridge-Wilkinson, Daly, Barlow, C Williams, Jackman, Le Fondre, Brownhill, Raynes.

Fa Cup action at the Vetch tonight will revive memories among older supporters of Swansea's famous giant-killing side of 40 years ago. That team, which defeated mighty Liverpool at Anfield on their way to the semi-final, is still regarded as one of Swansea's finest.

A heartbreaking defeat against Preston on a sodden Villa Park pitch denied the Swans of a trip to Wembley and a clash with West Ham - Eng;and captain Bobby Moore and all.

Now we want to hear your memories of that famous cup run.

The final curtain comes down at the Vetch on April 30.

The Swans will be moving home after 93 years to their magnificent new stadium.

And to mark the historic occasion the Evening Post is publishing a special souvenir edition.

It will be packed with glorious memories of years gone by and we want you the readers to be a part of it.

We want to hear why the Vetch has a special place in your hearts.

What was the best match you have seen?

What was the best goal?

Who was the best player?

Who were your all-time favourites?

Write to: Farewell to the Vetch, Sports Desk, Evening Post, Adelaide Street, Swansea, SA1 1QT.

By fax: to 01792 514691.

By e-mail: to sport@swwp.co.uk

Please include your postal address and telephone number.

Swansea have ruled out signing a new striker with chairman Huw Jenkins claiming Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo would not solve their goalscoring problems. Swansea have seen a one-point lead at the top of League Two turn into an eight-point deficit having notched just two goals and one win in their last five matches. The club's three fit forwards - Lee Trundle, Paul Connor and Kevin Nugent - have only one goal between them during the barren run, leading to speculation that boss Kenny Jackett could move to boost his attacking options. But Jenkins has rubbished talk of a move in the transfer market, turning the spotlight instead on the players already at Vetch Field. "You'd have to be mad to say we don't need to score more goals," said the Swansea chairman, "but we could sign Ronaldo and I don't think he would make much difference to us at the moment. "We have only scored twice in five games and that's obviously not good enough, we can't hide from that fact. But to be fair to the strikers we've got, I don't think it's a forwards issue. "We need to improve collectively and to create more chances for Paul and Lee, who are both proven goalscorers. "We haven't given them enough opportunities lately. It's also up to people elsewhere in the team to get forward and contribute some goals. "As a team we're not firing on all cylinders, but we're certainly not looking for a new striker." Jenkins insists financial constraints are not a factor as Jackett plots when to strengthen. He went on: "Money's not the issue here. "We've got Leon (Britton) and Brad (Maylett) coming back and people like Alan Tate and Izzy Iriekpen on the bench. "It's a far stronger squad than we've ever had, but we've got to play as a unit. We are hard to beat because we have a resolute defence and a good goalkeeper, but in possession we're not creating a lot."

A prominent football club has vowed to track down racist fans who allegedly made monkey noises and shouted racist abuse at two black players.

The pledge comes after police were called in to investigate claims supporters at Division Two Oxford United shouted the chants at Swansea City players Adrian Forbes and Izzy Gueret.

Striker Forbes, aged 25 years, said he heard the abuse coming from behind the home dug-out after the end of Wednesday's game at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium, which the home team lost 1-0.

"As I came off the pitch one of their fans called me a cheating 'something', which I don't want to go into," he said after the match.

"I didn't rise to it, I just wanted to make the stewards aware of what was said.

"Luckily for me a woman who was sat next to this 'gentleman' actually held her hand up and said she had heard everything. She pointed him out as he ran off. It's frustrating, but that's part of the game at the moment."

Mick Brown, secretary of Oxford United, was reported as saying: "We condemn any behaviour of this type and we are taking these claims very seriously.

"We actually contacted police first thing because that is how strongly we feel about this.

"This is just small-minded behaviour from a small group of people and it will not be tolerated.

"We have a good track record and there is no way we will let racism creep in."

Football liaison officer Police constable Simon Feist, of Thames Valley Police, said the force was investigating two incidents of fans reportedly making monkey chants and other abuse.

"This kind of incident is unheard of at the Kassam Stadium. Racist behaviour will not be tolerated by us or the vast majority of fans, and we intend to find those responsible," he said.

"We are looking for one man in particular, who is white, 35 to 40 years old and stocky. He has dark receding hair and wore glasses. He possibly has a goatee beard. He was to the right of the home dug-out.

"We would also like to trace a valuable witness, a woman who spoke to a black player and said that she heard everything. She could be very important to our investigation and I urge her to come forward."

He said Oxford United Football Club was cooperating fully with the investigation and had supplied CCTV footage.

KENNY JACKETT insisted last night he would not panic into solving Swansea City's goal-scoring problem by dipping into the transfer market.

The Swans boss leads his side into FA Cup action tonight admitting he is concerned by their lack of goals.

Promotion-chasing Swansea, who host League One strugglers Stockport in a second-round replay, have banked just two goals in the last five matches.

Such a paltry return has sparked fears among fans that Swansea could miss out on automatic promotion unless they get their goal-scoring act together.

Especially as the 1-0 defeat in Saturday's top-of-the-table clash at Scunthorpe left Jackett's men trailing the League Two leaders by eight points.

However, though he conceded the goal-scoring record has to improve, Jackett said he had no plans to address the problem by beefing up his strikeforce.

"It doesn't take a brain surgeon to work out we need to score more goals," said Jackett.

"We've had a very good defensive record this season, but I am concerned about the number of goals we're scoring.

"I'm always looking to improve the team in all areas of the pitch. That's an ongoing process and if I can make an improvement, I will.

"At this moment in time, though, I've no plans to address the goal-scoring situation by bringing new players in.

"I'll persist with the players I've got because I've got every confidence that the goals will come."

Swansea's top scorer this season is Lee Trundle with eight goals, followed by Paul Connor and Kevin Nugent with four apiece.

But the real problem for Jackett is the lack of goals being scored from other areas of the pitch.

Widemen Adrian Forbes and Andy Robinson have scored three each, but central midfield pair Roberto Martinez and Kris O'Leary have claimed just one between them.

"There aren't many goals coming from midfield or defence," admitted Jackett. "We need to improve goal-scoring throughout the team to take pressure off the two front men.

"Our centre-halves have done well this season but hopefully they can contribute goals from set-pieces. But I've got every confidence in my strikers. I'm happy with the way they're playing and I feel the goals will come.

"Paul Connor is due a run of goals and he's capable of setting off on one before long. As for Lee, he has chances every game and if he keeps getting into striking positions he can go on a run right to the end of the season."

Jackett added, "When (winger) Brad Maylett returns from injury, that will give me the option of pushing Adrian Forbes up front.

"Leon Britton is on his way back too. He's someone I haven't given many opportunities to this season, but he can operate on the right.

"So it's not as if we don't have attacking options."

Jackett will hope his side recover from the Scunthorpe upset with a cup victory that would send them through to a third-round trip to Premiership hopefuls Reading.

He said, "The defeat on Saturday was disappointing, but we've got the chance to bounce straight back with two home games - Stockport in the cup and Notts County in the league.

"It goes without saying that we're looking for a positive performance in front of our own fans to hopefully see us through to what would be a good fixture against Reading."

Match Guide

Swansea City - Probable: Gueret, Gurney, Monk, Iriekpen/Ricketts, Austin, Forbes, Martinez, O'Leary, Robinson, Trundle, Connor Subs (from): Murphy, Tate, Nugent, Anderson, Goodfellow, Pritchard, Iriekpen

Player to watch - Andy Robinson: Expected to come in for Marc Goodfellow and will be keen to make up for time missed through suspension

Stockport - Probable: Cutler, Hardiker, A Williams, Griffin, Adams, Allen, Goodwin, Robertson, Bridge-Wilkinson, Lambert, Daly Subs: Jackman, Barlow, Bailey, Mair, C Williams

Player to watch - Stuart Barlow: Could start as a sub, but former Everton striker was a constant threat after coming on in original tie

Referee: Mike Pike (Cumbria)
Form guide: Swansea have suffered three defeats in their last five matches, while Stockport have lost four out of five.
Ian Hunt's verdict: Two sides struggling for form, but Swansea to make it through to round three with a win 1-0 win

Roberto Martinez has rallied Swansea City after defeat in the top-of-the-table clash at Scunthorpe, insisting: ''We're still in the title race.'' Swansea slipped to third in League Two and are seven points adrift thanks to the leaders' comfortable 1-0 win at Glanford Park on Saturday.

Kenny Jackett's side were in pole position only three weeks ago but three defeats in four league matches have seen them lose ground.

Martinez is in defiant mood, however, as Swansea prepare for a welcome return to Vetch Field after three away games in a week.

''Scunthorpe obviously know how to win games in this division and they are in the middle of a fantastic run,'' said the Swansea skipper.

''But League Two is very difficult and there is a long way to go after Christmas.

''If you look at our squad and then our performance on Saturday it's clear that we can improve a lot.

''Right now we're not having the best run of results, but there's a lot of talent in our dressing room and we're still in a good position.

''We're confident that we can catch Scunthorpe and we'll wait and see who's top come May.''

Swansea wasted the opportunity to reel in Brian Laws's men thanks to Vetch old boy Steve Torpey's first-minute goal.

It did not get much better for the visitors on an afternoon when Scunthorpe would have cruised home but for the woodwork and the outstanding form of Willy Gueret, who saved a penalty for the third time this season.

''Their strength was not allowing us to play while they know exactly what they're doing,'' Martinez added.

''They were solid at the back, looked to get the ball forward very quickly and used the front two very well.

''But we've got to stop conceding early goals. There's a lot of mileage in our legs after a long week and we didn't get going for five minutes. That made it easy for them.

''Now we've got the away games out of the way that should be to our advantage later in the season. I'm sure it will be a different kettle of fish when Scunthorpe come to us and we look forward to that game.''

There were some kind words for Jackett's men from Scunthorpe's matchwinner, who left the Vetch for £400,000 in 1997 - still Swansea's record transfer fee received.

Torpey said: ''Maybe they didn't show it against us, but Swansea are not up there for no reason and they've got some good players.

''I still keep my eye on their results and I would be delighted if we can win the championship and they finish as runners-up.''

Andy Robinson, who returned from a three-match ban at Scunthorpe following his red card at Shrewsbury, will be suspended once more next weekend after collecting a fifth booking of the season - one of four yellows shown to Swansea players on Saturday.

Swansea's focus now switches to tomorrow night's FA Cup second-round replay with Stockport at Vetch Field before they return to home league action with the visit of Notts County on Saturday.

Only a single goal separated League Two's heavyweights, but Swansea City had that Danny Williams feeling on Saturday night. For this was no close contest, no toe-to-toe fight which might have gone either way.

Just as Williams was beaten into submission by boxing's Iron Fist this weekend, Swansea crumpled under the Iron team.

Williams claimed Vitali Klitschko had proved to be ''a lot more awkward'' than he had expected after hauling himself off the canvas for the fourth time.

Kenny Jackett's beleaguered players might have said something similar about their opponents following this most one-sided of 1-0 wins.

''It would have been the most unjust thing you'd ever seen in your life if we hadn't won this game,'' asserted Brian Laws.

The Scunthorpe manager has had his run-ins with Swansea in the past, but there could be no disputing this claim as he looked to score a couple of points in the mental battle with Jackett's team.

''Psychology is massive in football,'' he went on, ''and Swansea knew they were coming to face a side playing really well at the moment.

''They started thinking more deeply because of our form and players start to worry because they know their opponents are capable of scoring goals.

''People will look at the result and think it was a close game, but we know differently.

''We're seven points clear now, and this win sends a message out to everybody else that they've got to come and catch us at the top.

''It's going to take some side to do that.''

On Saturday's evidence, no club will overhaul a Scunthorpe unit whose rejuvenation since finishing one place above the relegation zone back in May has been spectacular.

Paul Musselwhite, Andy Crosby and Ian Baraclough all arrived in the summer to bring a new spine, while Beagrie, who turns 40 next year, continues to give lessons in wing play.

With physical presence throughout Laws's side, not least in the shape of Steve Torpey and Paul Hayes up front, it is not hard to spot the secret of Scunthorpe's success.

For all Jackett's efforts to toughen up Swansea, they came up short in the power game this weekend.

''This could be a turning-point game for us,'' added Laws.

''If we'd lost we'd have been only two points clear and back in with the rest, but this gives us a bit of breathing space.

''If and when we do lose a game now, we won't have to worry too much because everybody else has got a lot of catching up to do. While we lose, they're going to have keep on winning.''

There were some kind words for Swansea as Laws basked in the glow of a seventh consecutive win.

''They don't concede many goals - they showed how here - and I expect we'll be looking over our shoulders at them for a long time yet.

''They've got the quality to do well in this division, although they're not scoring enough at the moment and I'm sure Kenny recognises that. That's the vital ingredient that we have got.''

The sole goal of this eagerly anticipated game arrived only 40 seconds in.

Unlike Southend, when they were behind inside the first eight seconds, Swansea did at least manage a couple of touches of the ball this time - they had kicked off.

But when possession was coughed up on the edge of the hosts' area, a slick Scunthorpe break cut Jackett's side open down their left flank.

Matt Sparrow's cross was tapped home at the far post by Torpey, unmarked and unable to believe how easily the visitors had been breached.

''Never mind catching them cold, it almost did the same to me because it came so quickly,'' the former Swansea frontman said through a smile.

After a long week on the road, albeit one which also brought a draw and a win, Jackett was not in chirpy mood.

''Scunthorpe had the edge right the way through the game,'' he conceded, ''and we can't have any complaints about the result.

''Based on one performance, they were the best side we've played this season. They are big and win headers all over the pitch, they are well organised and are good at picking up the second balls.

''Then they have some class in Peter Beagrie to go on top of all the strength and the power.''

While former Everton winger Beagrie was Scunthorpe's top performer, Swansea goalkeeper Willy Gueret ran him close for the man of the match award.

The Frenchman was at his elastic best, a brilliant one-handed claw - after his foul on Baraclough - to deny Beagrie from the spot the pick of half a dozen stops.

As well as Gueret's third penalty save in a Swansea shirt, Jackett had the woodwork to thank for the narrow margin of defeat.

Beagrie (twice) and Torpey were the unfortunate ones, though the real hard luck story would have been told if Paul Connor had stabbed the visitors' only opportunity the right side of the post two minutes from time.

''At 1-0 there's always hope and sometimes away sides do score with the one chance they get,'' said the Swansea boss.

''But quite often in football you get what you deserve and, as much as my players battled and could have scrambled something at the end, you have to say Scunthorpe had the edge.''

They have the edge, too, in the race for a place in League One.

Were this the Premiership, many pundits would see them as home and dry.

In the highly-competitive world of the Coca-Cola basement, however, there is still some way to run with more than half the league programme still to be completed.

''Things can change,'' insisted Jackett.

''It will not be difficult for us to bounce back from this result. What we must do is try to replicate Scunthorpe's showing in the first half of the season in the second half.

''I still think we can catch them.''

THE waiting was over. They eagerly went head to head, squabbling for supremacy like two rutting stags.

Each camp knew there was more than temporary bragging rights at stake. Deliver on the day and the ultimate prize of the No 1 spot could be within their grasp after strength-sapping journeys.

But that's enough of Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor.

Let's focus instead on League Two's own summit showdown where first and second were thrown together - a la Chelsea and Arsenal - in the way that only a fixture computer can when compiling its summer data.

To borrow a Premiership cliche, it was the "game of the season."

Except that someone forgot to tell Swansea City to turn up. If this really was a battle of the league's heavyweights, then the promoter should be sacked right now. At least, blood-spattered Brixton Brit Danny Williams lasted eight brave rounds in Las Vegas against the mighty Vitali Klitschko.

Swansea's knockout blow took only 40 seconds, the visitors spent the rest of the time on the ropes and they were only spared an embarrassing trip to the canvas by the colossal performance of Willy Gueret and some benevolent uprights.

1-0 it might have finished, but there was no disguising the chasm in class between leaders Scunthorpe and Swansea, who dropped to third on the back of this sorry defeat.

"'I thought Scunthorpe had the edge right the way through the game," said Swans boss Kenny Jackett, in a late entry for understatement of the year.

"As much as my players battled - and we could have had a scramble or two at the end on the break - we can't have any complaints about the result.

"On one individual performance I'd have to say they're the best season we've played this season. They're big, win headers all over the pitch, they're organised in terms of picking up the second ball and then they have some class in Peter Beagrie."

Ah yes, Beagrie. The 39-year-old winger who had waged a one-man war against Gueret's right-hand post until match-winner Steve Torpey also struck the same upright late on.

Beagrie's feet move quicker than Jill Halfpenny and Denise Lewis combined and he could show players half his age far more tricks than the somersaults which usually greet his goals.

Those celebrations would have been unwrapped but for efforts - a 25-yard shot on the run and a 20-yard free-kick either side of the break - rebounding off the post with Gueret helpless.

Then, when Beagrie was presented with a golden invitation to score from the penalty spot, Gueret atoned for his trip on Ian Baraclough by saving wonderfully.

Still, Beagrie was the game's most influential player, driving Andy Gurney and Roberto Martinez to distraction with an array of skills which ensured Swansea were penned back for painfully long periods.

On another bad day for Swansea's dodgy disciplinary record - four more yellow cards being added to a lengthy list - both Gurney and Martinez were grateful for the lenient nature of referee Lee Mason.

The Lancashire official has yet to dismiss a player this season and Gurney, lunging in two-footed in the final seconds, and Martinez, tripping Beagrie after a similar foul had earned him a caution, might have considered themselves fortunate to stay on the pitch.

"We have to reduce the bookings because it will cost us," conceded Jackett. "But I don't agree that Andy should have been sent off.

"I'd look at it the other way. There was no contact there, the lad skipped [over him] and was away, and the game could have flowed there."

So Swansea finished with 11 men, but with little credit as - apart from Gueret's defiance and the resilience of Garry Monk and Kevin Austin in central defence - there were few, if any, pluses for Jackett.

Even the loan move of Marc Goodfellow, the match-winner at Oxford in midweek, turned slightly sour as he was withdrawn for the more muscular approach of Andy Robinson after only 20 minutes. The Bristol City wideman showed what he thought of the decision by charging straight down the tunnel.

Scunthorpe, though, are marching forward as a unit, 22 points from the last 24 putting them seven clear of second-placed Yeovil.

"This game has sent out a message to everyone else," said Scunthorpe boss Brian Laws. "You've got to come and catch us and in this kind of form it'll take some team to do that

"This win could be the turning point of our season as we'd only have been two points ahead had Swansea won.

"But this win gives us a breather. If we do lose a game now we won't worry about it too much and bounce back."

Laws' only concern was Scunthorpe's failure to turn chances into goals - but not for the last time on the weekend a bloke called Steve supplied the X-Factor.

Torpey tucked home Matthew Sparrow's cross with

Swansea exposed by an incisive one-touch first-minute raid - and then it was just a case of how many.

"The goal was electrifying and if you saw that in the Premiership you'd see it time and again," purred Laws.

By then, the Glanford Park tannoy had stopped blaring the Queen hit, "Don't Stop Me Now."On this evidence nobody will.

FORMER Swan Steve Torpey backed both his old and current club for promotion after claiming the quickest goal of his 600-game career.

Torpey settled League Two's summit meeting inside 40 seconds - only his second goal against Swansea since becoming the costliest sale in Vetch Field history with a £400,000 transfer to Bristol City in August 1997.

"The goal almost caught me cold as it happened so quickly," said Torpey, who had celebrated his 34th birthday during the build-up to the table-topping clash.

"I could see the move building up on the right and I thought I'd better make my way into the box.

"The cross was between defender and goalkeeper and it was an easy task to tap it in as I was lurking around the far stick. It's the fastest goal I've ever scored."

Torpey managed 57 goals in 204 Swansea appearances from 1993-97 after Frank Burrows signed him from Bradford City for £80,000.

And the London-born targetman admits that he still keeps an interest in his old club's fortunes.

"I always look for Swansea's results and I was looking forward to playing against them here," he said.

"I think they'll be there or thereabouts this season. Maybe on this showing they didn't look a promotion-winning team, but they weren't second for no reason.

"I'd like to think we'll win the championship and Swansea will come second. I'll settle for that."

Despite the advancing years, Torpey remains more than a useful operator at this level and his return to the side after missing the first two months of the season has coincided with Scunthorpe's march to the top.

"We knew Swansea would make it hard, but it wasn't a surprise to win like that as we've been playing well," said Torpey after his seventh goal of the campaign.

"Our home form's been superb and we could have had four or five goals.

"We missed a penalty and hit the bar three times - and then you think, 'Oh no, are they going to go up the other end and nick one.' But we held on and fully deserved to win.

"We knew that if Swansea had won, the lead would have been down to two points. But now it's gone to eight points and that's a massive gap before Christmas.

"We've got a strong squad and the way we're playing we've got every chance of promotion this season."

SKIPPER Roberto Martinez reckoned Swansea City paid the price for their hectic travel schedule at Glanford Park.

The Swans arrived in Scunthorpe having previously visited Stockport and Oxford in the previous seven days.

Those games had yielded a worthy FA Cup draw and three valuable league points, but Martinez put Scunthorpe's early winner down to tiredness in the Swansea ranks.

"We have to learn to stop conceding early goals," admitted Martinez after ex-Swan Steve Torpey had found a way through inside 40 seconds.

"We did that at Southend and it cost us - and we've done it again here. But that happens sometimes.

"We've had a lot of mileage this week and that affects bodies. It took us five minutes to get to grips with the game and, as everyone will tell you, it's hard to play three times away from home in a week.

"It's something that needs an immense effort and you have to be prepared for that.

"But we've done that now and hopefully we'll have a little bit of an advantage in the final run.

"If we can get good form into our home performances for the rest of the season we'll be OK."

Martinez praised Scunthorpe's "winning" football but insisted the title race is still impossible to call with more than half the season remaining.

"Scunthorpe know exactly how to play in this division," said the Spaniard. "They're on a fantastic run and know how to win games at the moment.

"But there's still a long way to go after Christmas. We'll see in May who can catch them and we believe that we can do it.

"We have a lot of talent in our squad and we're still in a good position after some disappointing results.

"It was always going to be hard after such a bad start - the early goal motivated their performance - and we couldn't get going.

"They go from the back to the front very quickly and use their front two players well, but the disappointing thing for us is that we didn't use our pattern of play as well as we can."

SWANSEA City were Torpey-doed in League Two's summit meeting as an old favourite came back to haunt them at Glanford Park.

Former Swan Steve Torpey struck the decisive goal inside 40 seconds as league leaders Scunthorpe opened up an eight-point gap on Swansea - their closest challengers before kick-off.

But, in truth, it was a 1-0 massacre as Scunthorpe carved out chances at will, hit the post three times and were left cursing the brilliance of Swans goalkeeper Willy Gueret.

Many might have seen this as a lower-tier summit taster to the Premiership blockbuster between Arsenal and Chelsea today, but the gap in class between the two teams looked as wide as the league itself.

Swansea failed to muster a single shot on Paul Musslewhite's goal and had to wait until two minutes from time for their best opening, substitute Paul Connor drilling an angled chance wide.

Had Connor equalised, it would have been the biggest robbery since Dick Turpin was plying his own trade in the north of England, and Swans boss Kenny Jackett admitted as much after a defeat that dropped his side to third place.

"I can't have any complaints at all because Scunthorpe had the edge right the way through the game," said Jackett.

"Quite often in football you get what you deserve, and they were the better side.

"They won headers all over the pitch and they've got a class player in Peter Beagrie who can hold the ball. That's important in any team."

Jackett kept faith with the side which won 1-0 at Oxford in midweek, with Wednesday's match-winner Marc Goodfellow and Kevin Nugent both retaining starting roles.

That meant no place for either Andy Robinson - available again following his three-match ban - or Connor who had dropped to the bench at Oxford after scoring only once in the last two months.

If the presence of 35-year-old Nugent served to raise the average age of the Swansea side, Scunthorpe were also not short of experience.

Torpey and ex-Everton winger Beagrie are very much the wrong side of 30 and both have played key roles in The Iron's transformation from relegation scrappers to title contenders this season.

So, too, has Paul Hayes and the 14-goal striker was clearly determined to shine against the club that once employed his elder brother Martin.

Hayes' first contribution was telling as he sent Matthew Sparrow scampering down Swansea's left and the winger's low cross eluded everyone before Torpey arrived right on cue at the far post to bundle the ball home.

As against Southend in October, when Swansea were undone inside eight seconds, the visitors paid the penalty for a sloppy start and could not recover.

Adrian Forbes went close with a raking 35-yard drive that just cleared the home crossbar.

But Scunthorpe, confidence levels surging after eight wins in their last nine games, were bright in attack and the ever-alert Torpey almost poached a second after 12 minutes when he stuck out a foot to divert Beagrie's skimming free-kick.

Gueret held that effort on his six-yard line, but the big Frenchman was left groping thin air when the wily Beagrie cut inside Andy Gurney and struck a post from 25 yards.

Jackett had clearly seen enough of his troops being out-muscled in midfield, sacrificing Goodfellow for Robinson after only 20 minutes.

The on-loan Bristol City wideman showed his dissatisfaction with the decision by heading straight down the tunnel.

Still, though, Swansea made little headway and, but for the agility of Gueret, would have been left contemplating a heavy deficit by the interval.

Within the space of 60 seconds, the Swans 'keeper kept out Ian Baraclough's curling free-kick and batted away Richard Kell's point-blank volley.

Swansea were grateful to hear the half-time whistle as Scunthorpe sensed a second goal was there for the taking.

That moment almost arrived after a scrappy start to the second period, Beagrie sending a 20-yard free-kick over the Swansea wall and onto Gueret's right-hand post.

The rebound favoured Swansea, as did the direction of a loose ball moments later when Gueret collected Torpey's snapshot at the second attempt.

But there was no let-up as Baraclough burst onto Lee Ridley's pass and rounded Gueret.

The Frenchman brought Baraclough down to earn a yellow card, but atoned for that mistake by blocking Beagrie's penalty - and was then central to an incredible incident in the final 10 minutes.

Having parried Hayes' effort at the near post, Gueret saw Torpey's shot fly off his near post to Sparrow and the goalkeeper somehow quickly repositioned himself to block another goalbound effort with his legs.

Scunthorpe must have feared that they would be punished for their wasteful finishing and Connor, on for the ineffective Kevin Nugent, went close after being slipped through by the otherwise quiet Lee Trundle.

"Sometimes that happens away from home," said Jackett. "You get one chance and you take it. We've now seen the best side in the league at this stage and we've got to see if we can replicate their form in the second half of the season."

IT is seen in some quarters as the game that could decide the destiny of the League Two championship.

Victory for Scunthorpe today and Brian Laws' men could establish an eight-point advantage at the top of the table that Swansea might find difficult to haul back.

Three points for the Swans, however, and Kenny Jackett's second-placed side will remain firmly in the hunt to repeat their championship success of five years ago.

But Swansea skipper Roberto Martinez is not impressed by the hype. And the Spanish midfielder attempted last night to play down the significance of what most are predicting will be an explosive scrap for League Two supremacy at Glanford Park.

"Make no mistake - I agree that this is a massive game, especially on the back of our fantastic 1-0 win at Oxford in midweek," said Martinez.

"But we can't go to Scunthorpe believing everything rests on the match. Sometimes we put too much emphasis on the result of just one game.

"You hear things being said like 'If you win this match, it means you'll go on to be top of the league and get promoted.'

"It would be a big mistake to think that. Equally, if we go there and for whatever reason don't get a result, we shouldn't read too much into that either.

"There are many points to play for. We have to be realistic and take things one step at a time.

"Yes, we would like Scunthorpe's place at the top of the table. That's the ultimate aim.

"But first and foremost we need to think about securing promotion.

"And experience tells you that you can't fight for the championship until you're guaranteed a top-three place.

"Once we get one of those places, then we'll see what happens."

Nonetheless, Martinez agrees victory over a transformed Scunthorpe side that has won eight of their last nine matches and lost just once at home all season would send a clear message of intent to the rest of the division.

"Every single player and manager in our league will have been watching to see if we dropped points against Oxford," said the 31-year-old.

"It was a fantastic to answer them with a win, and, if we could pick up another three points at Scunthorpe, that would make people sit up and take notice even more.

"You always get a team that's on form in the division and that is Scunthorpe at the moment.

"They've found a good striker (13-goal Paul Hayes), who has given them that a bit of firepower they perhaps didn't have last season.

"And sometimes you need a kick in the backside just to wake up and realise that if you're not careful you could be relegated - something we know all about.

"They had that last season. They were one place above the relegation zone and, with all the turmoil surrounding Brian Laws (dismissed as manager but later reinstated) they realised they couldn't find themselves in that situation again.

"Everything is going well for them at the moment, but it'll be interesting to see how they react when things don't go their way. I don't think they've had a blip yet.

"After the Oxford result, we're back in touching distance. It was important we bounced back from two league defeats with a win, and another one would work wonders for confidence levels."

As well as the emergence of Hayes - the brother of former Swansea and Arsenal striker Martin - alongside ex-Swan Steve Torpey (pictured left) for the Ironmen, Scunthorpe are profiting from a more miserly defensive unit that has conceded only 19 league goals this term.

It has all contributed to United's surprise standing as promotion contenders in a year many people were tipping them for another struggle.

With the crucial Christmas programme round the corner, Swansea are positioned pretty much where they set out to be at the onset of the campaign.

And Martinez has brushed aside the one nagging criticism of Jackett's team, namely that they do not score enough goals.

He said, "I thought we controlled the Oxford match from the first minute. I can only recall them having three shots and that says a lot about our defensive capabilities.

"And going forward I thought we created enough to score a few goals and, when we did score, we sat back a bit and played for the result.

"Yes, if you want to be a bit critical, perhaps we could've won it more comfortably and tried to get more goals.

"But we have to be a bit clever. We've got eight games in 28 days and that's a big ask. You have to use your head when you're 1-0 up in a game, and that's what we did at Oxford."

Marc Goodfellow's second-half goal gave Swansea victory at the Kassam Stadium and the on-loan Bristol City winger should retain his place in north Lincolnshire.

That means Andy Robinson - available again after suspension - will probably have to settle for a place on the bench, while there could be a recall for Paul Connor up front.

"This is going to be a tough test for us, but we've got to play Scunthorpe some time and we're ready for it," said Martinez.

"The good thing is the new boys are making an impression in the team and we're getting everyone back from injury and suspension.

"We're in good shape and we can't wait to take on Scunthorpe on and hopefully cause an upset."

Swansea City face Scunthorpe in League Two's game of the season so far this weekend with Kenny Jackett declaring: "They're going up, we must join them." After six straight wins, seven consecutive home successes and a total of nine games unbeaten, Scunthorpe head into tomorrow's top-of-the-table crunch as Britain's most in-form team.

Jackett has paid a glowing tribute to Brian Laws's side, tipping the leaders to be battling it out for top spot in the division come May.

But while he admits taking on the Iron on their own patch will provide the stiffest possible test of his side's mettle, Jackett is in upbeat mood having collected positive results on the road at Stockport and Oxford this week.

"Scunthorpe have two very strong centre-backs in Andy Crosby and Andy Butler and two very strong strikers in Paul Hayes and Steve Torpey," the Swansea boss said.

"Then there is Peter Beagrie, who is still going strong, and really I don't think there is a weak player in their team.

"Nobody was talking about them going up in pre-season, but they have got the key positions sorted out and look to have the right recipe to win promotion from this division.

"This weekend will be a good barometer for us to see how we match up, but hopefully we have the recipe too."

Jackett will tinker with his side following Wednesday's win at Oxford, with Paul Connor expected to be reinstated alongside Lee Trundle in attack and Andy Robinson poised for a recall.

Robinson, available again following a three-match ban, could start on either side of midfield, with Adrian Forbes's twisted knee potentially the decisive factor in what looks a battle for a start with Marc Goodfellow.

"This is the kind of game every player wants to be involved in and I've got some nice selection problems again," Jackett went on.

"Scunthorpe are having a fantastic season, but we've got 36 points from 20 games and that's a fair return.

"Two points a game will get you automatic promotion and we're not far off that, so I'm pleased with the way things have gone.

"Having said that, there are still 78 points to play for so there's still time for a big swing, especially in league as tight as ours."

Although only three of those points are up for grabs at Glanford Park, Swansea are aware of the significance of this contest.

A win would close the gap on Scunthorpe to just two points, while a defeat would send the home side eight clear of Jackett's men.

"The fact that it's first against second will give my players good focus, and we're desperate to keep the optimism we've generated going," he added.

"Will we be pleased with a draw? We'll have to see how the game develops before deciding that."

Garry Monk, who plays tomorrow and will be available for Tuesday's FA Cup replay with Stockport, will have his appeal against a three-match ban for misconduct at Shrewsbury heard by the Football Association next Wednesday.

Travelling fans can pay on the gate in Lincolnshire after Scunthorpe abandoned an all-ticket policy.

SCUNTHORPE boss Brian Laws has turned the heat up on tomorrow's table-topping clash with Swansea City by declaring the rest of League Two are playing for just two automatic promotion places.

Laws' Scunthorpe have surged to the top - opening up a five-point lead, having taken 19 points from the last 21 on offer.

There have also been FA Cup wins over League One pair Chesterfield and Wrexham - and Swansea are the next team charged with halting the Scunthorpe juggernaut.

Second-placed Swansea are their closest challengers after Wednesday's 1-0 win at Oxford, but Laws has warned them that the red-hot Iron will cut their promotion options this season.

"We've displayed the kind of spirit and determination that teams who want promotion need," said ex-Nottingham Forest star Laws after Scunthorpe's sixth straight success in midweek, a 2-1 win at Cambridge secured by two goals in the final minutes.

"We have shown that we have got some resilience - even if we had to wait until the last few minutes to get the goals.

"That is what a promotion team does and that is the belief we have in the team this year."

Scunthorpe's feel-good factor has also been fuelled by next month's FA Cup third-round tie at the Stamford Bridge home of Premiership leaders Chelsea which could net the Iron close to £500,000.

And Laws said, "I think a lot of people would have been writing an excuse for us had we lost to Cambridge, saying our minds were on the Chelsea cup game.

"But this was massive for us. It shows everyone, while we're delighted with the cup draw, we are back into the league programme.

"Our fans have been fantastic and all I can say to them is 'keep it going.' We'll keep having a go as long as they keep believing in us."

Swans boss Kenny Jackett was keen to play down the importance of his side's trip to Glanford Park - trotting out the old cliche of it being "just about another three points" - but he did concede, "It is a barometer for us playing against the best team in the league."

Meanwhile, Wednesday's match-winner Marc Goodfellow has revealed he would like to extend his loan period at Swansea.

The on-loan Bristol City winger claimed his first Swansea goal at the Kassam Stadium and has now targeted a longer stay at the Vetch than the original one month.

"'Things are going well for me and, if I can keep playing, then I will have to look at the situation after the month and take things from there," said wideman Goodfellow.

"'I don't know what the future is at Bristol, but at the moment it's looking very doubtful that there is one.

"I have only played 20 minutes all season for Bristol City, so, from that point of view, there's not much of a future.

"I just want to play football no matter what league it is and, if the opportunity comes to extend the loan, then I will consider it."

Jackett spent a lot of time and effort bringing Goodfellow to Swansea in the first place and confirmed that the player falls within his budget limit.

"'I have been pleased with his work rate and the little bit of quality that he can give us going down the left-hand side," said Jackett.

"'We will have to see whether we make it a permanent move. But I have been pleased with his first three games and it was good to see him getting his first goal at Oxford. Hopefully that's the first of many."

WELSH football has been rocked by the latest racist storm to hit the game.

Police yesterday launched a probe into the aftermath of Swansea City's 1-0 League Two victory at Oxford on Wednesday night.

Swansea's black winger Adrian Forbes claimed he was racially abused as he headed down the tunnel at the final whistle and immediately told nearby stewards and the fourth match official.

Forbes and other Swansea players were interviewed yesterday - the squad had stayed in Oxford overnight before heading to Scunthorpe for their next fixture tomorrow - as part of the police investigation into the matter.

The Kassam Stadium affair comes after a few sorry weeks for football when racism has rarely been off the national agenda.

England players - among them Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ashley Cole - were racially abused during the friendly with Spain in Madrid and Birmingham City's Dwight Yorke and Didier Drogba, the Chelsea striker, have also been similarly taunted in recent weeks.

Forbes said, "As I came off the pitch one of their fans called me a cheating something, which I don't want to go into.

"I didn't rise to it. I just wanted to make the stewards aware of what was said. Luckily for me a woman who was sat next to this gentleman actually held her hand up and said she had heard everything.

"She pointed him out as he ran off. I did not say anything to him. I was just trying to get my point across.

"It's frustrating, but that's part of the game at the moment."

But Oxford United secretary Mick Brown last night said his club deplored the incident and backed the police investigation.

He said, "We take this matter extremely seriously and we are pleased that the police have got involved.

"We can confirm there was an incident as the players came off the pitch and one of the Swansea players was specifically abused by an individual near the tunnel area.

"As yet, this individual has not been apprehended, but we have CCTV footage as well as possible photographic evidence, so we are confident that this person will be identified."

Brown said this was the first time Oxford United had experienced such an incident since moving from their old Manor Ground four years ago.

"We have not had this kind of behaviour for many years," he said. "But the last time it happened at the old ground it led to a successful prosecution and, hopefully, that will be the case again.

"We want to make a loud and clear message to anyone who might be thinking about doing this sort of thing.

"We will not tolerate it and, if the individual is identified and the courts do their job, then a serious banning order will be put in place.

"As far as our club is concerned, we want these sort of people banned not only from Oxford United, but from every ground in the country."

Oxford - who are owned by Firoz Kassam, the Tanzanian-born millionaire hotelier of Indian extraction - have promised to review player-security issues at their stadium.

This could include the introduction of a pull-out tunnel which are now so popular at Premiership grounds.

Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins said, "Having discussed the matter with Kenny Jackett, it was agreed the first priority was to look after the players and make sure they were OK.

"The police went to the Oxford hotel the team were staying in to take statements from Adrian Forbes and Izzy Iriekpen.

"We're comfortable that the police are investigating what happened - in co-operation with Oxford United - and glad the matter has not been swept under the carpet.

"We're obviously appalled that some of our players have suffered racist abuse, but it just seems what happened during the England-Spain match a few weeks ago has resulted in other people following it on.

"The sad reality is people have joined in with it. I don't think our players will forget about this and we all wish something so nasty had never happened."

Marc Goodfellow celebrated his first goal for Swansea City and then declared: ''I would love to extend my stay.''' The on-loan Bristol City winger was the matchwinner as Kenny Jackett's side ground out a 1-0 victory at the Kassam Stadium over a poor Oxford United side.

Goodfellow popped up in the 61st minute to score with a rare header as he followed up from Kevin Nugent's blocked effort to take Swansea back into second in League Two and set up Saturday's top-of-the-table clash at Scunthorpe.

The former Stoke wideman is unsure of his future at Ashton Gate, but says if given the opportunity in South Wales he would consider a longer visit.

'''I would love to extend my stay to be honest,''' said Goodfellow.

''Things are going well for me at the minute and if I can keep playing and try to score a few more goals then I will have to look at the situation after the month and take things from there.

''I don't know what the future is at Bristol. At the moment it's looking very doubtful that there is one.

''They sent me on loan to Port Vale for a month and then I came here. I can't really say what's happening without speaking to the manager (Brian Tinnion).

''But I have only played 20 minutes all season for Bristol City, so from that point of view there's not much of a future.

''If I have to go back there and try to get in the team then I will, but I just want to play football no matter what league it is.

''If there was no other club I would go and play with my mates as long as I could play.

''If the opportunity comes to extend the loan then I will consider it.''

Jackett has liked the look of Goodfellow since he arrived at Vetch Field last month.

He would not say whether the winger was set for a longer stay, but added: ''He's on a month's loan and we are having a look at him to see if he can fit into our set-up.

''I am always looking to improve my team with players who fit into my budget. Marc is a player who falls into that category.

''I have been pleased with his work rate and the little bit of quality that he can give us going down the left-hand side.

''We will have to see whether we make it a permanent move. I have been pleased with his first three games and I was very pleased with him getting his first goal tonight.

Goodfellow's goal came after Jon Ashton was sent off for a second booking in 10 minutes midway through the second half. He pounced after Roberto Martinez's free-kick found Nugent, whose header was blocked and Goodfellow was at the far post to nod the ball home.

It was the only real bright spot in what was largely an uninspiring game, but the winger says it was important to get the victory to set up the weekend's all-important clash.

''Everyone is really looking at the big game on Saturday,'' said Goodfellow.

''Let's hope we can get the right result.''

Swansea City may have won only three stars from this trial in the League Two jungle. But when it comes to crowning the kings next May, it might just be enough for them to say: ''We've won promotion, get us out of here!''

Points make prizes, as manager Kenny Jackett has pointed out all week, and with 26 games left there are 78 to play for.

Almost halfway through the season Swansea are just four points adrift of the total the manager feels they should have at this stage of the campaign.

Swansea had to work hard to lift their tally up to 36 and at times they struggled to kill off an Oxford side, who looked exactly what they were - a team who had won only twice in 10 outings and desperately short of confidence.

This was not a vintage performance from Jackett's men by any stretch of the imagination, but although the Swansea boss may have thought his team should have won at a canter, he will quite happily take the three points which came courtesy of Marc Goodfellow's first goal for the club.

Jackett knew the importance of this trip to the Kassam Stadium. Back-to-back league defeats and talk of indiscipline after the 2-0 defeat by Shrewsbury which saw two of his players sent off had put pressure on his squad, arguably for the first time since that 3-0 defeat in the Carling Cup at QPR in August.

A victory was needed, not only to see his side leapfrog Yeovil and Macclesfield and back into second spot after Tuesday's results, but to restore some of the confidence lost following those losses at Gay Meadow and at home to Bury.

But in a turgid opening Swansea looked anything but a team who could see off a struggling Oxford outfit and set up a top-of-the-table clash with Scunthorpe at the weekend.

In fact, bringing the three points back home at that stage was looking as likely as Paul Burrell sitting in a bath of snakes.

There was no significant goalmouth action for the sparse crowd to feast on and the only true piece of quality in the first quarter came when Roberto Martinez's inch-perfect pass picked out Lee Trundle.

But despite a glorious first touch, the finish did not match the build-up and Trundle's cross-shot was blocked by Jon Ashton.

At least that did spark the home side into life and ex-Birmingham striker Tommy Mooney shot just wide.

That proved only brief respite and, despite not being at their best, Swansea dominated a poor Oxford team.

Goodfellow and Trundle both wasted decent opportunities before Andy Gurney's header from a pinpoint Adrian Forbes cross was directed straight at keeper Chris Tardif, who made a comfortable save.

That profligacy almost cost dear, when Mooney, who Jackett had picked out as a potential dangerman, shot inches wide.

The Swansea boss was quick to point out that when dominating, his team should go for the kill.

''We had a very good half and had a number of chances particularly from Lee Trundle,'' said Jackett.

'''I did think that it was maybe going to be one of those days. At this level you do need to score when you're on top and we had a number of efforts.

''But I said to Lee that the time to start worrying is when you don't get chances and he is such a quality striker that if he keeps getting those amount of chances on a regular basis then he will score.''

Jackett may have rued those missed opportunities on another night, but on this occasion he need not have worried, although he had to thank the intervention of Premiership referee Paul Danson.

The Leicestershire official had hardly endeared himself to the Oxford fans with a number of decisions they believed had gone against their team.

But they could not have had too many complaints at the decision that changed the outcome of the game.

The home support might have believed it wasn't going to be their night when Willy Gueret somehow kept out Lee Bradbury's goal-bound header with a superb one-handed save.

By the 61st minute that feeling would have grown even more after Ashton's sending-off and Goodfellow's goal.

Ashton was booked 11 minutes earlier for holding back Trundle and gave Danson no choice but to show him yellow again when he stepped in front of Forbes as Swansea attacked once more.

Oxford caretaker boss Darren Patterson described it as a minute of madness as, from the resulting free-kick, Kevin Nugent got to Martinez's delivery with a header which was blocked before falling to Goodfellow and he made no mistake with his header from close range.

That should have been the cue for Swansea to go on and claim an easy win.

But some late pressure from the home side and a late intervention from Oxford old boy Sam Ricketts, when he denied Bradbury with a last-gasp tackle, almost saw Swansea surrender the lead.

Jackett knows his side will have to be on the top of their game come the big clash at Glanford Park and he wants his side to show a meaner streak in future.

''Possibly it should have been a bit more comfortable,'' he admitted.

''We didn't particularly get our tactics right when we were breaking at them. What you need to do in those instances is be solid defensively and not concede, which we did.

''But there were opportunities to kill the game off and that's the biggest thing we need to get right.

''If we are going to be ruthless it would be nice to finish sides off.''

Swansea did eventually kill off the Oxford challenge but they will need to show they do possess that mean streak against Scunthorpe - otherwise it could be the Iron who could be crowned kings.

WITH the gap at the top of the table in danger of becoming more of a chasm, Swansea City made a timely return to the League Two title race last night.

Kenny Jackett's men moved back up to second with this crucial victory and in doing so set things up perfectly for Saturday's crunch clash with league leaders Scunthorpe United.

Marc Goodfellow's second-half header - his first Swansea goal since joining on loan from Bristol City two weeks ago - was enough to overcome 10-man Oxford in a match that will not live long in the memory.

It was not a vintage Swansea display - Jackett's men had to hang on towards the end, despite being on top for the most part - but, after back-to-back league defeats, it was another of those nights when the result mattered more than the performance.

Boos rang out around the Kassam Stadium at the final whistle as home fans vented their displeasure at a result that leaves managerless Oxford flirting with relegation.

The Us - who had defender Jon Ashton sent off on the hour mark for a second bookable offence - were so poor at times that Swansea would have received some flak of their own had they failed to pick up at least a point last night.

After Tuesday night's results had knocked them out of the automatic promotion frame, Yeovil and Macclesfield having leapfrogged them, the pressure was on Swansea to recover from back-to-back defeats against Shrewsbury and Bury with a win.

And, though the Swans made hard work of the first half, failing to make the most of a clutch of chances, Jackett will be delighted they achieved a maximum return from the first of two matches that could make or break their hopes of clinching the League Two title.

The result trims Scunthorpe's lead at the top back to five points ahead of what could be a pivotal summit meeting with Brian Laws' side at Glanford Park. Somewhat harshly in the light of his solid FA Cup showing at Stockport last weekend, Alan Tate dropped back to the Swansea bench as Garry Monk returned from suspension.

One other change to the Swans line-up saw assistant boss Kevin Nugent preferred to Paul Connor - paying the price, it would seem, for a lean spell in which he's gone more than 400 minutes without a league goal.

A goal of any description would have been sweet relief in a turgid opening half-hour at the Kassam.

With the ball spending rather too much time at high altitude, shots on goal were at a premium and quality moments on the ball were just as rare.

Swansea's top-scorer Lee Trundle, though, almost gave the 563-strong contingent of travelling supporters something to cheer on 18 minutes when he raced onto a precise Roberto Martinez pass and took a couple of touches before having a fierce cross-shot blocked by back-pedalling defender Jon Ashton.

The football struggled to rise above the mediocre but, as the first-half wore on, it did at least look increasingly likely that Swansea would score.

After keeper Willy Gueret and midfielder Kris O'Leary combined to thwart Oxford's former Portsmouth striker Lee Bradbury at close range, the Swans went on the offensive.

From an Adrian Forbes cross, Andy Gurney forced a smart save from U's keeper Chris Tardif with a thumping header before the ever-alert Trundle fired into the side netting after manufacturing another low left-foot shot.

Before the break, though, there was another scare at the other end when Bradbury's much-travelled strike partner Tommy Mooney let rip with a punishing 20-yard drive that whistled merely millimetres wide of Gueret's left-hand post.

With Oxford fifth from bottom ahead of the match and looking every inch a side that had suffered eight defeats in 10 league and cup outings, Swansea really ought to have been at least 1-0 up at the interval.

The first chance of the second half fell to the home side, Matt Robinson whipping in a devilish cross from the left and Bradbury drawing an instinctive one-handed save from Gueret with a header that lacked pace.

Goodfellow might have done a little better on 55 minutes when he cut menacingly through the middle. Despite having Trundle to his left and Nugent to his right, the on-loan Bristol City winger chose to go it alone, though in fairness he produced a strong 18-yard effort that tested Tardif's handling skills.

Six minutes later, though, Goodfellow had Tardif beaten. Ashton's foul on Forbes earned him a red card and Swansea a free-kick out on the left.

Martinez delivered a superb inswinger and Nugent had a header blocked, but the ball fell kindly for Goodfellow to head home at the far post.

Lifted by their goal, Swansea continued to power forward and the hard-working Forbes produced a drilled effort that was just a little too close to Tardif.

But there was also some defending to be done and Swansea - who introduced Connor and Ijah Anderson for Nugent and Trundle and switched to 4-5-1 - had Oxford old boy Sam Ricketts to thank after he got a vital block on Bradbury's close-range effort.

Alan Tate is set for the axe at the Kassam Stadium tonight despite his man-of-the-match performance for Swansea City in the FA Cup. The former Manchester United youngster was the star man for Swansea as they held League One strugglers Stockport to a 0-0 draw on Saturday.

But with Garry Monk returning to the squad between post-Shrewsbury bans, Tate is expected to be the one to miss out against Oxford.

Jackett was playing his cards close to his chest over his line-up, but as well as the change at the back, he is deliberating a switch up front, with Paul Connor likely to be the unlucky striker.

The Swansea boss says whoever wins between Tate and Monk will not let him down. ''To choose between two good players - and that's what it is - is obviously a tough one, but it's a nice decision for a manager to have,'' said Jackett. ''The tough decisions are when you have holes in your team which need filling. The question is then is how do you fill those?

''To choose between two good players with one playing and one a substitute is exactly what you want as a manager. That is the type of environment you want to create as a club.''

Jackett has been disappointed with the goals tally. In 19 league games Swansea have hit the target only 20 times and Jackett may go with assistant player-manager Kevin Nugent ahead of four-goal Connor.

''We had 16 shots on Saturday against Stockport,'' he said. ''They were reasonable shooting opportunities and generally our shooting and goalscoring is something we can improve on.

''We have had more corners than any other team in the league and we haven't scored enough from those or other set-pieces.

''Goals should come from everywhere and our defenders need to chip in, too.

''They have done very well defensively, but they have to take some responsibility and get on the end of things at the other end.''

While Jackett is surprised to see Oxford languishing near the bottom of the table, he is not taking them lightly tonight, despite a run which has seen them win just twice in 10 league games.

And he has pinpointed ex-Premiership strikers Lee Bradbury and Tommy Mooney - Oxford's leading scorer this season with five - as the dangermen.

Swansea have dropped to fourth place after wins last night for Yeovil and Macclesfield.

Scunthorpe pulled seven points clear at the top and eight points in front of Swansea after two goals in the final two minutes secured a come-from-behind 2-1 win at lowly Cambridge.

Victory tonight will take Swansea back up to second.

Kenny Jackett will be telling his players to forget about the league table ahead of their double away days at Oxford and Scunthorpe this week. The Swansea City manager has set points targets for survival, the play-offs and automatic promotion.

Yeovil, Leyton Orient and either Lincoln or Macclesfield, who all play tonight, could overtake Swansea, while Scunthorpe could move eight points clear of Jackett's men if they win at Cambridge.

But the Vetch Field chief says it there is no point worrying about what other sides achieve.

''There are certain targets,'' Jackett says. ''I would say it's 50 to avoid relegation, 75 to get into the play-offs and between 80 and 85 should be enough for automatic promotion.

''You are better off saying how are we going to achieve those targets rather than wait for someone else to fail.

''Even if Scunthorpe fall away - which I don't think they will - then Lincoln could come through or Northampton could put a run together.

''It doesn't really matter to me what the others are doing.''

By the time they arrive at the Kassam Stadium for the clash with Oxford tomorrow Swansea may well be out of the top three, but Jackett does not believe that will put any extra pressure on his players.

''I would rather be in first or second rather than fifth,'' he added, ''and the affect that has on everybody is there to see.

''But if you look at the points totals now there is a very small margin between quite a number of clubs - it has tightened right up.

''I know Scunthorpe have a little bit of a gap, but for the rest it's wide open.

''What that does is make you focus on the future and the games coming up and capitalising on them.

''It's about what you do and our side looking good enough.

''When you focus too much externally you can miss what's happening in your own team.

''If you can concentrate on your own squad then you will be able to get it going in order to get the number of points required you need at the end of the season.''

Swansea have lodged their appeal with the Football Association of Wales over Garry Monk's three-match ban.

Jackett expects the hearing to be called ahead of the home match with Notts County on December 18, one of the three games Monk will miss if the suspension decision is upheld.

The club were hoping that Sky would choose to televise the FA Cup second round replay against Stockport next week which would have brought in £75,000, but TV bosses have decided to show Notts County's clash with Swindon next Wednesday.

Meanwhile, thanks to the recent increase in capacity on the North Bank, the club is offering fans the chance to buy season tickets at a reduced price.

They are available on a first-come-first served basis from the club's ticket office in William Street - £132 for adults and £72 concessions.

Buying the tickets will also guarantee admittance to the final game at Vetch Field on April 30 against Shrewsbury.

DARK superstition, negative thinking and rank bad luck - Swansea marksman Paul Connor aims to blast all mental demons and end his goal drought at Oxford tonight.

Former Stoke player Connor hasn't landed a League Two strike since his Swans' 4-2 defeat at Southend back on October 16 - that's 406 minutes of soccer.

Yet sweet relief against the struggling U's at the Kassam Stadium would see Connor notch the 60th goal of a pro career that once promised so much up at Premiership Middlesbrough.

The acute frustration which Connor endures now is mild discomfort to what he suffered for three years at the Riverside under then Boro boss Bryan Robson.

The Bishop Auckland-born attacker, now 25, drifted on to Stoke and then Rochdale to prove his mettle - alongside battle-hardened names such as Clive Platt and Cardiff attacker Peter Thorne.

Reflected Connor, "The disappointment I had at Middlesbrough was quite severe at the time. It's always harder when your local club lets you go.

"I scored plenty of goals in the reserves and had a prolific partnership with Andy Campbell. The only difference was, Campbell got a first-team chance and I didn't.

"Robson was convinced he had to spend big money on players like Fabrizio Ravanelli and the Brazilian Branco rather than relying on the local talent.

"It seems as if Steve McClaren is giving the home-grown youngsters more of an opportunity these days."

Winger Stewart Downing, Anthony McMahon, James Morrison, Andrew Davies and Stuart Parnaby are all where Connor yearned to be.

Yet 210 appearances in his locker have made the blond Teessider cope with most of the anguish football does throw up. He reflected, "I once scored 18 goals in a season at Rochdale - that's my best tally so far.

"I should be getting more goals at Swansea and I'm not really sure why it's not happening for me in Wales.

"Since I arrived last March, I've worked hard and have confidence that things will turn around for me.

"Some strikers are very superstitious - they'd alter their pre-match ritual if their goals dried up. There was no-one worse than Peter Thorne during my years at Stoke

"Thorney was a great bloke, but everything had to go to an exact plan before kick-off. He used to play these relaxation tapes - he was convinced that it prepared him for every eventuality on the pitch!"

No-nonsense Connor is certain that lucky charms, ties, socks or numbers bear no relevance in his case. The tall predator's real motivation is to see Swansea clinch automatic promotion by May - and avoid the play-off failure he tasted at the Britannia Stadium in 2000.

The Potters lost a two-legged Second Division semi-final affair 5-3 on aggregate to Gillingham - Graham Kavanagh and Clive Clark calamitously red-carded in the Priestfield clash.

"We were 3-2 up from the first leg at Stoke, but somehow lost the return at Gillingham 3-0," explained Connor, adding, "That was a massive setback which lived with me for quite a while.

"I don't want Swansea to experience the same thing. I believe we are capable of grabbing a top-three spot, though.

"League Two is a tight division, but we have nothing to fear from anyone. I think all the Swans players are relishing the challenges that Oxford and the leaders Scunthorpe bring.

"Scunthorpe are the first club to steal a march. The incentive for us will be to haul them back into the leading pack come Saturday."

Connor is almost certain to continue up front alongside Lee Trundle, but Kenny Jackett has a selection dilemma at the other end of the pitch.

The Swans boss must decide whether to keep faith with defender Alan Tate - impressive in Saturday's scoreless FA Cup draw at Stockport - or restore Garry Monk, who is available again after suspension.

For Swansea's visit, Oxford will remain under the caretaker control of youth boss Darren Patterson, who took over first-team duties when Graham Rix moved upstairs.

SWANSEA CITY chief Kenny Jackett has thrown down the promotion gauntlet to his players by saying, "Get me the 85 points we need for League One football."

Jackett knows his Vetch squad currently clutch a passport to escape their section and regain the status they lost in May 2001 - just 12 months after lifting the old Division Three championship in a winner-takes-all skirmish at Rotherham.

Going into tomorrow night's match at Oxford, the second-placed Swans trail Scunthorpe by five points and are only two ahead of Yeovil and Leyton Orient.

Swansea's position could alter after tonight's league programme but Jackett said, "I'm not looking at what our rivals are doing.

"We have Oxford and then we go to Scunthorpe on Saturday. With the sort of players we possess I expect us to win both matches.

"In August I had a number of points targets in my head. I'd say we require between 82-85 points for automatic promotion and 75 to make the play-offs.

"We've currently got 33 and if we don't add to that total we will be playing our football in the Conference next season.

"People say you need 50 to avoid relegation - that's nine less than we managed to achieve during our last campaign.

"As a manager you need to be strong mentally. I set myself points totals and then ask myself how the squad will achieve them, rather than relying on another club to fail."

Jackett knows the word failure can never enter his vocabulary, particularly at a football club which has seen 14 managers in 15 years and one that is set to move into a new £25m 20,000 all-seater stadium at Morfa.

"I'm realistic to know that I have to bring success quickly to Swansea City," reflected Jackett.

"In management these days you have to hit the ground running, but I still feel we're emerging through a transitional period.

"When I first came in last April I felt a number of players needed moving on.

"Contracts had to be paid up and it was only then that I could bring new faces in."

Garry Monk is available after a two-match ban and will compete against Alan Tate and fit-again Izzy Iriekpen for a starting spot at the Kassam Stadium.

The Swans are set to appeal against any further punishment for Monk's part in the 'Shrewsbury storm' on November 20, with a further three-game ban hanging over the defender.

Jackett said, "We need all our best players available. If my squad is at full strength we can compete against anybody in our section.

"But we certainly need to improve our goal scoring if we are to correct two successive league defeats.

"In the FA Cup at Stockport on Saturday we had 16 shots and many were reasonable scoring opportunities.

"I'm a man for stats. We force more corners than any other team in our section, so that tells me our defenders are not doing well enough from set-pieces."

Swansea City will appeal against defender Gary Monk's three-match suspension for miscounduct.
Monk had been cleared of assaulting referee Eddie Evans during last month's game at Shrewsbury.

But the defender still fell foul of the authorities after failing to leave the field promptly when he was sent off.

The ban is due to start on 16 December, ruling Monk out against Notts County, Kidderminster and Boston on the 28th.

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Evans fell to the floor amid player protests but the FA of Wales disciplinary panel decided the incident was accidental.

Swansea have also written a letter to the FAW asking for a hearing after being charged with failing to control their players at Shrewsbury.

This was not an FA Cup tie that will live long in the memory, but Alan Tate hopes he has left a mark in Kenny Jackett's mind. Swansea City will get another chance to win a place in round three one week tomorrow thanks chiefly to a return to their miserly ways at the back.

''We were a bit more like our old selves,'' said a satisfied Jackett.

The Swansea boss had Willy Gueret to thank for a couple of spectacular saves, but this first clean sheet in five matches was based around centre-back Tate.

Life under Jackett has not been easy for the player snatched from Manchester United by former boss Brian Flynn.

The new man in charge inevitably brought his own ideas and, amid a flurry of defensive signings, Tate has gone from central figure to one of the supporting cast.

With one of Jackett's recruits, Garry Monk, suspended, Tate received his latest summons from the bench seven days before the trip to Stockport County.

He was exposed for the first goal in Bury's 3-1 win at Vetch Field, and the announcement of his sponsors' man of the match award on the Tannoy near the end was greeted with a mixture of laughter and jeers by sections of the home support.

''I did notice the reaction,'' said Tate.

''That was a bit disappointing, but I suppose the fans weren't going to be happy whichever one of our players got man of the match after a 3-1 home defeat.

''Hopefully the whole thing will make me stronger.''

Significantly, Tate left the Vetch nine days ago without collecting his champagne prize.

With Izzy Iriekpen's knee on the mend, he might have gone home wondering whether he would be axed from Jackett's line-up once more at Edgeley Park this weekend.

But Tate kept his place, and he should have no qualms about accepting the plaudits which have come his way in the wake of his faultless showing at Stockport

''I spoke in the week about Alan playing well between mistakes, as happened against Bury, and I've talked to him about it,'' Jackett said.

''There are two or three mistakes sometimes in his game which, in the position he plays, you can't afford to make.

''If you're a forward or a winger and you give the ball away or make a mistake it's not so vital, but as a centre-back it's all about consistency.

''We've talked all along about eradicating mistakes and today he did that.

''He did very well and I do believe there's a player there. He is only 22 and is already a very capable player. When we knock those slight chinks out of his game he'll be a very good one.''

With his place suddenly in jeopardy, Tate probably did not see eye to eye with Jackett when he arrived from Loftus Road last spring, but this weekend there were promising signs.

''The manager pulled me to one side the night before the game and earlier on in the week and said that I've got the ability and that you can't put that there,'' said the 6ft 1in defender.

''But he said I've got to think about defending as well as going forward and that's what I'm going to try to do.

''He was probably right to say I have made the occasional mistake - maybe the first goal against Bury was my fault - but I was pleased with the way things went this weekend.

''I felt it was one of my best performances of the season and hopefully I've done enough to keep my place at Oxford on Wednesday, because I don't feel I've done anything to merit getting dropped.''

Monk, Swansea's vice-captain, is available in midweek after part one of his post-Shrewsbury ban, meaning Tate's starting berth will again be under threat.

''Alan will be hurt if I leave him out, of course he will, and I've got a very tough decision to make,'' Jackett said.

''But that's the kind of choice I want, because that sort of competition is good news for the club.''

One to ponder, then, for a manager whose side will surely be otherwise unchanged on the return to league action after a decent cup display which might have brought more reward than a replay.

Swansea did enough to end the interest of League One's bottom club at the first attempt, with Lee Trundle coming closest to breaking the deadlock with a 20-yard shot which rattled the crossbar.

The description by one regular Stockport-watcher of their performance as wonderful gives a good illustration of the trouble they are in.

They were at home and they were the higher division side, yet in an end-to-end contest Swansea had more shots at goal.

Having each gone close in the first half, Marc Goodfellow, growing in stature with each minute that passed, and Paul Connor both missed fine opportunities to settle the contest late on.

There were chances at the other end, mostly for Stuart Barlow, who was twice denied by Gueret and once by Kevin Austin on the line.

The former Everton striker also had a penalty claim for a tug by Andy Gurney rejected in injury time, while Swansea were convinced Goodfellow had been felled just inside rather than outside the opposite box.

Maybe the draw was a fair result.

''I think it probably was and we'll hope to go one better in the replay,'' said Tate.

''But we all remember what happened last year, and we have to forget about the cup now and concentrate on the next game which is at Oxford.

''Hopefully, this result will help us get our league form going again.''

And it might just help Tate keep his place in the side.

Kenny Jackett cast an envious eye towards promotion rivals Scunthorpe after the FA Cup third round draw handed Swansea City a possible trip to Reading. League Two leaders Scunthorpe landed a money-spinning trip to Chelsea, while non-leaguers Exeter and Yeading also claimed plum ties against Manchester United and Newcastle respectively.

There was no such luck for Swansea, though, who will take on Steve Coppell's Premiership hopefuls at the Madejski Stadium on January 8 if they can get past Stockport in a replay a week tomorrow.

But with his side in the hat thanks to Saturday's creditable draw at Edgeley Park, Jackett was putting on a brave face after yesterday's draw.

''There's a degree of disappointment,'' he admitted, ''especially when you look at what Scunthorpe and Exeter have got.

''But having said that it's nice for us just to be in the draw with the big boys and going to Reading will mean the chance to play at a terrific stadium against a good team.

''They're a club who've done fantastically well to move up the leagues in recent seasons and are now in with a shout of making it to the Premiership.

''If we do face them - and we still have a significant hurdle to clear in the replay against Stockport - then it will be a great opportunity for us to pit our wits against some very good players.''

There may be some more positive cup news for Swansea this week - as hosts one of only three second-round replays, they could attract the Sky cameras to Vetch Field.

''In a sense we've turned the Stockport tie around,'' added Jackett. ''Going there made it a tricky tie, but now we're going to be at home and that's a game to look forward to.''

Stockport's caretaker boss Mark Lillis was not exactly relishing the prospect of a trip to South Wales, saying: ''I was Scunthorpe coach when they played Swansea in the play-offs a few years back and I know what to expect down there - a right battle.''

Jackett, meanwhile, has told his players to put the Stockport rerun to the back of their minds with key league games to come at Oxford on Wednesday night and then Scunthorpe next weekend.

''Getting a positive cup result has put us in good shape at the start of a tough week on the road. Now our attention switches to Oxford and the big game at Scunthorpe on Saturday,'' he said.

Garry Monk returns from part one of his post-Shrewsbury suspension at the Kassam Stadium and is likely to see the additional three-match ban he received for misconduct last week put back after Swansea confirmed plans to appeal.

The Oxford game is not all-ticket for travelling fans, but £2 reductions are available on tickets bought in advance from the William Street office. Official travel club bookings are also being taken.

ALAN TATE turned in a genuine man-of-the-match display on his return to Manchester - then begged Swans boss Kenny Jackett, "Please don't drop me this time."

The former United defender had such a hit-and-miss performance against Bury nine days ago that sections of the Vetch Field crowd reacted with bewilderment when he was announced as Swansea's star man.

If that award had been somewhat dubious, Tate was fully deserving of such an accolade on this occasion as he successfully kept Stockport's former Everton striker Stuart Barlow at bay.

And, though Garry Monk is now available again after suspension, Tate hopes his outstanding FA Cup showing will convince Jackett to keep faith with him in Wednesday's League Two trip to Oxford.

"I did notice some of the crowd reacted when I got the man-of-the-match award against Bury and I was a bit disappointed by that," said Tate.

"But something like that doesn't kill you - it makes you stronger.

"And I was really pleased with how I performed against Stockport. It was probably one of my best displays of the season.

"I'm hoping that the manager doesn't drop me after that.

"There have been times this season when I've been left out of the team even when I've played well, but hopefully that won't happen again."

Tate added, "The manager has said to me there's no doubt I've got good ability, but I need to concentrate on my defending as well as going forward.

"He's probably right that I do make the occasional mistake - perhaps the first goal against Bury was my fault - so I just need to work on that part of my game.

"I realise that in the position I play, you can't really afford to make mistakes."

Swansea have a busy eight days ahead of them, with a League Two summit meeting with Scunthorpe sandwiched in between the Oxford game and the FA Cup replay.

"You're obviously glad to be in the hat for the third-round draw, but we could've done without a replay because the games are starting to build up," Tate said.

"The Oxford game is important in terms of getting our league form back. And these next two matches will have a big bearing on how we're going to do in the second half of the season.

"We can take heart from the strong performance against Stockport. It was gritty and it was determined."

SWANSEA CITY have followed Manchester United in banning their players from signing autographs to beat racketeers.

The Premiership club imposed the ban at its Carrington training ground earlier this year.

There were reports that children were being hired to pose as genuine young fans asking stars like Ryan Giggs to sign United shirts.

They would then be sold on the internet or in pubs, clubs, shops or markets for five or six times market value.

Now, Swansea City has imposed the same sanction after learning that some people are cashing in on the rise in demand for club memorabilia because they are in their last season at the Vetch Field.

Along with the Ospreys regional rugby team the Swans will move to a new 20,000-seater stadium in Morfa next season.

Club director Dave Morgan said, "We had a bloke in asking the whole squad to sign a large-scale photo of the Vetch.

"There was a clear possibility it could have been photocopied and sold commercially.

"The other thing is that because we are leaving the Vetch there are more and more requests for autographs as club merchandise relating to the days at the Vetch could be valuable in years to come.

"The result is that players, usually only too glad to meet the fans and sign autographs, are being inundated."

The ban will not stretch to genuine charities or genuine supporters of the club who can make arrangements for autographs through official channels.

Fake Swans merchandise is also said to be circulating in and around the city.

A statement issued by the club yesterday said, "We would like to inform supporters that with it being the final season at the Vetch Field, unofficial merchandise is being sold around the city.

"Any merchandise not purchased from official sources will result in those profits not benefiting the club or its supporters.

"Please show your support by only buying from official outlets.

"Also, personal requests for merchandise to be signed by the club squad will be declined due to the volume of requests."

Fake team shirts are said to be costing British clubs millions of pounds a year in lost revenue.

The copy kits are often sold at a fraction of the price of official merchandise.

Paddy Harveson, Manchester Utd's director of communications says the club uses regular "sweeps" with local police and trading standards officers to address the problem.

He said, "I think we are one of the most pro-active brand protection clubs in the UK but others will have to follow suit."

Among the official merchandise Swansea City are offering "in memory" of the Vetch Field are 1,000 limited edition commemorative box sets.

Half of them (£150 each) have already been sold.

They contain:

- a book telling the story of the Vetch Field and the many characters who have played on it or worked there;

- Vetch DVD, which is a film packed with tales of "heroes, zeroes, tears and smiles";

- photographic book done in conjunction with Swansea Institute containing stunning photographs past and present of the Vetch;

- Sounds of the Vetch - from the North Bank in full song to match-day banter, interviews and fans' tales etc;

- Virtual Vetch, a computer-aided guide through the stadium;

- A Gren original print, a special gift from the Welsh cartoon genius;

- a piece of the Vetch Field turf boxed so it can be kept for generations.

- match-day programmes.

LEE TRUNDLE believes Swansea's strong FA Cup showing demonstrated their ability to perform at League One level, writes Ian Hunt.

The promotion-chasing Swans were never outclassed at Edgeley Park on Saturday and at times played the better football.

And, though struggling Stockport are hardly the most formidable of League One opponents, Trundle believes Swansea advertised their credentials to step up.

Trundle claimed, "I think we've shown again that we'd have no problems performing in League One.

"OK, Stockport are struggling to get out of the relegation zone. But, although they're at the bottom, you can't take away the fact they're a division higher and we were more than a match for them.

"We never looked out of place and, if anything, we looked like the side in a higher division.

"We dominated the game and got more shots in than they did.

"If we do get promotion this season, we've got no reason to worry about what we'd face in League One.

"Perhaps a bit more football is played in League One, but we're a footballing side anyway, so that league will suit us more."

Swansea's top scorer is already relishing the chance to dump Stockport out of the cup at the second attempt in eight days' time.

"I didn't manage to score on Saturday, but perhaps I'll have a bit of magic in the replay at the Vetch," smiled the man whose goals lit up last season's FA Cup run.

"I'd think we would be favourites to win that game because, as I said, we were the better side at Edgeley Park. We dominated it.

"First, though, we've got to make sure we get good results in the league at Oxford and Scunthorpe this week.

"As exciting as it is to play in the FA Cup, we're never going to win the competition.

"The league is the priority and we've got to concentrate totally on that for the next few days."

ARSENAL, Chelsea and other such Premiership giants were on the minds of the Swansea City players after this absorbing second-round FA Cup tie.

An excursion to Highbury or Stamford Bridge would have been fitting reward had Kenny Jackett's side managed to cap a full-blooded performance at Edgeley Park with a winning goal.

Instead, it is the prospect of a third-round trip to Championship high-flyers Reading that provides the incentive for the Swans getting past Stockport at the second attempt in eight days time.

Not quite the stuff of FA Cup dreams, a visit to the Madejski Stadium, but the confident manner of Swansea's weekend display suggests a skirmish with Steve Coppell's side would hold little fear for them.

Much more entertaining than the scoreline suggests, this was a game Jackett's men might have won had they managed to compliment their impressive approach play with a more clinical finishing touch.

Though Stockport had moments in which they made a mockery of their lowly League One placing, Swansea were generally the more enterprising of the two sides.

Cup replays are often regarded as a hindrance to sides pre-occupied with thoughts of promotion, but for the ever-enthusiastic Jackett it continues to be a case of the more games, the merrier.

"Taking Stockport back to the Vetch for a replay is an achievement," Jackett insisted.

"We've turned it from being a tricky away draw to a home tie that we'll be confident of winning.

"And we've got the carrot of knowing who we play in round three.

"Things are never straightforward, but I'm delighted we're still involved in the FA Cup. I'm already looking forward to the replay next week."

Yet Swansea came close on a number of occasions to avoiding the need for a replay - just not quite close enough.

Marc Goodfellow had a shot pushed round the post and Lee Trundle hit the bar in a first half overflowing with exciting counter-attacking football played at a fast and furious pace.

Likewise the second half, when cup specialist Trundle saw a perfect pass across goal go begging and Goodfellow missed from close range five minutes from the end.

Equally, though, Stockport, reproducing all the passion caretaker-boss Mark Lillis showed on the touchline, themselves had ample chances to book an automatic ticket to round three.

But goalkeeper Willy Gueret - possibly Swansea's player of the season so far - had yet another superlative 90 minutes and kept out former Everton striker Stuart Barlow with smart saves in either half.

So too did Alan Tate, who recovered from some shaky moments against Bury seven days earlier with an almost flawless performance in the centre of Swansea's sturdy defence.

With the on-loan Bristol City winger Goodfellow beginning to shine and Adrian Forbes making some strong, productive runs, Jackett had good reason to feel content as he returned down the M6.

"I felt we controlled long periods of the game and, to some extent, it was there for us to win," said the Swansea manager.

"There was plenty of good movement, it's just that we perhaps lacked a finishing touch. We had 17 shots, but didn't hit the target with enough of them.

"We had a slight edge over Stockport, though. Despite being the away side, we had a bit more possession and control of the ball.

"For an away performance, Lee (Trundle) saw a lot of the ball. He kept getting it to his feet.

"As for Marc (Goodfellow), I thought he showed a lot of quality. His confidence is slowly coming.

"Our supporters responded to him. When he got on the ball, people were off their feet. That's the type of player he is.

"He could've won the game for us in the second half. I've got a lot of belief in him."

Stockport - who sent on former Swans loan keeper Neil Cutler for the second half - had further chances to claim a rare victory, mostly through the rampant Barlow.

But Tate was having none of it. The former Manchester United defender will expect to hold onto his place in Wednesday's league match at Oxford after he and Kevin Austin so successfully shut out the Stockport strikeforce.

"Barlow is one of those players who, down the years, always seems to score against my teams," said Jackett.

"He's a clever player and when he came off the bench I thought, 'Oh no, here we go again.'

"But Alan played him very well. He had a good game and it would be harsh to leave him out against Oxford. He'd be upset if he wasn't in the side.

"But having to chose between Alan and Garry - and Izzy Iriekpen, of course - is just the sort of decision you want as a manager.

"I have to say that at times this season, our subs bench has looked formidable. That's a good indication of the strength of the club."

After putting the shock of successive defeats behind them, Swansea resume their league campaign with a top-two clash at Scunthorpe coming on the back of their trip to the Kassam Stadium.

"Even though we haven't won the cup game, the performance puts us in good shape for the league games coming up," said Jackett. "We've got a big week ahead of us. Oxford and Scunthorpe are important matches for us, so we've got to put the FA Cup to one side."

SWANSEA City will be in the hat for today's FA Cup third round draw - but Kenny Jackett's men haven't yet guaranteed their place alongside the Premiership big boys.

The Swans held Stockport County to a goalless draw at Edgeley Park yesterday so the two sides will have to battle it out again in a Vetch Field replay on Tuesday week if they're to have any hope of a money-spinning Third Round duel with one of British football's elite.

League One basement boys Stockport, just two pyramid places above League Two high-fliers Swansea, were furious they didn't have a late penalty as sub Stuart Barlow claimed Andy Gurney tugged him back. The former Everton striker also missed two sitters while Swans stopper Willy Gueret was in inspired form to ensure the Swans still cling to their FA Cup dream.

Swansea, in fairness, created great goal openings as their FA Cup goal king Lee Trundle smashed the crossbar while Marc Goodfellow squandered a late chance to snatch the tie.

So Jackett, concerned in the wake of Swansea's first back-to-back defeat sequence this season, will be buoyed as his men dominated spells of their first ever FA Cup duel with Stockport and the Vetch chief will fancy his team to do the business at home, where they've lost just twice this season.

Swans' fans will now dare to dream of another FA Cup adventure, remembering last season's rollercoaster ride that was ended so abruptly by Tranmere Rovers in Round Five. Saying that, though, the Vetch club haven't reached back-to-back FA Cup Round Three ties for 14 years. County, meanwhile, haven't graced Round Three since 2002.

Jackett said: "That was not a bad result. Overall I'm pleased as we're in the hat for the draw and take them back to the Vetch where we're strong.

"It's particularly difficult to play a struggling team whose manager has just left because they're in a transitional period. I thought we controlled long periods of the game and, to some degree, the game was there for us to win but we didn't. We had 17 shots on goal but didn't hit the target with enough of them.

"However, we've built a reputation for being hard to beat and we looked more like our old selves as we were solid and that's something we can build on. We had a lot of good possession for an away performance and if I can keep doing that I'll be pleased."

The hosts, under the stewardship of caretaker boss Mark Lillis since the sacking of ex-Northern Ireland chief Sammy McIlroy last month, gave the Swans a taste of what was to come as fiery Jim Goodwin floored Roberto Martinez with a nasty two-footed lunge in the third minute but the Stockport midfielder escaped with just a caution.

Jackett's men, though, had a point to prove. And the Welshmen played all of the football in the opening quarter, as if they were the home team.

Whippet winger Goodfellow let fly from 20 yards and his blast was heading for the bottom corner of James Spencer's goal until Damien Allen's leg got in the way. Goodfellow then smashed the rebound just over.

Lee Trundle was wearing his dancing 'Magic Daps' as he found space on the edge of the box, skipped past two defenders before unleashing a 25-yard rocket that cannoned against Spencer's crossbar.

Fast transforming into a typical end-to-end and pulsating Cup cracker with no lack of commitment, County had grabbed themselves a foothold and should have taken the lead on 25 minutes.

Barlow, the early replacement for crocked Feeney, was more or less handed a goal on a plate thanks to Jon Daly's delicate dink between Swansea's square backline which put the former top-flight hitman one-on-one - but Barlow was superbly denied by Willy Gueret's brave block.

Barlow's biggest howler, though, was 10 minutes before the break as he missed a sitter from three yards. Daly headed John Hardiker's right-wing centre across the goal-line and Barlow, under pressure from Austin, headed over with the goal at his mercy as stranded Gueret could just look on helplessly.

City were restricted to rare attacking raids and perhaps Trundle should have found either Adrian Forbes or Goodfellow, both free on the back post, when Martinez fed him with 20 minutes remaining, but Swansea's bag of tricks top-scorer went for glory and his fierce blast was agonisingly close to Connor.

The Swans had seemingly weathered Stockport's storm and enjoyed late domination. Connor, for the second time in five minutes, had his head in his hands as he almost deflected his strike-partner Trundle's shot into the Stockport goal.

Lively Goodfellow, borrowed from Bristol City, thought he should have had a penalty as Hardiker bundled him to the turf but referee Mike Pike judged the foul was outside the box. And Goodfellow should have snatched the Swans an FA Cup Third Round place in the last couple of minutes as marauding Trundle's blocked shot fell nicely for the 23-year-old, but he couldn't divert the ball in from six yards.

Before the Vetch re-run, Swansea, second in League Two, face two league trips to Oxford and top-of-the-table Scunthorpe - and Jackett said: "We've got to put the FA Cup to one side and, after all, the league is the priority and Scunthorpe will be a massive game."

TEN months after swapping Manchester United for Swansea City, Alan Tate returns to his old patch today determined to revitalise his Vetch Field career.

Tate was given a ticket to regular first-team football in February when Brian Flynn coaxed him into leaving the plush surroundings of Old Trafford to kick-start his career in South Wales.

But, having been an almost automatic choice under Swansea's former manager, Tate has been forced to play the role of squad player under current custodian Kenny Jackett.

Today, though, just a short spin round the M60 from the Premiership club where he spent 11 formative years, the 22-year-old centre-back hopes to start afresh.

Tate aims to play a key role in helping Swansea reach the third round of the FA Cup when they meet League One strugglers Stockport at Edgeley Park.

Garry Monk's suspension has re-opened the first-team door to the former Red Devils trainee - and he's determined it won't be slammed shut in his face again.

He admits, "It's been doing my head in, not getting regular first-team football this season.

"I've spoken to the manager and told him how I feel about it.

"I asked him whether playing well would keep me in the team and he said 'yes.'

"So I've just got to perform as well as I can and hopefully I will keep my place in the side."

Tate, who returned to Jackett's side for last week's 3-1 defeat against Bury, would not have envisaged being stuck on the periphery when he cut his Manchester ties after two successful loan spells at the Vetch.

And Tate is characteristically frank in his assessment of his current first-team fortunes.

"When I first came down from United, things went well because Brian Flynn was right behind me," said the man from the north east town of Easington.

"Brian left and Kenny came in and a new manager is bound to have different ideas and opinions about players.

"But the frustrating thing for me this season is when I've been put in the side, I've been taken out for the next game - unfairly so, I think, because I haven't played badly when I've been called upon.

"It's just that the manager has had his settled back four.

"So, to a certain extent, it feels as though no matter how well I play, I'm not going to keep my place in the team."

Edgeley Park might seem a world away from Old Trafford, but that won't stop the memories flooding back as Tate visits a few old haunts this weekend.

"I lived in Manchester for five years and I was on United's books for 11, so it's always good to go back to the city," said Tate. "I lived in the Salford area, which is near United's old Cliff training ground where we trained last night ahead of the Stockport match.

"Stockport's only 25 minutes from Old Trafford so if I get time I might go back and see my old landlady.

"Stockport were actually one of the clubs that enquired about me earlier in the season and I probably could've gone there.

"I'm glad I didn't go. But it's always an option if things don't work out."

Tate is keen to erase memories of his last act in an FA Cup game - being sent off for a supposed elbowing offence in Swansea's 2-1 fifth-round defeat at Tranmere in February.

"That was my first game in the FA Cup, so it didn't turn out to be the best of introductions," said Tate. "It was a shame because I was having a decent game. It was probably one of my best performances of the season.

"But everyone who saw that game knew the referee got it wrong. Even he admitted he got it wrong. That happens.

"I still enjoyed my 84 minutes on the pitch, though, and, hopefully, I can do well against another side in a higher division this weekend."

And Tate knows who he wants in the next round should Swansea claim another cup conquest in the north west.

"The dream tie for me is Sunderland away or even a game against them at the Vetch as I've been a fan of the club all my life," he says. "I'd love to play them in the third round and then United away in the fourth!

"It would be nice to play in front of Sir Alex Ferguson again. He was always honest to me in my time at United, so I've got no complaints about him."

So what of Stockport? League One's bottom club are searching for a new manager after Sammy McIlroy quit last week in the wake of a disastrous run that saw the Hatters collect just four wins from 23 matches and ship 47 goals in the process.

"Stockport are struggling at home, but they beat Huddersfield in the last round of the FA Cup, so maybe they're a cup team," Tate warned.

"They'll be trying to get their league form going through this competition, while we'll be trying to make sure the cup doesn't affect our league performances.

"They're only three places above us in the league structure so there's no reason why we should be scared of them."

Former Swansea loan goalkeeper Neil Cutler is expected to be on the bench for Stockport - under the caretaker control of McIlroy's No 2 Mark Lillis - while Jackett might make three changes to the side that slumped against Bury.

It would include Roberto Martinez and Kris O'Leary returning to midfield, with Gary Fisken dropping out and Andy Gurney slotting back into defence at the expense of Ijah Anderson.

Up front, Paul Connor will be restored for Kevin Nugent, while there could be a return on the bench for long-term absentee Izzy Iriekpen.

SWANSEA CITY were dealt a hefty blow last night when the disciplinary case against defender Garry Monk ended with him receiving a three-game suspension.

The former Southampton centre-back, a key figure for theSwans this season, had earlier been cleared of assaulting a referee by a Football Association of Wales disciplinary panel.

The charge was brought after referee Eddie Evans fell to the floor amid the protests which followed Monk being sent off in last month's stormy 2-0 defeat at Shrewsbury.

Instead, Monk was hit by the lesser charge of misconduct for failing to leave the field promptly following his red card - and was informed last night the punishment would be a three-game ban.

It comes on top of the two-match suspension he received automatically for picking up a second red card of the season at Gay Meadow.

That had already ruled the 25-year-old out of tomorrow's FA Cup clash at Stockport, but the new ban does not come into force until December 15.

That means Monk will be available for the next two league matches - at Oxford next Wednesday and Scunthorpe three days later - but will miss home matches against Notts County and Boston and the trip to Kidderminster over the Christmas period.

Unless, that is, Swansea decide to appeal against the ban, but that seems unlikely.

Swansea have also written to the FAW asking for a hearing after being charged with failing to control their players at Gay Meadow.

"It's not ideal to be dealing with this sort of thing on Thursday, two days before a big FA Cup game," admitted Swans manager Kenny Jackett.

"But I wouldn't say it's disrupted our preparations in any way because, firstly, we knew Garry was suspended for the Stockport game and, secondly, I've got a very able assistant in Kevin Nugent, who took training for me," added Jackett, who accompanied Monk to Cardiff for yesterday's hearing.

The fall-out from the ill-tempered Shrewsbury encounter continues to govern Jackett's team selection as midfielder Andy Robinson is also banned for the red card in the same match.

That means on-loan winger Marc Goodfellow will continue on the left wing in Robinson's absence, while Kris O'Leary and Roberto Martinez should be restored in the centre of midfield after serving one-game bans.

Jackett believes the clash with League One's bottom club - currently managerless following the departure last week of Sammy McIlroy - provides his men with an opportunity to prove their credentials to play at a higher level.

"We've already beaten one League One team - Luton, in the LDV Vans Trophy - and this is another chance to prove we can compete with teams in that division," said the Swansea manager.

"That said, there's not a great deal between us and Stockport in terms of league placings.

"We'll go there with a good chance. It's open for us to make progress."

Jackett added, "Getting to the third round, with the chance to play against one of the Premier League big boys, is a massive carrot for us.

"I'd love a Premiership side in round three - the bigger, the better!

"But my immediate thoughts are on us going to Stockport and putting on a good show. We played well in the first-round match at Cheltenham last month and I'd like us to build on that."

WELSH businesses are being offered the chance to own part of Swansea's £27m new soccer and rugby stadium.

Swansea city FC and the Ospreys launched an innovative new membership scheme for the stadium last night. They have teamed up with global corporate hospitality company Premier Club to launch Wales' first sports stadium "business club".

The club essentially gives people the chance to own their own seat at the 20,000-seat stadium and could net up to £10m for the Swans and Ospreys in their first five years at the so far unnamed stadium at Morfa.

The Swansea Premier Club was launched at Swansea's five star Morgan's Hotel last night with the ringing of the two clubs' specially made brass ship's bell.

Swansea captain Roberto Martinez and the Ospreys' Barry Williams rung the bell together and it will next be rung if either club wins a major tournament or promotion. Players and management from both sides joined 200 local business people at Morgan's last night.

Premier Club offers an exclusive group of 1,175 members their own permanent luxury seat in the stadium's West Stand where organisers say they'll have the best view in the house.

Platinum and Gold members will have access to that seat for any event, whether a friendly match or a major pop concert.

Members will also have exclusive access to a Premier Club Lounge and a five-star restaurant as well as enjoying access to the Premier Club's national sporting calendar of events which hosts, among others, the British Open Golf tournament and Wimbledon.

A five-year membership has a £500 joining fee, with a lifetime membership joining fee costing £1,000, followed by monthly payments. In the past six weeks, 391 seats have already been sold.

Ashley Donlan, project manager for the Premier Club said, "We are essentially selling a piece of real estate because people will be able to own part of the stadium, plus all money raised goes into the revenue of the clubs.

"This is a great opportunity for businesses in the Swansea area to come together to support not only the Stadium but the success of the Swans and The Ospreys."

Swansea City defender Garry Monk has been cleared of assaulting a referee by the FA of Wales disciplinary panel. The charge was brought after referee Eddie Evans fell to the floor amid player protests when dismissing Monk in last month's game at Shrewsbury.

However, Monk picked up a three-match ban for misconduct after failing to leave the field promptly.

The ban will start on 16 December, ruling Monk out against Notts County, Kidderminster and Boston on the 28th.

Swansea can appeal within the next 10 days and manager Kenny Jackett is considering an appeal.

They have also written a letter to the FAW asking for a hearing after Swansea were charged with failing to control their players at Shrewsbury.

Izzy Iriekpen gave Swansea City boss Kenny Jackett a timely boost ahead of Saturday's FA Cup second-round clash with Stockport after coming through a Pontin's Holidays Combination Cup tie. The central defender, who has been struggling with a knee injury since September, played 45 minutes for Swansea's second string and, providing he suffers no reaction, will be in Jackett's squad for Saturday's trip to Edgeley Park.

Reserve team boss and player-assistant manager Kevin Nugent confirmed Iriekpen reported no problems on his return to action.

''It's all about how Izzy is over the next couple of days,''' he said.

''It was always the plan to play him for 45 minutes and he came through it without a problem.

'''We will keep a close eye on him, but if there is no reaction then he will definitely be up for selection on Saturday.''

Iriekpen looked strong and solid but he could not help Swansea get through this cup-tie with a win which their play deserved.

Swansea took the lead after only four minutes through the lively Mark Pritchard, but some sloppy defending 48 seconds into the second half allowed Lewis Haldane to equalise and Sam Duggan added the second 14 minutes from time to take Bristol through.

Swansea created enough chances to have at least taken the game into extra time but some errant finishing and good goalkeeping from Richard Henniger denied them at least a share of the spoils.

On chances created Nugent's young team edged an entertaining affair, but after being given the ideal start, they failed to capitalise against a youthful Rovers outfit.

Swansea went when Pritchard pounced on Jacob Guy's through ball to give Henniger no chance from the edge of the box with his weaker right foot.

Chris Bales, a 22-year-old midfielder who has been starring for Merthyr this season, shot wide soon after and Rovers were struggling to get a foothold.

Pritchard went close to extending the lead after good work from trialist David Evans before a free-kick from the Charlton midfielder led to Iriekpen forcing the best out of keeper Henniger with a flicked header.

The visitors had not tested Brian Murphy in the Swansea goal for most of the half but as half-time approached the lively Lewis Haldane, one of a handful of Rovers players with first-team experience, saw his long-range effort comfortably saved before forcing the Irishman into a decent low parry.

Swansea had dominated the first period and were denied a second by a top-class stop from Henniger, who beat away Bale's half-volley after good work from Pritchard and Guy.

Iriekpen was substituted at the break and less than a minute into the second half Swansea conceded the equaliser.

Lewis Powell was allowed to cross to the centre where Haldane provided the calm finish.

Despite the leveller Swansea continued to press forward and Steve McNabney on two occasions and Evans both tested Henniger, but he was equal to the test and kept the scores level.

Then just as it appeared that the game would head into extra time the impressive Rob Sheriton provided the killer pass to allow Duggan to grab a second for the visitors, rolling the ball past Murphy low to his left.

Swansea: Murphy, March, Iriekpen (Roberts 46), Jones, Surman, Guy, Bales, Corbisiero, Evans, Pritchard, McNabney. Subs not used: McDonald, Letheren, Smitham, Thompson.

Swansea City's Alan Curtis is set to join John Toshack's Welsh coaching revolution. The 38-times capped international will link up with former Wales colleagues Brian Flynn and Joey Jones as part of a coaching dream team to oversee the nation's youth football.

Former Swansea and Wrexham boss Flynn will take over as full-time Wales Under-21 boss from Glyn Hodges and he will also have control of the Under-19 and Under-17 sides.

And he has called in his former Wales team-mates to assist him on a part-time basis.

The shake-up, which sees Neville Southall, Kevin Ratcliffe, Ian Rush, Mark Aizlewood and Clayton Blackmore lose their positions, was believed to have been approved at a special meeting of the Football Association of Wales's full 28-man committee in Caersws yesterday.

No official confirmation has been received from the FAW, but Curtis confirmed last night that he had accepted Flynn's invitation to join the Wales coaching set-up.

''I am delighted to have been given the chance,'' said Curtis. ''I will still carry on my job as Swansea City's director of youth football and take on this job part-time. It was never a case of leaving the club.

''It is an honour to be given the chance to work for Wales. Hopefully, too, this new position can be of benefit to the club.

''It is a prestigious position and will bring Swansea to the fore.

''That should mean in the long-term that we can attract more youngsters to the club.''

Flynn has led the Under-21s before during Terry Yorath's reign as Wales manager.

He lost the job when Bobby Gould took over at the top.

Under Jimmy Shoulder the Under-21 side lurched from one disaster to another before Hodges restored some much-needed stability.

Now Toshack believes he has the right men to help him in his attempt to fast-track the top talent into the senior side.

Toshack, Flynn, Curtis and Jones know each other well after their time together in a successful Wales side of the 1970s.

Flynn, overlooked for the senior manager's role, is regarded as the best man around to bring through the cream of young Welsh talent.

Curtis, who worked alongside Flynn at Swansea, has also got a strong background in age-group football and is a highly respected figure at Vetch Field.

The news of the shake-up comes on the day Toshack was due to unveil his new-look team at senior level.

A press conference was called for this afternoon at the Vale of Glamorgan Hotel where the new Wales chief was set to confirm the positions of Roy Evans and Salvador Iriarte.

Ex-Liverpool boss Evans is expected to deal with coaching and administration with Iriarte, who worked alongside Toshack at Real Sociedad, coming in as Toshack's main coach.

SWANSEA CITY midfielder Leon Britton yesterday admitted he fears for his Vetch Field future.

The 22-year-old Londoner said he will have to consider a move away from the League Two promotion chasers if he continues to watch matches from the dugout.

Britton has only started three matches for the Swans since August and failed to make last Saturday's starting line-up against Bury - even though Swans chief Kenny Jackett was without three midfielders.

"Things have not gone the way I would have hoped for this season," said the former Arsenal and West Ham player.

"I've only got six months left on my contract at Swansea and, the way things are going for me at the moment, it's not looking too good."

He added, "On Saturday we had three first-choice midfielders out, but I still didn't start. That really disappointed me because I thought I would go straight into the team.

"If I'm not going to play when three midfielders are out, when am I going to get a game?"

"The fact I didn't get picked against Bury does worry me. It's not looking too good for me at Swansea.

"I'm not forcing the issue here, but I've got to look after myself and, if things don't improve, then I've got to look at sorting out my future."

Britton, sidelined for Saturday's FA Cup trip to Stockport County with an ankle injury, started Swansea's first five matches of the 2004-05 campaign.

But Jackett wielded the axe after the dismal 3-0 Carling Cup loss at Queens Park Rangers and Britton was among the casualties.

The ex-England Youth international has spent most of the season keeping the bench warm as a substitute since the Loftus Road defeat.

And Britton, whose last start came in the 1-0 home win over Bristol Rovers on November 5, will seek talks with Jackett if his situation at the Vetch does not change "within the next three months."

He said, "I've been on the bench for three months and I've told the manager I'm not happy with the situation," continued Britton.

"If I'm not playing games at Swansea, then maybe I can go out on loan somewhere.

"Then I can play and prove to another club that I'm worth a contract.

"If I have to sort out my future then I want to do it well before May.

"The number of players who are out of work at the end of the season is frightening. I don't want to be one of them.

"I don't want to be in the position where I'm being released by Swansea in May after the last game of the season.

"Even if Swansea did offer me a new contract, I would find it hard to accept it because of the way things are going for me."

Britton was brought to the Vetch - initially on loan - by former Swans boss Brian Flynn in December 2002.

He signed for the club permanently in June 2003, penning a two-year deal after a series of eye-catching displays which saw him collect the Swans' Player of the Year and PFA Fans' Player of the Year awards.

The man from Merton has made 18 outings for Jackett this term, although 10 of them have been as a substitute.

"I've still got a lot to offer Swansea. I'm only 22. I'm still young, although I accept I'm still learning," said Britton, one of the most skilful players at the Vetch.

"If I get a run in the side, I will do a good job for the team. But I need to be given a chance."

Britton replaced Adrian Forbes during the 3-1 reverse at the hands of Bury and an ankle injury capped a forgettable afternoon for the Swansea substitute.

"When you come on as a sub, you're involved in the team, but you're not contributing as much as you would like," he said.

With the ex-Queens Park Rangers No 2 building a mean, hard side at the Vetch, some observers reckon the 5ft 5in Britton does not fit into the Jackett jigsaw.

"My preferred position is in central midfield, but the manager doesn't see me there in a 4-4-2 system," he explained.

"In this division you need players who can be physically tough and who can fight - but you also need players who are skilful.

"You need players who can handle themselves, but you also need players who can do something on the ball."

Swansea City are keeping fingers crossed that Izzy Iriekpen will finally recover from a knee injury in time for Saturday's FA Cup clash with Stockport. After a string of false starts in the race to shake off a worrying problem, Iriekpen looks closer than ever to playing for the first time since September 11.

But manager Kenny Jackett is refusing to pin his hopes on the former West Ham defender after weeks of promising signs.

"Izzy has got pace and power and is a big presence at the back," Jackett said.

"He also talks very well and we would like to have him back for the weekend.

"We hope he will make it, but then we have done for the last three weeks.

"Each time he hasn't been able to do three consecutive days' training without his knee blowing up, so by the weekend our optimism has gone.

"But the knee does look better than it has been for some weeks so we're keeping our fingers crossed."

Should Iriekpen come through, he would be favourite to land a centre-back role alongside Kevin Austin in the continued absence of Garry Monk.

That would mean Alan Tate stepping down after an inconsistent showing against Bury last weekend.

The announcement of Tate's official man-of-the-match award in the 3-1 defeat was greeted by jeers from some sections of the Swansea support, but Jackett has leapt to the ex-Manchester United youngster's defence.

He said: "I thought Alan played well against Bury.

"The problem is he is capable of having an excellent game and still making two or three mistakes which could result in goals.

"I've highlighted these incidents with Alan and talked to him about eradicating them.

"Alan's a good player with a lot of qualities that I like.

"When he cuts out the mistakes - and it is a case of when rather than if - he will be a very good player.

"Finding that consistency will allow Alan to go far in the game."

Jackett, who also gave youth-product Stuart Jones a mention after his second-half showing against Bury, believes his side have put back-to-back defeats behind them ahead of their second-round trip to Edgeley Park.

"It's a massive week ahead starting with Stockport and then the two league games.

"What we're looking for is a bit more cohesion in our performances because, understandably, we lacked that in the Bury game."

The top-of-the-table clash at Scunthorpe in 10 days' time has been made all ticket for travelling fans.

An allocation of 1,500 tickets are on sale from the William Street ticket office priced £14 adults and £8 OAPs and under-16s.

IT is tempting to suggest a spot of therapeutic exercise is just what some Swansea players need right now to calm them down a bit.

But the recent spate of red and yellow cards is not, insists Vetch No 2 Kevin Nugent, the reason the Swans have been limbering up for their FA Cup clash at Stockport with some stress-relieving yoga sessions.

Gone are the days, it would seem, when the Swans players would squeeze in some extra fitness work by pounding up and down the sands of the nearby Swansea Beach.

Boss Kenny Jackett, preparing the Vetch Field squad for their second-round cup clash at Edgeley Park on Saturday, has introduced his men to more modern methods.

"The players have just had their first yoga class and most of them seemed to enjoy it," said Swansea striker and assistant boss Nugent.

"It's not a 'tree-hugging' thing, one of those things people do for team-bonding purposes.

"We're doing it because we feel it could help people recover from injuries more quickly, prevent them occurring in the first place or even help prolong their careers.

"The sports scientists are stressing the importance of exercises that make the muscles more flexible and supple.

"Things like yoga are different to what we do in normal training, which involves a lot more muscle contact.

"I'm not sure whether we'll make the sessions compulsory - we're thinking of doing some Tai-Chi sessions as well - but a few of the players might do some yoga on their own.

"I remember Ryan Giggs saying he'd found it beneficial as it helped him with a hamstring injury he'd picked up.

"So it's not a new thing. It's just that in the past Swansea have perhaps been a bit behind other clubs in realising the benefits of this kind of exercise.

"Yoga might not be everyone's cup of tea, but the players are open-minded about these things."

After suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time this season last weekend, Jackett would be delighted if the session paid some kind of immediate dividend at Stockport.

Swansea are seeking to set up a potentially-lucrative third round glamour clash after dispatching Cheltenham at the first hurdle last month.

Midfielders Roberto Martinez and Kris O'Leary and striker Paul Connor will be available again after suspension, but Leon Britton will be out of action for up to three weeks with an ankle knock he picked up the 3-1 defeat against Bury.

Unless, that is, the yoga does the trick and speeds up his recovery.

Kenny Jackett has blamed himself for last weekend's home beating by Bury, admitting: ''I got it wrong.'' Swansea City were defeated on their own patch for the first time since the opening day of the season and are also coming to terms with the loss of Leon Britton to injury ahead of Saturday's FA Cup second-round tie at Stockport.

The absence of five first-team regulars through suspension seemed a key factor in Bury's 3-1 Vetch Field success, but the ever-honest Jackett has turned the spotlight on himself.

''We got outnumbered in midfield and I should have played three in there rather than going with my two wide players,'' the Swansea boss said.

''We changed it in the second half and that thickened us up a bit, but it cost us in the first half.

''Even when you play 4-4-2, you sometimes need someone whose instincts are to tuck inside a little bit, particularly when you're playing against three in midfield.

''When you look at the games we've lost this season, a lot of them, like Northampton, Macclesfield and now Bury, have been when we were up against a 3-5-2 formation.

''It's a big thing to make sure you're not outnumbered in midfield, and they're the games where we've had particular tactical problems.

''On Saturday I do feel I got it wrong.''

However many midfielders Jackett picks at Stockport, they will not include Britton.

The ex-West Ham man took a heavy bang on the ankle soon after arriving from the bench against Bury and is likely to be sidelined for between two and three weeks.

Gary Fisken also missed training yesterday with knee and nose problems while James Thomas (knee) and Brad Maylett (hernia) are both at least a fortnight away from possible returns.

''It's a blow to lose Leon, but the good news is that Thommo is looking and feeling as good as he has done for some time,'' Jackett added.

Garry Monk's Football Association of Wales disciplinary hearing will take place on Thursday morning, though the club are still waiting for a date to answer the charge levelled against them following their stormy clash with Shrewsbury.

Swansea's second string welcome Bristol Rovers to the Vetch tomorrow night (7pm).

Tickets for Stockport, which must be bought in advance, are on general sale from 10am to 2pm every day this week from the William Street ticket office. Alternatively phone (01792) 633425.

Travel club bookings are also being taken for the trip to Edgeley Park and the League Two matches at Oxford and Scunthorpe next week.

Tickets priced £3 are still available for Cyril's Christmas Party, which takes place next Sunday afternoon between 1pm-4pm at the Dolphin Hotel.

ROBERTO MARTINEZ last night hit back at criticism of Swansea City's disciplinary record by insisting, "The whole thing has been blown out of proportion."

Club captain Martinez was one of five Swansea players forced to sit out Saturday's 3-1 defeat against Bury at the Vetch through suspension.

The glut of absentees was thanks in no small part to the Swans having two men sent off - defender Garry Monk and midfielder Andy Robinson - in a stormy 1-0 reverse at Shrewsbury seven days earlier.

Monk is set to attend a Football Association of Wales disciplinary hearing on Thursday to answer allegations of assault levelled at him for his part in the incident which ended in referee Eddie Evans tumbling to the ground at Gay Meadow.

And, with Kenny Jackett's men boasting one of the worst disciplinary records in League Two (they have received 47 yellow cards and four red cards in all competitions this season), fears have been raised that Swansea's promotion chances could be harmed if they do not clean up their act.

Martinez, though, does not share such concerns and is unhappy the issue has received so much attention.

"The whole thing has been blown up out of all proportion," said Swansea's Spanish midfielder, likely to return for the FA Cup trip to Scunthorpe on Saturday.

"There are lots of good things we could be talking about, but for one reason or another people are concentrating on this negative aspect.

"I don't know why that's the case - perhaps it makes good headlines to took about the disciplinary record.

"But it is a ridiculous thing to talk about because we are not, and never really have been, a dirty side.

"Having five players suspended for Saturday's match after what happened at Shrewsbury was unique.

"I doubt something like that will ever happen again.

"One manager I spoke to last week said, 'I can't believe you've got five players missing for the Bury game the way you play football.'

"That's a fair point because we're not an overly-aggressive side. Swansea City have always tried to play attractive football. I don't think we've got one dirty player in the squad."

Martinez missed the Bury match as he, along with midfield colleague Kris O'Leary and striker Paul Connor, had picked up a fifth booking of the campaign at Shrewsbury.

The former Real Zaragoza playmaker continued, "People might say we've got the worst disciplinary record in the league, but sometimes statistics can be misleading.

"A team might have conceded 10 goals in three games, but what if nine of those were in one match?

"You've got to look behind the stats and see what the yellow and red cards were given for. Some of them were harsh.

"I can't think of any that were issued for violent or overly-aggressive behaviour

"As I said, having five players out suspended was a unique situation and it won't happen again.

"If we keep on picking up cards at the rate we have done so far this season, then perhaps people will have a right to criticise, but I don't think we will.

"I don't think the disciplinary record will prove to be a problem for what we are trying to achieve.

"It's not key to success. You're not going to have people suspended like that every week."

Boss Jackett will accompany Monk to the FAW hearing that will determine whether the two-game ban the defender received for his Shrewsbury red card will be extended.

Monk faces allegations of assault even though referee Evans stated in his match report he was not pushed over by the former Southampton defender after sending him off.

Swansea have yet to respond to the additional FAW charge of failing to control their players at Gay Meadow.

STAND-IN skipper Andy Gurney has told Swansea fans not to panic after seeing their side lose two consecutive games for the first time this season.

Gurney took over the skipper's armband with captain Roberto Martinez and his deputy Garry Monk two of the five Swansea players suspended, but Bury spoiled his day with a 3-1 Vetch victory.

"The fans shouldn't panic as you're going to get suspensions during the course of a season," said Gurney, who had been forced to move into midfield because of Swansea's depleted numbers.

"You've got to cope with that and deal with it. We had enough good players out there to win the game, but we just didn't play very well."

Reflecting on a troubled week that also brought a 2-0 defeat at Shrewsbury, Gurney reflected, "It's disappointing to lose two games that we thought we could win to stay top of the table.

"But we can't dwell on it and we've got to come back to training and look to Saturday's FA Cup game at Stockport.

"Having had to make so many changes doesn't really help, but you can't use that as an excuse really.

"We just paid the price for giving away two sloppy goals in the first half.

"Taking the lead so early we were buzzing, but then we lost our concentration.

"When you get an early goal you've got to try and give nothing away for five or 10 minutes, but we didn't do that and they came up with two great strikes.

"After that we still had a lot of that game and we couldn't get the goal that we needed. But at times we probably didn't do enough."

On the input of new signings Ijah Anderson and Marc Goodfellow, Gurney said, "I thought the lads gave us a bit more balance down the left.

"When we get our players back from suspension we'll have good competition for places, and that's what's what you need if you're going to stay around the top."

BOSS Kenny Jackett fears that his vice-captain Garry Monk could be hit by another suspension for his part in Swansea's Shrewsbury storm.

Monk started a two-game ban against Bury after being sent off in the 2-0 defeat at Gay Meadow nine days ago following an incident that ended up with Manchester referee Eddie Evans on the floor near the touchline.

And now Jackett fears Monk might be sidelined further after the Football Association of Wales charged the defender with assault.

Monk's crime might fall into the category described as "technical assault" but Jackett - who will also respond to an FAW charge against the club - accepts a further ban is possible.

"The sanctions against Garry are wide-ranging - from a rap across the knuckles, to a £50 fine or right up to a suspension," said Jackett

"It depends on the circumstances, the video evidence and the referee's report. All of those things, really.

"We're not necessarily going to appeal, but I'm going to appear with Garry at the hearing and I look forward to putting our side of the story."

Jackett expressed surprise that both Swansea and Shrewsbury had been charged, for what in layman's terms can be described as failing to control its players.

"There's been a melee, a crowding of players that you get in one of every two or three games played at this level," he said.

"I'm not aware of punches being thrown or any real threatening behaviour, but we'll go in front of the FAW and talk about the situation.

"From my own point of view, I'll take responsibility for my team and put our case forward.

"I've got to say that I was surprised to see the charges and, to some degree, Gary takes some responsibility for what happened.

"But the second booking was harsh and the sending off has sparked the whole incident.

"To some degree, Garry has been harshly treated, but he also knows that he has to improve and control himself.

"It's all right showing passion and determination, but it's a thin dividing line between that and getting booked and sent off by some referees."

Swansea are currently bottom of the League Two fair play table, but Jackett insists that his team are not a dirty side.

A Permanent monument to almost a century of sporting memories at the Vetch should be built, fans said today. The countdown to the last game at the ground is underway and now Swansea City fans are calling on the council to have a lasting tribute to the highs and lows experienced at the ground over the years.

The team are due to move to their new £27 million stadium in Landore next season, ending a 92-year love affair between the Vetch and fans.

No plans have been revealed for the ground which will have its swansong when Shrewsbury visit for the last home game of the season in May.

But fans are keen to see something marking the Vetch's remarkable history in whatever development replaces it.

Marilyn Croft, of the Swans Supporters Trust, said: "I think it would be really nice - it's an historical place. It was there for all those years.

"I think it should be done, it would be very appropriate.

"There are so many memories for the fans and those that live around there."

As the end of the ground draws closer Swansea Council has come under growing pressure to push forward plans for developing the site but have refused to reveal any details so far.

Mrs Croft said: "I understand that it was to be used for leisure. I think that still stood when the ground went back to the council. I think that is what it should be used for but it will depend on what the council wants to do with it."

Work on the new 20,000-seater stadium is progressing well with specialists being brought in next month to begin preparations for laying the pitch.

The search is still on for a sponsor to name the stadium.

But whatever it's called fans are looking forward to the move.

Mrs Croft said: "I think everyone is very excited. We had a look at it and it is very impressive but saying that I think there will be a lot of tears from fans at the last game. So many people have been going there for so many years.

"I think we have to move on but it will be tinged with sadness."

A spokeswoman for Swansea Council would not reveal any plans for the Vetch or whether the authority was thinking of incorporating a memorial.

She said: "No decision is being made on the future of the Vetch at this stage so it would be inappropriate to comment."

Andy Robinson has guaranteed that his first challenge when he returns from suspension will be a ''monster one'', but says he has learnt his lesson after last week's sending off at Shrewsbury. Robinson saw red after reacting to a challenge from former Welsh Under-21 full-back Darren Moss in the 2-0 defeat at Gay Meadow, a game which also saw defender Garry Monk get sent off.

Robinson put his head into the full-back's face and was given his marching orders by referee Eddie Evans. But while he has been full of remorse over his dismissal, he reckons that it will be the same old Andy Robinson the fans will see on his return to action.

''We were beaten 2-0 and had two men sent off, me being one of them,'' said the 25-year-old.

''I was bitterly disappointed we lost the game, but more importantly I was disappointed with myself.

''I have apologised to the lads this week and I also want to apologise to the fans.

''The ones that travelled up deserved a lot better than that and I can say I am determined it won't happen again.

''It was a rush of blood. I want to win that much, but I jumped up and retaliated in the wrong way.''

Robinson has had plenty of time to think about his actions this week.

And he has also taken some sound advice from manager Kenny Jackett.

''He spoke to me and said: 'your will to win is a great thing but you have to learn to challenge that aggression in the right way'.

''I have to say I agree with him fully on that.

''If I can do that then Swansea will get the best out of me.

''But it is guaranteed that my first tackle when I get back on the pitch will be a monster one - within the laws, of course.

''I am not going to lose that. I like to get on the ball and show my ability. To do that you have to make tackles and win the ball.

''It's only my will to win that got me in that kind of situation - I won't change that - but I will change what happened after the challenge.''

While today's squad to face Bury were fine-tuning their shooting skills at training on Friday, Robinson and the four other suspended players were given extra fitness work by Jackett.

And it is not only in training where Robinson has felt the pinch as he was disciplined by the club internally.

He took that on the chin, but says that what hurts him more is that his rash reaction has cost him his place in the side for three games.

''The manager's been fair with me, but I have been punished and that's right because I know I was in the wrong,'' added Robinson.

''Most importantly, though, we have lost and I have contributed to that defeat because of my actions.

''Nobody likes missing any game, but the ban means I am missing the FA Cup match at Stockport.

''The cup was a good competition for me last season and I have to say that since the draw was made I was looking forward to the tie.

''It was like going home and a lot of friends and family would have been there.

''But now I can't play through my own fault and that's not good.''

Robinson will not make excuses for his reaction to Moss's tackle last week.

But he reckons that the circumstances surrounding Garry Monk's dismissal may have contributed to his own red card.

''To be fair - and I am not trying to defend what I did - things like that have happened over the past couple of weeks and nothing has happened to me - not even a booking,'' said Robinson.

''I think the incident that happened before has made the referee make the decision against me.

''But I have retaliated and that was the wrong thing to do and this time I was punished for it.

''It hurts now that I am not in the side.''

Before today's game against Bury, Swansea were lying bottom of the Fair Play League.

Four sendings off and 47 bookings have seen Jackett's side rack up the discipline points and Robinson reckons if the team gets the balance right, it can work out to their advantage.

''The players want to do well this year,'' he said.

''You can see it in training. There is a lot of aggression there which is a good thing and we're taking that on to the pitch.

''So far this season it has been working to our advantage because we're near the top of the league.

''But we have got to learn not to let it get out of control otherwise it could cost us a few more suspensions before the season ends.''

LITTLE Ben, the six-year-old half-time penalty taker from Dunvant, had the right idea.

Given the biggest run-up in spot-kick history, young Ben - his tiny legs whirring like a hamster's on a wheel - sprinted 60 yards before beating Cyril the Swan and provoking the biggest Vetch cheer of the day by celebrating Ravanelli-style and lifting his shirt above his head.

How the Swansea faithful must have been tempted to follow suit and cover their eyes during this League Two clash that condemned them to successive defeats for the first time this season.

Deprived of five regulars through suspension, The Swans were a pale imitation of the nut that has proved so tough to crack this term.

Newcomers Ijah Anderson and Marc Goodfellow - signed on month-long deals during the week - both suffered uncomfortable baptisms. Swans boss Kenny Jackett might have found the left-sided balance that he has long craved for, but there is no point to equilibrium if you can't keep possession.

"We did look disjointed at times and lacked a bit of cohesion," said Jackett after Swansea's record run of home wins had ended on eight.

"We possibly paid the price from last week (Swansea's stormy visit to Shrewsbury).

"To have five players suspended in one game is unusual - I haven't heard it before in my time in football - and you could see our understanding, both attacking and defending, wasn't quite there.

"Going forward in the second half we went from back to front too quickly and failed to retain possession.

"We didn't get too much momentum going but I didn't think Bury were a class apart.

"We had spells where we were in control of the game without looking as if we were going to score."

Everything had looked so rosy inside 95 seconds when Kevin Nugent marked his first start for two months by sweeping home Lee Trundle's deflected cross.

But home delirium lasted only seconds as Nugent's namesake David raced towards Swansea's penalty box unchallenged - highlighting the absent screening work of Kris O'Leary and Roberto Martinez - and fired home inside Willy Gueret's near post.

Then incredibly, in an opening spell that made Wales' try frenzy against Japan appear modest, Dwayne Mattis produced a splendid seventh-minute volley as the Swans defence stood still.

"It was very disappointing to lose two goals like that after such a great start," said Jackett.

"We haven't given away soft goals for the majority of the season. We've been tighter than that."

There was no shortage of hwyl despite, apparently, the absence of a Welsh player in Swansea ranks for the first time since 1921. But how the Swans missed the presence of Garry Monk at the back following his red-card mist at Shrewsbury.

Alan Tate and Kevin Austin did not appear comfortable together at the heart of the defence until Bury had done their early damage.

And Anderson did not convince, either at left-back or in central midfield after the break when Jackett decided to string only three at the back.

It might be a touch unkind to say so, but on the evidence of this 90 minutes, Anderson's association with the Swans might be a short one.

There was little comfort, too, for Gary Fisken who, having had to wait until now for his first start since his summer switch from Watford, was withdrawn at half-time after spilling blood for the cause.

Fisken took a nasty whack on the nose but Jackett hinted that he might have changed it anyway such was the pedestrian nature of Swansea's first-half attacks and the failure to spring Goodfellow down their left flank.

So you can imagine Leon Britton's frustration when Jackett chose to change tack, and tactics, and throw young Stuart Jones into a three-man backline and push the ungainly Anderson into midfield.

With the performances that earned Swansea's 2002-03 player of the year award fading fast from the memory, Britton has made only three league starts in as many months.

And, on Saturday, he reached a new nadir, unable to find his way into a midfield without Martinez, O'Leary and Andy Robinson and two full-backs preferred to him in that area as Swansea sought parity.

Despite Jackett's praise for his "considerable talent", Britton - who operated behind the front two for the last half-hour following terrace calls for his introduction - has clearly lost his way.

"Leon was very disappointed not to make the starting lineup but I see him as a right-sided player in a 4-4-2 formation," explained Jackett.

"I've played him once or twice on the left but I don't think that's doing him justice or giving him the best opportunity to show his considerable talent.

"If he plays as a central midfielder as one of three - which I have done - he is strong in that area.

"But I started with (Adrian) Forbes and Goodfellow out wide and what you need then is some physical strength in midfield.

"I've got a lot of time for Leon and he's got a future here, but my first-choice wide-right player (Forbes) wasn't injured or suspended."

Despite Britton's arrival, Swansea - apart from a self-created Trundle volley that went close at the start of the second half - were restricted to dead-ball situations where former Wales goalkeeper Andy Marriott stood firm.

Bury secured the win that pushed them into the play-off positions when Brian Barry-Murphy bent a free-kick seven minutes from time.

"It's a big test now for myself and the players," added Jackett, referring to consecutive away examinations at Stockport, Oxford and Scunthorpe.

"But they're good games and good opposition for us to bounce back against."

Little Ben will hope, though, that he doesn't have to look away again.