Swansea City's home clash with Chester one week today is heading for a sell-out. Almost 8,000 of the 10,897 tickets available to home fans have gone already and the club are urging supporters to buy their tickets as soon as possible.

The bumper crowd is thanks in part to the link tickets - some of which are still available for the West Terrace - which also cover the last Vetch Field game against Shrewsbury in April.

Swansea have put back sales of season tickets for their new home at Morfa until March, when they say fans will be able to visit the stadium and pick their seats. Existing season-ticket holders will have priority.

The club are also stressing that 'bring a friend' vouchers cannot be used at the Chester game or at any of the last three home fixtures of this season.

The trip to Leyton Orient on February 12, meanwhile, has been made all-ticket for Swansea fans - with just 500 spaces available because of redevelopment at the Matchroom Stadium.

KENNY JACKETT has declared the promotion run-in starts at Boston today as Swansea City seek to end the last unbeaten home record in League Two, writes Phil Blanche.

Monday's 1-0 third-round defeat to Reading put the FA Cup to bed - forever, in the case of the Vetch - at Swansea, and now Jackett's thoughts are solely on achieving promotion come May.

"It's quite clear to me what we've got to do in the second half of the season and for me the run-in starts now," said Jackett, whose Swans currently fill the third and last promotion spot on 49 points - three points behind top two Yeovil and Scunthorpe, but four ahead of fourth-placed Southend.

"We're in a good position and we've got to capitalise on that in the second half of the season.

"I've looked at the league and I think 85 points will do it. That would be a terrific total and enough for promotion I think.

"Twelve more wins (from 19 games) is a tough task, but I think that's a very good aim. You can't be mediocre in your aims."

Jackett is forced to reshuffle his impressive rearguard today with goalkeeper Willy Gueret serving a one-game ban for collecting five cautions.

But he is backing Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Brian Murphy to shine on his first senior start since a 2-1 win at Darlington last May.

"It's a big day for Brian," admitted Jackett. "He hasn't played all season, but he's trained terrifically well and shown a good standard.

"I believe he's improved during the course of the season, and I'm looking forward to seeing him play.

"He's worked very hard and deserves his opportunity. Willy has done very well this season, but I've got every confidence in Brian coming into the side.

"All young keepers make mistakes and, although I wasn't here for most of last season, maybe that was the case with Brian.

"But he's a very talented keeper and now he's got the chance to impress. I haven't got a problem with his ability or his character."

HE'S scored 16 goals this season, played international football and is probably the hottest property in League Two right now.

While Yeovil marksman Phil Jevons and Swansea City's own Lee Trundle will no doubt disagree with that last statement, there is no denying Andy Kirk is the reason why the scouts are suddenly flocking to Boston's humble York Street home.

Belfast-born Kirk - holder of four full Northern Ireland caps - has put bigger and richer clubs on red alert since moving south from Hearts in the summer.

Kirk's strike ratio was far from shoddy in Scotland - 30 from 64 league starts - but it is his goal return of 16 in 22 Boston appearances that has made him the target of several Coca-Cola Championship clubs.

Swans kept Kirk off the scoresheet in last month's 3-1 Vetch victory, but Garry Monk knows the visitors' defence is in for a tough time now.

"I didn't play against Boston in the home game, but I watched that game from the stand," said Monk, who was a spectator in late December because of the lengthy ban following his red card at Shrewsbury.

"I've also seen Kirk on Sky a couple of times and, though I don't think he's exceptionally quick, he's obviously a good goalscorer.

"He's quite strong too, but his real strength is being around the box and getting on the end of things. We've got to be careful because he's a big player for them and if we don't give him time on the ball it's going to help our cause.

"He's been on the scoresheet regularly - which is what you want from your forwards - and I'm sure he'll go into the game with confidence.

"If we can stop him scoring that will be a big factor for us, and it's up to us a defence, and as a team, to stop players like him from getting on the scoresheet."

Suspension apart, Monk has been a linchpin of an extremely mean Swansea defence - only 24 goals conceded in 27 league outings - where boss Kenny Jackett has plenty of options.

When all his players are fit, Jackett will have an immensely difficult task perming his back four from Monk, Izzy Iriekpen, Kevin Austin, Sam Ricketts and Andy Gurney.

But, with key midfielders missing for now, Jackett has been spared that choice with Gurney slotting into a holding role in the engine room.

"I'm glad that's the manager's call," said Monk, sensibly sidestepping the topic.

"We've been working on our defence all season and I don't think we should change anything.

"As a team we've defended really well. The front players have worked their socks off and the midfield close down, so that makes our jobs as defenders a lot easier.

"Once you get to the 18-yard box you tend to stay with your man and that's it.

"When you're further up the pitch you try not to cross over as defenders because that creates holes.

"But once you get in the box you have to get really tight to players like Kirk.

"We've just worked on that basis all season and we've coped even when we've had players missing through injury or suspension."

Jackett, though, is forced to change his defence today with French goalkeeper Willy Gueret serving a one-match ban for five bookings.

Young Irishman Brian Murphy comes in for his first league appearance of the season - and only the 12th of his Swans career - but Jackett's only dilemma is whether to recall Andy Robinson down the left side of midfield at the expense of Ijah Anderson, who started the 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Reading.

But Jackett is short of striking options on the bench with assistant player-manager Kevin Nugent needing a minor operation on Monday in a bid to cure cartilage trouble and Brad Maylett sustaining knee and ankle problems against Reading.

Mark Pritchard and Antonio Corbisiero should be among the substitutes as could second-year scholar Chad Bond, 18.

"We're taking a few along as we're short on the bench," said Jackett, mindful of Boston's impressive home form where they have won eight and drawn five of their 13 league games.

"Boston have got an excellent home record but I'd like to think we can go there and win.

"Even when we were up early against them in Swansea they never gave up. ut I feel we're a better side now than we were at the start of the season."

Kenny Jackett has demanded 12 more wins from his Swansea City side to clinch promotion to League One. Jackett believes the end-of-season run-in kicks off with this weekend's trip to Boston United.

And the Swansea boss believes that with 49 points banked from their 27 League Two games so far, his side need another 12 maximums from 19 remaining games to guarantee a place in the top three.

''I realise it's going to be a tough task, but there's no point having mediocre aims,'' Jackett said.

''You've got to aim high and I think 12 wins would get us to where we want to be. We would have 85 points and that should mean automatic promotion.''

Jackett's focus is firmly on going up in time for the move to a new stadium at Morfa after Monday's FA Cup defeat by Reading.

He added: ''It was a good run in the cup and there was some excitement with the TV game and the attention, but that's all gone now.

''As far as I was concerned, when I woke up on Tuesday morning, the promotion run-in had started.

''Our aim is to get into League One and the nearer it gets, the clearer it's going to be what we need.''

Recording the first of the dozen successes Jackett craves this weekend would provide a major fillip - although beaten in the cup by Hartlepool on Wednesday, Boston have not lost a league game on their own patch all season.

Steve Evans's play-off hopefuls lost 3-1 at Vetch Field less than a month ago thanks to a flurry of early goals.

But the Pilgrims have been unbeatable at York Street, seeing off the likes of Scunthorpe and Southend to maintain the division's only unblemished home record.

''I've got a lot of respect for Boston and this is a very difficult fixture,'' Jackett went on.

''But we have to try to take their record away and the good news is that we're a better side now than we were at the start of the season.

''We certainly showed what we're capable of against Reading, although this will be a vastly different game.

''We'll only know for certain at about 3.20pm tomorrow, but I'm confident there'll be no hangover from the cup.''

With Brian Murphy in for the suspended Willy Gueret, Jackett's one selection poser on the long trip east today was whether to recall Andy Robinson for Ijah Anderson - who is close to signing a contract until the end of the season - on the left of midfield.

Swansea's hopes of bolstering their squad remain on hold amid suggestions that an offer of £100,000 would secure the services of Andy Burgess after it emerged his club, Rushden & Diamonds, are heading for an annual loss in excess of £1million.

Wrexham have denied suggestions that Swansea target Chris Llewellyn has handed in a transfer request, while the third man on Jackett's wanted list, Marc Goodfellow, seems unlikely to leave Bristol City at present.

''We can't afford to let anyone else go," said the Robins player-manager Brian Tinnion.

Brian Murphy plays for Swansea City for the first time in nine months tomorrow accepting that it could be his sole appearance this season. But Willy Gueret's understudy is in fairly upbeat mood ahead of the testing trip to Boston United, believing he has a part to play in Kenny Jackett's future plans.

What the 21-year-old from Waterford needs most, it might be argued, is a slice of Irish luck.

For life as a Swan has rarely been easy for Murphy since he swapped the bright lights of the Premiership and Manchester City for the Football League basement a couple of summers ago.

Early signs were encouraging enough, as he began last season as No. 1 at Vetch Field ahead of Roger Freestone.

He held that status for only five games, however, thanks to a couple of cock-ups at Oxford which saw Swansea throw away what would have been a creditable point.

Murphy's next Division Three appearance did not arrive until March, and another brief stint in the side came to an end following an unfortunate sending-off at Southend.

There was one more recall last term, this time from Jackett, rather than Brian Flynn, but again Murphy did not hang around in the first team for long.

After returning against Northampton in the final fortnight of the campaign, he lasted only eight minutes of the next game, at Darlington, as a result of a hip injury.

Roger Freestone's release the following week should have provided some encouragement, but by the time Swansea returned to competitive action, Frenchman Gueret had arrived on the scene.

''I don't think I've had a great deal of luck,'' Murphy says, ruefully.

''But then you make your own luck in this game.

''I was raw when I came to Swansea. I had never really played any league football before and coming from Manchester City's reserves, where most of the players aren't really bothered and there's not a lot of aggression or competitiveness, to what was Division Three was a bit of a culture shock.

"It was a bit of a surprise to me to see how tough things are at this level, with balls constantly getting lumped into the box and big strikers whacking into you."

Even a man-of-the-match display this weekend would probably not be enough to earn Murphy another start when Chester visit in eight days' time thanks to the form of Gueret, who will be available again then after suspension.

But talking to the Republic of International, you cannot help but hope he emerges from York Street with his reputation enhanced.

"Maybe if I'd been given the vote at the start of the season things could have worked out differently, but I have to accept that Willy has done well.

"He has the experience and has brought that bit of calmness to the team, so I know that this might be my only game of the season."

There are chances to don the gloves for Swansea's second-string - but not many.

"I've only played three or four club games all season plus a couple for the Irish Under-21s," he adds.

"That's not a lot in six months, and it can be difficult to stop yourself going a bit cold in between.

"I'm a bit older and a bit wiser than I was when I first came to the club, but the only way you really improve is by having a long run of games.

"In a situation like this it might be a bit difficult for the first 15 minutes tomorrow, but hopefully I won't let the team down and we'll come away with a positive result."

Fingers are crossed, too, that the 6ft goalkeeper will soon agree a new Swansea contract.

"My agent has done a lot of talking with the club lately and I'm hopeful something will be done in the next few weeks.

"I believe Swansea could become really big in the next three or four years and of course I'd like to be part of it."

A clean sheet tomorrow, against the only side yet to be beaten on home soil in League Two, would not harm his cause.

"The moment Willy got booked last Saturday, Kevin Nugent turned round and gave me a little smile," Murphy adds.

"It's felt like the longest week ever since then and I've had more and more good luck messages as the game's got closer. I can't wait to get out there now and hopefully it will go well."

Kenny Jackett believes Brian Murphy will not let Swansea City down when he steps in from the cold at Boston tomorrow. The Irish Under-21 stopper finally gets his chance at York Street as Willy Gueret serves a one-match ban.

Former Millwall man Gueret has been one of the stars of the season since arriving at Vetch Field last summer, while Murphy remains wet behind the ears in goalkeeping terms.

Still only 21, he has only 12 Football League appearances to his name and endured a difficult first Swansea season after joining from Manchester City in the summer of 2003.

But Jackett insists he has no qualms about pitching his regular bench-warmer into action against a Boston side who are yet to lose a League Two game on home soil this season.

"It's a big day for Brian given that he hasn't played this year," Jackett conceded.

"But having worked with him this season, I've got every confidence in him in terms of his ability and his character.

"I've heard he had one or two problems before I came to the club, but 21 is very, very young for someone in his position and young goalkeepers will always make mistakes.

"What I know about Brian is that he has trained terrifically well all season and I also think he's improved."

Asked if a top-drawer showing this weekend could earn Murphy a run in Jackett's side, the Swansea boss admitted: "That will be difficult because Willy has done so well this season.

"But this is an opportunity for Brian to show what he can do and I'm looking forward to seeing him play.

"It's worth remembering that at his age, he still has 15 years ahead of him in the professional game."

Swansea have received another injury blow with the news that Stuart Jones strained a stomach muscle in training this week and did not travel to Boston today.

Boston United boss Steve Evans has told his team to keep up their FA Cup form into the league - even though they suffered a rare home defeat on Wednesday. Just as Swansea had done earlier in the week, the Lincolnshire side ran a team from a higher division close in a third-round replay.

For Reading on Monday read Hartlepool United on Wednesday, with the League One outfit eventually scraping through 1-0 at York Street.

The defeat was Boston's first of 2005.

The Pilgrims, however, have the only unbeaten home record in League Two, with eight wins and five draws.

And Evans reckons that if his team performs as they did on Wednesday, they should have a realistic chance of a place in the top seven.

''The players showed tremendous character and produced a brilliant performance against a very good League One side,'' he said.

''We have got the play-offs to aim for now and if Hartlepool are sixth in their league it gives us real hope of making them.

''But we need to apply the same determination and belief we had on Wednesday if we are to achieve our target.

''Swansea is a big game and we have to be ready for them because they too are flying high at the moment.''

Top scorer Andy Kirk was the main threat for Boston against Hartlepool and he will be the one to watch for Kenny Jackett's men.

The ex-Hearts striker has hit 14 goals in 17 league games and hit the net 16 times in all.

Leicester are believed to have shown an interest in the Northern Ireland international, while the local media in Lincolnshire have reported a possible move by David Penney's Doncaster Rovers.

The Yorkshire outfit have reportedly tabled an offer of around £100,000.

But Evans has been quick to dispel those rumours as he looks to keep hold of his prize asset.

''Andy has a phenomenal goalscoring record and is bound to attract interest,'' said Evans of the Belfast-born 25-year-old.

''But as far as I am concerned he is not going anywhere and I am not aware of any bid for him.''

FOR a proud Irishman, Brian Murphy has been short of the luck associated with his native land.
To say Waterford-born Murphy's Swansea career has been stop-start would be a huge understatement.

Given his chance by Brian Flynn after being plucked from Manchester City's reserves in the summer of 2003, his early Vetch career was blighted by errors and he eventually paid the price with his first-team place.

Murphy had to wait five months for his next senior chance but an unlucky red card at Southend (when he was adjudged to have handled outside the box) and a hip injury which forced him off after only eight minutes of Kenny Jackett's first win at Darlington added to his woes.

Since then Murphy's career has definitely been stop rather than start, the summer arrival and fine form of Frenchman Willy Gueret casting his role as back-up goalkeeper in stone.

But Murphy isn't bitter and he gets the opportunity to stake his claim again at Boston tomorrow with Gueret suspended after totting up five yellow cards.

"It is a rare chance and it might be my only game of the season, so hopefully I will enjoy it and we get the right result," said the Republic of Ireland U21 international who made 11 league appearances last term. "It's been the longest week ever. I've been dying for it to come along since the second Willy got his yellow card against Wycombe.

"I'm only 21 - which in goalkeeping terms is very young - and sometimes you've got to expect to sit on the bench. This season I've learned a lot. I've had to be patient and it's difficult because Willy's done well when he's been in.

"He's been around a bit and brought some calmness to the team, though we've got a stronger defence this season and we haven't conceded too many goals. Last year we had a very young back four, but we've got a mix of youth and old heads in there now. We've been very solid at the back and that's why we're up there in the league."

While Gueret has become a firm Vetch favourite, Murphy has had to stay sharp with the minimum of match practice.

Apart from a couple of early-season appearances for the Republic U21 side, he has played only four reserve-team games with his main task keeping the senior bench warm in case of emergency.

But he says the addition of Tony Pennock to the coaching staff last summer has helped him enormously and he is ready to be thrown in at the deep end at York Street.

"I've had to get used to my situation," he said. "I come in every morning and try to enjoy training. "Sometimes it's been difficult, especially when there's not many reserve games. But Tony has been great for me."

On his lack of good fortune, Murphy remains philosophical and believes his time will come. So much so that talks are planned in the next few weeks about extending his stay with his contract about to expire this summer.

"It's true that I haven't had much luck since I've been here," he said. "But they say you make your own luck and I was very raw when I came here. I hadn't played in the league before and it was a big step to go from reserve-team football at a Premiership club - where there was no competitiveness in those matches - to a league where players are always pumping balls at you.

"That's the way it's played in this division and I was surprised how tough it was. But I've seen 60 or 70 games in this league now and I've learned a lot. I think I've grown up a little more and I'm a bit wiser, but the only way you're going to improve is to play regularly and get 10 or 11 games in a row."

Goalkeeper Brian Murphy will make his first appearance this season for Swansea's first team in Saturday's League Two match at Boston. The 21-year-old Irishman will replace Willy Gueret, who is suspended after his fifth booking of the season.

Murphy has not featured in the Swansea senior side since last season's penultimate game at Darlington.

Swansea have offered Ijah Anderson, who is currently on a month-to-month deal, a contract until the end of the season.

Anderson can play on the left side of defence or midfield and has impressed manager Kenny Jackett with his performances.

The Swans will still be without captain Roberto Martinez, who has a hamstring injury and fellow midfielder Kristian O'Leary, who has a knee injury.

Right winger Brad Maylett is also out of the Boston trip with an ankle injury sustained during Monday's FA Cup defeat by Reading.

Assistant manager Kevin Nugent won't be available for selection either as he will have a cartilage operation on Monday.

Swansea City boss Kenny Jackett is confident that Ijah Anderson will say yes to a new deal after offering him a contract until the end of the season. Jackett has had talks with the former Bristol Rovers defender-cum-midfielder and is hoping he will put pen to paper before Saturday's trip to Boston.

Anderson has been on month-to-month terms at Vetch Field.

His current contract runs out this weekend and with the former Tottenham trainee featuring prominently in Swansea's last two games against Wycombe and Reading, Jackett is keen to keep him at the Vetch.

''Ijah is a good player,'' he said. ''The offer of a contract until the end of the season is on the table and at this stage we are hoping he will agree to it.

''I have had a chat with him and it is looking good. He is a good competitor and gives us that competitive edge on the left at the moment.

''With Ijah in the holding role on that side, Leon Britton has a freer role in the middle.

''It just allows him to go forward more and join in with the front two.''

Anderson's imminent signing will be good news for Jackett after the confirmation that assistant player-manager Kevin Nugent is to have a minor operation on Monday in a bid to cure a cartilage injury in his left knee.

Brad Maylett will also miss the York Street trip on Saturday with knee and ankle problems picked up in the FA Cup replay with Reading.

But despite having a depleted squad for the weekend, Jackett has denied he has made a

move for Cheltenham Town midfielder Martin Devaney.

A newspaper report said Swansea were leading the chase for the 24-year-old, but Jackett said: ''I speak to John Ward (Cheltenham boss) every week because he's a good friend of mine and we have not mentioned the player at all.

''There's no truth in the story. He's a right-sided player anyway, and we have got enough of those already.''

Jackett did say that following the injuries to Nugent and Maylett he would keep his options open with regards to signing a striker.

''I will be keeping an eye on things,'' he said.

''Kevin has to have the surgery and he will be out for two to three weeks.

''With Brad on the right we have the option of pushing Adrian Forbes forward.

''We will have to see how long Brad is out for, but we also have Andy Robinson who is a goalscorer and can play up front or just off a striker, while Mark Pritchard can come in too.

''We will just have to wait and see how things develop.''

PAUL ABBANDONATO reports on how the Swans, Ospreys and Wales soccer officials are lining up a mouthwatering Morfa summer sporting feast

AMBITIOUS plans are being drawn up to bring some of the biggest names in the world of football and rugby to Swansea's new Morfa stadium this summer.

John Toshack's Wales team are lining up a glamour game at the 20,000-seater stadium on August 17... the first senior international to be played in Swansea for 17 years.

Crack European outfits Spain and Portugal, as well as Romania, Croatia and little Iceland, are among the countries Wales have asked as possible Morfa opponents.

Swansea City are trying to lure Italian giants Juventus, who boast the likes of Alessandro del Piero, Gianluigi Buffon and David Trezeguet, to the stadium for the first soccer match at the ground on July 30.

And the Ospreys, not to be outdone, are in talks regarding a mouth-watering clash with a star-studded Barbarians XV as the stadium's first rugby clash towards the end of August.

If any of the ambitious proposals come off, they would guarantee sell-out crowds and give the much-vaunted new stadium the perfect launch.

The moves will also give the area of Swansea a huge sporting lift.

Wales' second city has been totally in the shadow of Cardiff since the Millennium Stadium was built back in 1999.

But attempting to bring such high-profile matches to the Morfa puts down a bold statement of intent for the future.

The mouth-watering Morfa plans are the subject of behind-the-scenes talks between representatives of the Swans, the Ospreys, the local council , plus football and rugby governing bodies.

The chances of the Swans landing a plum pre-season friendly with Juventus would appear to be slim.

But Kenny Jackett's men have written to the Italian aristocrats, pointing out that the John Charles link between Swansea and Juventus would make it a fitting match for the two clubs.

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins confirmed that Juventus had replied to the request, saying, "They've been a bit non-committal, neither saying 'yes' or 'no'. But we remain hopeful."

The FA of Wales have discussed bringing their August 17 start-of-season friendly to the Morfa as a special occasion.

The match, which will be a warm-up for Toshack's men before their big World Cup Millennium Stadium showdown with England, would end a gap spanning almost two decades for a Wales game in Swansea.

Not since Wales drew 2-2 with Finland in a World Cup qualifier at The Vetch in October 1988 has a main international been played in the city.

The FAW say approaches have been made to Spain and Portugal, who would be a dream draw, with the likes of Raul and Luis Figo in their respective line-ups.

If that pair say no, then Wales have offers out to other lesser nations, including Romania, Croatia and Iceland.

FAW secretary David Collins was shown around the Morfa on Tuesday and beamed, "I have to say, I was bowled over by the place.

"It is absolutely magnificent, a smaller version, in a way, of Sunderland's ground.

"The Millennium Stadium is very much our No1 home, but suddenly the Morfa offers opportunities for a certain type of match, too.

"Since I joined the FAW in 1995, plans to build Morfa have been mooted.

"Suddenly, to see it virtually completed, is tremendous news for Welsh sport."

The Ospreys, keen to play their part in a high-profile Morfa launch, have discussed the Baa-Baas as a potential fixture.

A host of the world's top players could be approached to play for the Baa-Baas, including a fit-again Jonah Lomu, Andrew Mehrtens, George Gregan, Percy Montgomery and Jonny Wilkinson.

That one is a matter for the rugby powers-that-be.

But Swans chief Jenkins, talking in more general terms, purred, "It would be a terrific coup to bring any of these games to the Morfa.

"To get the three of them in such a space of time would be absolutely wonderful.

"People have got to recognise that Swansea itself and the West Wales area are dedicated to sport. Always have been, always will be.

"We appreciate the Millennium Stadium is a wonderful facility in Cardiff, but the Morfa offers great back up for Wales soccer games.

"Of course you will take the really big games to Cardiff.

"But if the Welsh FA only anticipate a crowd of around 20,000 to 30,000 for certain matches, then why not play before a packed stadium at the Morfa instead?

"We have a first class sporting stadium here and we want to launch it in soccer terms on the weekend of July 29-31 with a showpiece game.

"Yes, we have written to Juventus and we haven't given up on that.

"There is the John Charles factor and the link between the cities of Swansea and Turin.

"The problem we have got is that these big clubs are so driven by sponsorship and other issues these days, that different factors determine where they play pre-season games.

"But we remain hopeful, And if we don't get Juventus, we're speaking to other clubs and hope one of them comes off.

"Whatever we do, though, we will make sure that our regular loyal fans get tickets for the game."

He concluded, "St Helen's has put on some fantastic rugby matches down the years. The Vetch has staged some wonderful soccer matches.

"Hopefully the Morfa will take things to another level again ... starting with July and August."

Toshack's Wales team next meet Hungary in a friendly, before two World Cup clashes with Austria.

The Welsh boss then plans a May get-together with his squad, followed by the August game and then England.

Swansea City may be forced to splash out on a new striker after suffering a double injury blow. Kevin Nugent is bracing himself for a six-week lay-off thanks to a knee problem which is expected to require surgery, while long-term casualty James Thomas has been told he faces at least two more months on the sidelines.

With only youth-teamer Mark Pritchard as back-up to first-choice front-two Lee Trundle and Paul Connor, boss Kenny Jackett may be tempted to scour the transfer market for another attacking option as Swansea approach the business end of the season.

''Kevin Nugent missed the two games over the weekend because of a cartilage problem in his knee,'' explained Vetch Field physio Richie Evans, ''and all the signs are that he is going to need an operation which will mean he is out of action for around six weeks.

''It's an injury he's been feeling for a while, but it's gradually troubled him more and more and it's time to do something about it.

''James Thomas is in Lilleshall (at the National Sports Centre) this week and they have told him that he has got a really complex injury which is going to take long time to recover from.

''James is really working hard and we have done everything the experts have suggested.

''They have got magic devices and machines at Lilleshall which we could never afford, and I hope to send him back up there in a couple of weeks' time.

''But James has problems in his hip and his knee and they've told him he's looking at another two months out.''

Thomas, who has managed only two substitute appearances this season thanks to a string of fitness problems, sees his Swansea contract expire this summer.

There was more bad news from the treatment room in the wake of Monday's FA Cup defeat by Reading, with Brad Maylett almost certain to miss Saturday's League Two trip to Boston.

The former Burnley winger injured a knee and ankle in Glen Little's hefty challenge after arriving as an extra-time substitute.

Jackett will again be without his first-choice central midfield at York Street.

Club skipper Roberto Martinez (hamstring) is targeting a return to action when Chester visit the Vetch at the end of the month, while Kristian O'Leary (knee ligaments) will not play again until February.

''I don't think many people realise how serious Kris's injury is, but he is on schedule to come back in a couple of weeks,'' Evans added.

''Roberto is coming on as we hoped he would.''

Swansea City are waiting to see if the sacking of Rushden & Diamonds boss Ernie Tippett will boost their chances of signing Andy Burgess. Swansea had a £75,000 bid for Burgess rejected, but are prepared to hang on for the 23-year-old Diamonds midfielder.

They are staying patient, too, in the quest to recruit Wrexham's Chris Llewellyn and Marc Goodfellow of Bristol City.

''We're sitting tight,'' Vetch Field chairman Huw Jenkins declared. ''We're not going to increase our offers for Andy Burgess or Marc Goodfellow, or pay the six-figure fee Wrexham want for Chris Llewellyn.

''But we still feel we're in with a chance of signing all three of them, and it will be interesting to see whether the change of manager at Rushden will mean a change of heart on their part.

''It may be that they wait for their new manager to arrive before making any decisions, so we'll just wait and see. One thing's certain: it's up to them to ring us now.''

Swansea's gallant FA Cup replay defeat by Reading Monday saw them bank around £200,000, but Jenkins insists Kenny Jackett's trio of transfer targets remain out of reach.

Rushden have demanded a whopping £200,000 for Burgess, while City will not entertain offers below £65,000.

''Right now, we haven't given up on any of the three, but really the money these clubs are asking is ridiculous,'' he went on.

''Maybe if one player suddenly became available for free, we could have another look at the asking prices for the others.

''Nothing has developed so far, but we'll bide our time. We're not looking at any players anywhere else at the moment.''

That means no move for out-of-favour Queens Park Rangers' left-winger Kevin McLeod, despite reports in London that Jackett is planning a raid on his old club.

''Kenny speaks to (Rangers boss) Ian Holloway every day and I'm sure there are a number of players there who he thinks could do well for us,'' Jenkins said.

''Kevin McLeod is a talented player who was at Everton and has played a number of games for QPR, but I don't think he's available.''

After the cup exit, Swansea's focus switches back to the league on Saturday with a testing trip to Boston - the only side in the division with an unbeaten home record.

''It's a very tough one for us,'' Jenkins said, ''and it's Kenny's job to make sure we perform in the league with same tempo to our game we produced against Reading.''

Swansea City are now leading the chase to sign Cheltenham Town winger Martin Devaney. The Swans are searching for a wideman after failing with bids for Bristol City's Marc Goodfellow and Rushden's Andy Burgess.

And they have switched their attention to transferlisted Devaney, 24, after he turned down a new deal at Whaddon Road.

With the Cheltenham-born player entitled to a free transfer at the end of the season under the Bosman ruling, the Robins have made him available in a bid to recoup a fee.

Town manager John Ward has made it clear he does not want Devaney to leave, and the former Coventry trainee remains part of his first-team plans.

Ward is still hopeful of persuading Devaney to sign a new contract, but a bid of around £50,000 from the Swans is likely to prove too tempting for the Gloucestershire club.

Goodfellow recently spent a spell on loan at the Vetch Field but City turned down Swansea's £25,000 offer for the former Stoke winger.

His departure has seen Swans boss Kenny Jackett use non-contract player Ijah Anderson in a wide-midfield role. Andy Robinson has also been played out of position to fill the void.

SWANSEA CITY boss Kenny Jackett is confident there will be no repeat of last season's FA Cup hangover.

Swansea minds are now focused solely on promotion after the club's cup adventure ended with Monday night's heroic but unsuccessful battle against Reading at the Vetch.

After last season's fifth-round exit from the competition, Swansea's season fizzled out, promotion dreams floundering on the back of a run which saw them win just two of their final 18 matches.

But Jackett (pictured right) does not believe Swans fans need fear such a nightmare scenario being repeated this term.

"I'm aware that results fell away after last season's FA Cup run, but I'm confident we can capitalise on the fantastic opportunity in front of us," he said.

"You can get hangovers from cup runs and my players were down emotionally and physically after Monday's game.

"But I'd like to think going out of the cup will focus our minds on promotion.

"With 19 games to go, we're in a promotion position and I think we're in a pretty good shape to deliver what everyone really wants."

Swansea resume their quest for League One football with a trip to Boston on Saturday.

"It's easy for me to say it, but we must make sure there is no hangover from the Reading match," said Jackett.

"We can take heart from the way we competed over two games against a side trying to get into the Premiership.

"But we have to put it behind us now. After the glamour and the excitement of the cup we have to go to places like Boston and get a result."

The £200,000 cash boost Swansea received courtesy of TV and radio rights as well as gate receipts from the Reading match could now be used to help fund their promotion push.

And the departure from Rushden and Diamonds yesterday of boss Ernie Tippett could improve Swansea's chances of landing transfer target Andy Burgess from the Nene Park club.

Izzy Iriekpen has put the spotlight on promotion after the Sky cameras saw the curtain come down on Vetch Field's FA Cup history last night. Premiership hopefuls Reading ended Swansea City's cup hopes as Nicky Forster finally killed off Kenny Jackett's gallant side in extra-time.

But centre-back Iriekpen was in upbeat mood after the third-round replay defeat, insisting Swansea are primed for a return to national attention come May via success in League Two.

''We're determined not to let things slip as we did last season,'' said the 22-year-old, Swansea's star performer once again last night after shutting out Les Ferdinand at the Madejski Stadium nine days earlier.

''And I think we've shown what we can do by giving Reading one of their toughest games of the season.

''We've given them a real run for the money over the two legs, and the rest of the lads will tell you that's because we've got a team full of footballers who are allowed to play when they come up against teams from their level.

''What we all want to do now is to ensure we're playing against sides like Reading every week in the league, and that means getting out of League Two.

''Going out of the cup could be a blessing in disguise because we all know the league's the priority, and I'm sure there won't be any hangover from the cup.

''We've got a much stronger squad than we had last year and everyone is focused on getting up in time for the move to the new stadium next summer.''

After the disappointment of a scarcely-deserved defeat, Swansea must pick themselves up for Saturday's testing trip to Boston United, who are yet to lose a league game on home soil this season.

The extra 30 minutes last night has not helped their cause, but Jackett is convinced his team will not lose their way as Brian Flynn's men did in the latter stages of last season.

''If we can play with the same tempo as we did against Reading and create that many chances, then I'm sure we'll do okay,'' the Swansea boss declared.

''I'm disappointed to be out of the cup because I thought we played very well and had a great opportunity to go through, but my job now is to get the players to move on and my mind is on Boston.

''We have to put this defeat behind us and make sure there is no hangover on Saturday.

''It will not be easy - the players are down both emotionally and physically having lost in extra-time - and Boston have a very impressive home record.

''But we produced a terrific performance last night and we must now build on that in the 19 remaining league games.

''We have a lot of ability in our squad and we're starting to get the application to go with it. I want that week-in, week-out, and if I get it then I believe we will capitalise on the fantastic opportunity we have to achieve something this season.''

The pain of Swansea's cup exit was eased by an unexpected financial boost of around £200,000 courtesy of TV and radio rights as well as gate receipts.

And so Vetch Field has said farewell to the FA Cup, but Swansea City did not wave goodbye to their pride last night. One or two Swansea chins were brushing the turf at the end of this extra-time replay reverse, but once defeat is digested Kenny Jackett's men should get down to the real business of winning promotion with their heads held high.

They came within a couple of minutes of upsetting Reading at the Madejski Stadium 10 days ago, after all, and they gave the Premiership hopefuls an even bigger scare on their own patch.

''Over the two games, as well as the ones where we had them watched, Swansea have certainly impressed me,'' said the Royals manager Steve Coppell.

''In this game particularly it was difficult to tell which side was from the Championship and which was from League Two.''

High praise from Coppell, whose decision to hail his back five as the key to victory was a further compliment to Jackett's side.

For this contest was not like the clubs' first meeting, when Swansea were hanging on grimly to the lead they had snatched through Paul Connor.

That goal came from a rare opportunity on the road, but with home advantage, Connor and Co asked many more questions of Reading's rearguard.

''Their goalkeeper, Marcus Hahnemann, was the man of the match in my opinion,'' Jackett pointed out with no little justification.

The American international stopper watched Leon Britton's shot sail past his post, saw Connor fail to reach Adrian Forbes's teasing cross and needed Steve Sidwell to save him with a goal-line clearance from Connor's header inside the first 15 minutes.

The tone was set, and Swansea looked a good bet to write at least one more chapter in the Vetch's cup history.

Only once in the first period did Reading seriously threaten, when a Bobby Convey corner reached the not-so-aptly named Glen Little and the giant winger's shot was cleared off the line by Ijah Anderson.

But it was the hosts who should have led at the break.

They might very well have had a penalty, even if Reading felt Ibrahima Sonko's challenge on Lee Trundle was fair.

Referee Clive Penton penalised the Senegalese defender but wrongly awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box when the alleged offence occurred inside the area.

Andy Gurney's drive was deflected wide.

Hahnemann's first telling contribution was to beat away a crisp 20-yarder from Forbes, and he was grateful to see Lee Trundle's effort brush the side netting when Connor had set him up for the best chance of the opening 45 minutes.

''We dominated the first half but we couldn't get the goal,'' Gurney reflected. ''If we had done I think we would have gone on to win.''

After tales of tantrums at the interval in last Saturday's draw with Wycombe, there was surely no conflict in the home dressing room last night.

More likely, the raised voices on this occasion were coming from the other side of the corridor.

''We just asked for a bit more width,'' Coppell revealed.

Whatever was said worked, as the visitors emerged after the break looking a bit more like a team who reside a full two divisions above Swansea.

Within seconds a rare Willy Gueret blunder almost let in the outstanding Ivar Ingimarsson as the Royals threatened to prove a class above.

Swansea's goalkeeper was soon in more familiar action, scrambling across his line to claw out Lloyd Owusu's header when the deadlock seemed certain to be broken.

The breakthrough never came, though, as Nicky Forster blazed over Gueret's bar and, in the dying moments of normal time, Swansea substitute Andy Robinson saw a spectacular volley turned around the post by the airborne Hahnemann.

''It was more even in the second half, but even then their keeper needed to make a great save,'' Jackett grumbled.

As Sky Sports went to a break and the teams prepared for extra time, it was his players who appeared in greater need of the energy drinks.

Coppell's thirst, as he plans for a meeting with Championship leaders Ipswich at the weekend, had been for a normal-time winner.

As it transpired, the decisive blow was eventually delivered just five minutes into the final phase of this gruelling tie.

Steve Sidwell, another of Reading's class acts, had already wasted one opportunity when Graeme Murty's free-kick was headed on by Icelandic international Ingimarsson.

Forster, unmarked inside the six-yard box, gleefully accepted his first goal since September after checking that the assistant referee's flag had stayed down.

''I thought it was offside,'' said Izzy Iriekpen.

He was not the only one.

On the wrong end of a tight call, Swansea dug deep in a bid to force a penalty shoot-out.

Sent in by Connor's deft touch, Trundle was denied an equaliser by Hahnemann.

''You would have put your mortgage on Trunds to score,'' Iriekpen lamented.

Still Swansea were not finished, but when Hahnemann leapt once more to divert Robinson's injury-time free-kick, they were left to rue their finishing.

''The TV cameras weren't here to see us win, so I'm delighted that we eventually got the goal,'' Coppell added.

''But I'm sure Swansea will be a force in their division for the rest of the season, and they have definitely got the firepower to get promotion.''

Cheerio to the cup, then, but after another highly-creditable showing, hello, perhaps, to League One.

THEY gave it their very best shot but, in the end, Swansea could not prevent this thrilling third-round replay from being the last-ever FA Cup match at the Vetch Field.
Kenny Jackett's men produced a heroic performance to take the tie into extra-time but, after 120 exhausting minutes, the final whistle brought confirmation that one last famous cup upset would not be witnessed at the old ground.

It was an evening when Swansea made a mockery of the difference in status between themselves and their Championship opponents.

The Swans had dominated the first half and, even though Reading's class shone through after the break, the Welsh side stood firm at the back.

Jackett's men also had keeper Willy Gueret to thank for pulling off a magnificent save to prevent striker Lloyd Owusu netting in normal time. But Nicky Forster's close-range goal five minutes into extra-time ensured it is the Royals rather than the Swans who will host either Leicester or Blackpool in the fourth round.

With the additional 30 minutes taking its toll on tiring Swansea legs, the League Two team could not muster a response as Steve Coppell's men resisted their late rally.

But there was no shame in defeat as the Swans, with strikers Lee Trundle and Paul Connor deserving of a goal, gave Reading the fright of their lives in what was the archetypal classic cup tie.

Boss Jackett had dropped Swansea's popular Scouse midfielder Andy Robinson for this rematch in favour of Ijah Anderson. Neither was there a place in the side for Alan Tate, the return of Adrian Forbes from suspension giving Leon Britton the chance to reproduce his outstanding weekend performance in a central midfield role.

Swansea might have lacked the class of their Championship opponents, but they were still the better of the two sides in the first half - and the one that looked most likely to score.

Reading, in fact, made a nervy start to proceedings as some messy defending forced American international keeper Marcus Hahnemann to scramble the ball clear of Trundle.

Britton, again making some menacing thrusts into opposition territory, fired a shot wide after a neat interchange involving Trundle and Connor while Swansea's best chance went begging when Forbes outmuscled his defender to send the ball across the face of goal. It only needed the slightest of touches to send it past Hahnemann.

Confidence was coursing through Swansea veins and on they pushed. After 15 minutes there were gasps all round again as Connor saw a header cleared off the line by Steve Sidwell, Reading's highly-valued England U21 international.

Reading were quick to counter, it was just that Coppell's men were all pace and power without any real penetration. But two quickfire chances fell their way, Glenn Little having a blistering 20-yard shot turned off the line by Anderson and the lively Bobby Convey testing Gueret's handling with a 25-yard attempt that skimmed across the increasingly soggy surface.

On the half-hour mark Swansea won a free-kick after a dubious foul on Trundle. It seemed it had actually been committed in the box so, if anything, Sussex referee Clive Penton should have pointed to the spot.

As it was, Trundle left the set-piece to Gurney, who leathered the ball low towards goal but saw it deflected out for a corner.

Forbes again came close for the Swans when he had a low curling effort pushed round the post after manufacturing time and space to shoot on the edge of the Reading area.

Four minutes before the interval Trundle despaired when, after being slipped through by Connor, he shot high and wide of the near post when taking it across goal might have been the better option.

Just after the interval Gueret had Swansea hearts in their mouths when he fumbled the ball in a dangerous position. The French keeper dropped Convey's corner and, luckily for him as he lay on the floor, Ivar Ingimarsson poked the follow-up effort wide.

On 66 minutes, however, Gueret's name was being chanted from the terraces after he pulled off a magnificent smothering save. The ball was sprayed out to the right where Little had time and space to pick out Owusu at the far post.

The former Brentford striker's header was perfect, but he was thwarted when Gueret came scrambling across his line from right to left to somehow push it away.

Owusu despaired. Swansea breathed a sigh of relief.

City had a couple of penalty claims turned down when Trundle and then Britton were hauled down in the box as Swansea, showing no shortage of spirit and endeavour, scrapped to prevent the tie going into extra-time.

Jackett withdrew Anderson for Robinson and, with eight minutes of normal time remaining, the Liverpudlian had a chance to break the deadlock but could not get his 30-yard effort on target.

Forster then missed a glorious chance to settle the tie in Reading's favour when he fired over the bar from Little's pinpoint cross before Robinson responded at the other end with a thundering volley that was superbly pushed round a post by the out-stretched hand of Hahnemann.

Having bravely denied the Royals for 90 minutes, Swansea were undone just five minutes into extra-time when Graeme Murty delivered a deep free-kick, Ingimarsson headed back across goal and Forster tapped the ball home amid a suspicion of offside.

The feeling that this would not be Swansea's night was underlined when Trundle, racing clear on goal after a clever flick from Connor, saw his goalbound shot smothered by Hahnemann.

Swansea rallied right at the end of extra-time and Hahnemann turned Robinson's fierce free-kick round the post, but they just couldn't muster the equaliser their efforts deserved.

It was a disappointing end to Swansea's FA Cup era at the Vetch - but it was a gallant effort that Jackett's players should feel proud of.

RUMOURS of a dressing room bust-up, a former Swans striker called Tyson delivering the killer blow and a two-goal lead squandered for the first time this season - it was an uncomfortable day all round at the Vetch.

Swans boss Kenny Jackett predictably rubbished talk that a heated first-half exchange of words between midfielders Andy Gurney and Andy Robinson had boiled over during the interval.

Both players were substituted at the break and, though Robinson was having a poor game, the decision to remove Gurney - captain in the continued absence of Roberto Martinez - left Swans fans scratching their heads in confusion.

As if that wasn't enough, a Wycombe fightback that saw Roger Johnson and former Swans loan striker Nathan Tyson cancel out goals from Paul Connor and Lee Trundle meant there were plenty of unwanted post-match talking points for Jackett.

"I did see Gurney and Robinson exchanging a few harsh words during the first half, but there was no set-to at half-time," insisted Jackett, probably appreciative that tonight's FA Cup third-round replay against Reading gives his men the chance to get this game out of the system.

"They're both fiery and competitive characters, but what happened between them on the pitch was over with very quickly. It was heat of the moment stuff that we accept as professionals.

"There was only one person talking at half-time and that was me.

"Though I don't want to see those two players at each other's throats, neither do I want them to lose their competitive streak, which, as footballers, is a big asset to both of them.

"And in a game like that, you do need a spark. A spark that might come from an argument, a tackle or a little bit of aggression.

"But, as I said, it didn't carry through to half-time and we were out of the changing room quickly for the start of the second half."

And the reason behind the double substitution? "I just needed to shake things up by changing the equation of my midfield four because we didn't quite have the right balance," Jackett explained.

"There were a number of changes I could've made and the decision to bring Gurney and Robinson off was not necessarily an indictment on their first-half performance.

"I wouldn't say they'd been any worse than anybody else."

Whatever the thinking behind it, the change paid dividends as Swansea, driven forward by the outstanding Leon Britton, discovered the creativity sorely lacking during a poor opening half.

For some reason - perhaps fans were saving their money for the more attractive lure of Reading in the cup - the Vetch crowd was almost 4,500 down on the bumper New Year's Day turnout against Yeovil.

At half-time it seemed those who stayed away had made the right decision as the two sides had largely cancelled each other out, with Swans pair Gurney and Trundle each going close and Tyson and Steve Guppy missing chances for an impressive Wycombe side.

"We were poor in the first half," Jackett lamented. "As the home side, we hadn't been pro-active enough. We didn't play with enough urgency or get the ball out from the back."

But moving Britton into his favoured central midfield position produced the desired effect as the former West Ham man, relishing this rare chance to carve open a defence down the middle, caused John Gorman's side endless problems with his running and his skill on the ball.

It was his menacing surge to the edge of the Wycombe box that led to Swansea's first goal, the little Londoner laying off a cute pass for Connor to chase onto and round keeper Frank Talia before sliding home his third goal in as many matches and his 10th of the season.

Britton was the architect again seven minutes later, winning a tackle in midfield and feeding Trundle, who rounded defender Mike Williamson before being pulled down when he tried to do the same to Talia.

Up stepped Swansea's leading scorer to smash home the resulting spot-kick - taking his tally for the campaign to 13 - and the interval discomfort felt by supporters had been banished.

But it was soon to return. Swansea have rarely looked vulnerable in defence this season, but they were never really at ease against visitors benefiting from the experienced legs of veteran striker Steve Claridge - even if Swans fans did their best to put him off with taunts of "You're not famous any more!"

The Buckinghamshire side ensured a share of the spoils when Roger Johnson headed in Tony Craig's long-range free-kick and, five minutes later, Tyson got the final touch on another set-piece, a delightful in-swinger from Guppy that caught the Swans defence stone cold.

"Generally this season, when we've gone in front we've managed to keep the back door shut, so it's disappointing to let Wycombe back in the game with two late goals," said Jackett, whose side now sit three points behind joint League Two leaders Yeovil and Scunthorpe and remain four in front of nearest pursuers Southend.

"It's definitely two points dropped, especially as we performed very well in the second half and had chances to go further in front and kill it off.

"But I wouldn't say we've thrown it away because, to some degree, you have to give credit to the opposition.

"Wycombe have got some talented players - some pace with Tyson and some experience with the likes of Claridge, Guppy and Nethercott."

There is no time for Jackett to dwell on the defeat, with Steve Coppell's men aiming to dispatch the Swans at the second attempt after the original third-round cup tie at the Madejski Stadium nine days ago ended 1-1.

Jackett said, "There will only be a few hours to prepare the team, but it's the same for Reading, who were in action up at Burnley at the weekend.

"The players can certainly look forward to this game now. We've got a cracking opportunity to get through to the fourth round. We were pleased with our performance at Reading. At times we had the rub of the green, but sometimes you need a bit of that to beat sides two leagues above you."

And, no doubt, just a little bit of aggression too.

KENNY JACKETT has assured midfield star Leon Britton that he does have a long-term future at Swansea.

Britton's current contract expires at the end of the season and, ahead of playing a starring role in the 2-2 home draw against Wycombe, he expressed his fear he might not be awarded a new one.

A cult hero when he first arrived at the Vetch from West Ham in December 2002, the Londoner's future at the club has been in some doubt having had few opportunities to shine this season.

But Britton's fortunes improved on Saturday night when, after producing a sparkling performance that was reminiscent of his early displays in a Swans shirt, Jackett had some good news for him.

"I do think Leon has a long-term future at the club," revealed the Swans boss, addressing for the first time speculation that Britton might have been deemed surplus to requirements in the summer.

"It's difficult to talk about contracts because we don't know what division we're going to be in next season and our plans are only sketched out at the moment.

"But with regard to Leon, I've been very pleased with him and he is part of my long-term plans - certainly beyond this season.

"He fits into the big jigsaw that you've got to find all the right pieces for and I do see him as a very talented player."

The 22-year-old has made just seven starts this season after seeing the midfield position he filled with such distinction in his first two seasons at the Vetch handed to a converted defender, Kris O'Leary.

Britton's frustration was compounded by an injury that left him on the sidelines in the run up to Christmas.

And, to top it all, the perception has persisted that Jackett regards him as being too slight for the rough and tumble nature of League Two.

Not so, says Jackett.

"No, I don't think Leon's too small," he said. "As is the case with all players, it depends what you've got around you.

"If Leon has got the right compliment of people around him, it can work.

"Having four Leon Brittons across midfield wouldn't work. But having four Roberto Martinezs wouldn't work either."

After struggling to make an impact as a right-sided replacement for the suspended Adrian Forbes, the former Hammer ran the show for Swansea, setting up both his side's goals when he was switched to his preferred central midfield position after the interval.

Jackett said, "I did say a couple of weeks ago that I didn't think Leon could operate in the middle in the system we play.

"But I have to say he's looked pretty convincing there in the last couple of games.

"It goes to show that you've got to remain open-minded about things.

"I don't get everything right - far from it - and you've always got to reassess feelings and opinions.

"He's had a frustrating time because just as I thought he was starting to break through and gain in confidence, he picked up an untimely injury.

"But he's done very well to come back and make one substitute appearance and two starts.

"He did very well here, but I thought he also did well against Reading in the FA Cup."

Jackett added, "I switched Leon to the centre of midfield in this match because I felt that what he's got, we needed in that position.

"We needed some good forward running and sharp movement - two qualities we were lacking in the first half - and Leon provided both of them.

"He's definitely done enough to get another go (in tonight's FA Cup replay against Reading).

"I've been very pleased with him."

LES Ferdinand last night tipped Swansea City's Izzy Iriekpen to make it at the very top.

But the grand old man of strikers reckons his old pal MUST adhere to a strict regime of 'hard work and dedication' in order to fulfil his considerable potential.

Ex-England international Ferdinand and Eastender Iriekpen forged a lasting friendship while both were at West Ham United two years ago.

They went their separate ways with the ex-England line leader looking for a final fling after 20 years in the game, while Iriekpen took a step backwards to move forwards by switching to the Swans.

But the FA Cup has thrown them back together, albeit as rivals, with Ferdinand joining City's third round opponents Reading just prior to last Saturday's clash.

Iriekpen played his part in a battling draw at the Madejski Stadium and with the replay to be screened by Sky tomorrow, Ferdinand reckons Izzy has the perfect chance to showcase the talent he knows the 22-year-old possesses.

"Izzy was unfortunate at West Ham because at that time (2003) there were people ahead of him in the pecking order that the club had paid big money for," said Ferdinand.

"I always felt that Izzy was knocking on the door and he was very close to getting an opportunity in the first team but he felt he needed to leave to get that first team chance.

"As one of the experienced players, I used to give Izzy bits of advice and share my knowledge as he was in the West Ham reserves and struggling to get into the side.

"I suppose a lot of guys at his age would have been looking for a move down the divisions in order to play regularly. But I told him 'You're at a great little club here and you've got a great opportunity to play for an excellent club, so long as if you knuckle down and work hard'.

"But you can only give advice and what the youngsters do with that advice is up to them. He wanted to push on and he must have felt he'd only progress by playing first-team football so he joined Swansea."

While Iriekpen couldn't quite make the grade at the Hammers, Ferdinand doesn't feel he lacks the right attributes.

"Izzy's a big lad who is powerful and strong so he can handle himself in a physical tussle with a striker," added Ferdinand.

"He reads the game quite well too and is quick. Izzy's willing to listen and that's essential but he also must push himself to the limit.

"As for playing against him, during the first-half I managed to lose him and when he got close up again he joked: 'Don't embarrass me Les!' He's a lovely lad who I know well and I still speak to him now and again."

OLD boy Nathan Tyson's lethal late blow knocked Swansea City's promotion challenge back as Wycombe Wanderers stole a point.

But Vetch Field chief Kenny Jackett moved quickly to deny a bust-up of another kind - in his changing room.

The Swans squandered a two-goal lead for the first time this season as striker Tyson, a loan star at the Vetch in the 2001/02 season, and Roger Johnson scored for Wanderers in seven frantic minutes as Jackett's sloppy defence were thumped by a Wycombe fightback.

Paul Connor and Lee Trundle had given Swansea a seemingly comfortable lead inside the opening 15 minutes of the second-half - but Tyson floored them with his 11th goal of the season.

Swansea showed little fight on the field, but rumours swept the Vetch afterwards that Andy Robinson and stand-in skipper Andy Gurney clashed in the players' tunnel at half-time. The fiery pair had been at each other's throats during the first half and Jackett shocked the home crowd by hauling them off at the break following a dismal opening period.

But he denied a falling-out between his midfield firebrands, saying: "They didn't have a set-to at half-time.

"I saw them exchange words on the pitch. But they're both competitors and fiery characters. They said one or two things to each other during the game, but it was over very quickly and they got on with it.

"While I don't want to see them arguing, I don't want to lose their competitive streak either.

"If they lose that edge, they'll lose something from their game.

"The argument was heat of the moment stuff because they're professional people and want to win. Anyway, there was only one person talking at half-time and that was me.

"There were a number of changes I could have made at the break. I felt I had to shake things up and take somebody off and it was them because I wanted to change the midfield equation in terms of the balance as it didn't look right."

The Swans needed an injection of confidence before tomorrow night's FA Cup third round replay against Reading, so Jackett was hoping his promotion-chasers repeated their festive goal glut.

Perhaps that's what the Welshmen were expecting as Wycombe's recent form - John Gorman's strugglers haven't won for a month - is among the worst in the division.

But it was a case of before the Lord Mayor's Show. An average Wycombe side dominated possession and controlled a miserable first-half without really testing Swans stopper Willy Gueret.

The hosts desperately lacked creativity. Makeshift midfielders Alan Tate and Gurney, in for crocked duo Roberto Martinez and Kris O'Leary, were workmanlike, but never had the guile to free strike pair Trundle and Connor.

Leon Britton was also absent without leave on the right flank in the opening period, in complete contrast to his second-half heroics, and Trundle and Connor had to drop deep to create opportunities for themselves. Connor had Swansea's first chance on 22 minutes but his 20-yarder was deflected over by Mike Williamson.

Five minutes later, Trundle picked up the ball on the right and skipped past two defenders before dashing inside. But his right-foot blast whizzed past Frank Talia's right-hand post.

Wycombe were bright, neat and adventurous, but lacked a cutting edge, even with Steve Claridge up front with their 10-goal top-scorer Tyson.

Then came Jackett's changes. Brad Maylett and Ijah Anderson went on for Gurney and Robinson and little Britton moved into the middle. Jackett's reshuffle paid dividends as Britton stole the second-half show.

Firstly, the pint-sized playmaker cut the Wycombe defence to shreds with an intricate pass to Connor, who jinked around the diving Talia to slide in his third goal in three games and his 10th of the season.

Trundle wasn't about to be outdone. The cheeky Scouser danced around two statuesque defenders forcing Talia to sprint off his line and dive at his feet. Trundle went down under the Aussie 'keeper's challenge and referee Mike Fletcher wasted no time in pointing to the spot.

Wycombe argued Trundle had dived, but Fletcher waved away their protests and booked Talia before Trundle picked himself up to smash his 13th goal of the season into the bottom left-hand corner. Gorman moaned afterwards: "The penalty was soft. But I felt Trundle was going to score anyway because he's so good at scoring goals.

"Our 'keeper did really well and he was adamant that it wasn't a penalty and the referee accepted that after the game but then it's too late."

Jackett seemed to have stifled the creativity of former England man Steve Guppy and then Connor missed two one-on-ones - which came back to haunt him.

Keeper Gueret received his fifth caution of the campaign, meaning he's landed himself with a suspension for Saturday's trip to Boston.

And it was at that point when it all started going horribly wrong for the hosts.

Guppy's wicked in-swinging cross was nodded in by centre-back Johnson at the back-post with 13 minutes left.

The visitors threw caution to the wind, leaving space for Britton to weave his magic and unleash a sweet through-pass to Maylett, but instead of squaring to Connor, he flicked the ball past Talia and agonisingly past the far post too.

But within seven minutes of Johnson's goal, Tyson stole a dramatic late equaliser.

Guppy was again the orchestrator with a delicious left-footed in-swinging cross which Tyson glanced home as the Swansea defence stood and watched.

Tyson again found himself free in the box, but squandered the chance of a winner.

Wycombe felt they should have a penalty chance for a winner when Danny Senda was sent tumbling by Alan Tate inside the box, but Fletcher ignored the visitors claims.

As Gorman concluded: "A draw was fair."

ANDY ROBINSON has set himself a 15-goal target as he looks to fire Swansea towards League Two promotion.
And Robinson today hopes to take another step to fulfilling that ambition against Wycombe, an outfit who under the leadership of former England No 2 John Gorman are seeking to enter the play-off scrap.

"I'd rather play in the centre so I can have more influence on the game," admitted Robinson.

"But I'm fitting into a specific left-side position at the moment.

"I like to rattle in my share of goals, though. I've got six so far this season.

"The next target is 10 - but I'd like to hit 15 before the end of the campaign."

Robinson has become a firm Vetch favourite since being booted out of his local club Tranmere Rovers.

From managing only one appearance off the bench at Prenton Park, Robinson today stands by for his 69th Swansea appearance in front of an expected bumper 10,000 crowd.

He said, "My time with the Swans has given me back my self-belief.

"The stakes were high for me when I came to this club. I have a wife and small family and when you're in a situation like that you know that failure can't be considered.

"I set my own standards last season and, overall, I was happy with my form.

"But for the first occasion at Swansea, my displays dipped a little earlier this campaign.

"The gaffer (Kenny Jackett) was very honest with me.

"He told me the team appeared a little lop-sided and that he was attempting to bring in another left-sided midfield player."

That loan recruit was Bristol City winger Marc Goodfellow, who has since been the subject of a £25,000 offer from the Swansea board, while another £75,000 offer for Rushden & Diamonds' player Andy Burgess was also turned down this week.

Those swoops were not successful - at least for the time being - but nobody has to spell out the ambition of Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins and his progressive Vetch board.

The club will soon move into a new £25m 20,000 all-seater stadium at the Morfa.

And the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Championship strugglers Nottingham Forest could be on their League One agenda next season.

"In many ways I'm living the dream right now," he said. "But I'm so determined to play my part in giving Swansea success. I'm a midfielder with an instinct for goal."

To do that, the all-action Robinson might need to quell his naturally fiery instincts, as he has accumulated one red and seven yellow cards since August.

But he reflected, "I am what I am. What are important to me are the simple things.

"When I go back to Birkenhead to see my family, a lot of the familiar faces I grew up with are still there.

"Some lads have done something with their life, others haven't. But it seems they feel I'm making progress with what I've done at Swansea. I can't tell you how important that is to me."

Wycombe, who led League One earlier this term under their former boss, the Arsenal legend Tony Adams, lost 1-0 to Swansea at the Causeway Stadium in September before exacting revenge in the LDV Vans Trophy.

The Swans have racked up four wins from five league games but are without the suspended Adrian Forbes today.

The former Manchester United starlet Alan Tate should return to a central midfield role with Leon Britton switching to the right after making his first start for two months in the 1-1 FA Cup draw at Reading.

Wycombe are without former Wrexham front-runner Craig Faulconbridge, but give a debut to the former Leicester, Millwall and Birmingham City star Steve Claridge.

Swansea have terminated the contract of left-back Leon Hylton, who managed only 21 appearances in 18 injury-ravaged months at the Vetch.

The former England Under-21 defender joined Swansea in June 2003 after being released by Aston Villa but played only one game - a FAW Premier Cup tie at Rhyl in April - after Kenny Jackett took over at the Vetch.

LEON BRITTON fears the clock could be running down on his Swansea future.
The concerned 22-year-old Londoner should be in the Swans line-up for today's visit of Wycombe Wanderers - but his Vetch contract will expire only two months before the club are due to re-locate to the Morfa Stadium.

Landing in South Wales from West Ham, initially on loan in December 2002, the twinkle-toed Britton became a cult hero with the Swansea fans as the club escaped relegation to the Conference on the last day of the season.

But Britton's first-team opportunities have been limited under Kenny Jackett and he admits he's now fighting to save his Swansea career.

"I've only just got back into the first team after an injury sidelined me back in late November," said the skilful midfielder.

"I was out for over a month and with competition for places stiff at Swansea I've been struggling to get back in favour.

"My contract is up with the club this summer so it's very important that I re-establish myself.

"I've given myself the next month to do this.

"It's just a case of seeing what happens from here. But I'll have to start making some big decisions soon.

"I love the area and have settled really well since I came to Wales from London.

"The Swansea fans have been great toward me.

"I love training and playing football but it's frustrating when you're not seeing regular first-team action."

At his best, Britton, a 16-year-old sensation when former Hammers boss Harry Redknapp set up a deal with Arsenal potentially worth £1.5m for his services, is among the most talented players in League Two.

Yet the frantic nature of football in the lower leagues is not often best suited to a player of Britton's calibre.

"Games are usually played at 100mph and the ball is frequently up in the air," he said.

"At my size, that's not a lot of good. But if Swansea can reach League One, I believe the standard of soccer in that division will suit me.

"You get a little more time on the ball and I feel that'll be something I would be happier with.

"But in the meantime I'll buckle down at Swansea.

"I'm determined to prove my worth and earn a future at a club that is going in the correct direction."

Burgess has impressed Swansea City manager Kenny Jackett

Swansea City have had a bid of £75,000 rejected by Rushden and Diamonds for 23-year-old midfielder Andy Burgess. "They are holding out for more money," said Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins. "But we don't rate him more than that.

"The transfer market as it is, we feel the offer is more than adequate for a midfielder at our level.

"We are prepared to sit and wait to see what develops. There is no pressure on our side and that's a great position to be in when you're looking for players."

Burgess has scored 23 goals in nearly 200 appearances for Rushden since making his debut in 1999.

Meanwhile, Jenkins added they have not given up hope of singing Marc Goodfellow from Bristol City despite having a bid of £25,000 rejected.

Bristol are insisting on a fee of £65,000, but Jenkins insisted they are not prepared to meet that evaluation.
Midfielder Goodfellow scored four goals in eight games for Swansea during a loan from City in November and December.

Swansea City have tabled a £75,000 bid for Rushden & Diamonds midfielder Andy Burgess. And the Evening Post understands Kenny Jackett is still tracking Wrexham striker Chris Llewellyn as well as Bristol City's Marc Goodfellow.

Burgess, 23, has 18 months to run on his Nene Park contract but it is believed he is keen on a switch to Vetch Field.

A local lad who came through the youth ranks at Rushden, he is capable of playing as a central midfielder or on the left flank.

Diamonds boss Ernie Tippett is likely to fight to keep 6ft 2in Burgess , who is blessed with good skills as well as physical presence.

But Swansea are hopeful they can prise him away from their League Two rivals as they bid to cement their promotion push.

"They're keen to hold onto him so we'll have to wait and see if anything develops," said Vetch chairman Huw Jenkins.

"Kenny rates Andy Burgess very highly and, as it stands at the moment, we've made a verbal bid of £75,000."

Should a deal go through, it would involve the biggest transfer fee paid by Swansea since Jan Molby brought Steve Watkin to South Wales from Wrexham for £108,000 back in 1997.

Even so, Jenkins hinted that the club's move for Burgess did not signal the end of their interest in former loan star Goodfellow.

Swansea have already had an offer of £25,000 rejected for the former Stoke winger but have not given up hope of clinching his signature.

Goodfellow, also 23, was an unused substitute as the Robins secured a 1-0 win at Tranmere on Monday night.

"It was interesting to note that Marc wasn't involved," Jenkins added.

Striker-cum-winger Llewellyn, meanwhile, is known to feature on Jackett's wanted list despite denials when the story emerged last month.

Swansea's buying power has been boosted by the unexpected £150,000 TV windfall received as a result of Sky Sports's decision to screen their FA Cup third-round replay with Reading live next Monday.

"We were planning to strengthen our squad anyway," Jenkins insisted, "but the money obviously helps.

"It hasn't changed the quality of players we're looking at, though."

Swansea are monitoring the fitness of club skipper Roberto Martinez (hamstring) ahead of Saturday's league clash with Wycombe.

"He is a concern," admitted Jackett, "although the good news is that we have Alan Tate back from suspension."

Reading boss Steve Coppell has backed plans for video technology to be introduced in football in the wake of Adrian Forbes's goal-line clearance against his side at the Madejski Stadium last Saturday.

"I watched the video and it looked very close to me,'' he said.

Link tickets for the home section of the West Terrace covering the meeting with Chester later this month and the last ever game at the Vetch against Shrewsbury are still available, priced £22 adults and £12 concessions.

And Swansea have announced that star striker Lee Trundle will be in the Quadrant club shop at 2pm tomorrow to sign limited edition Trundle statues.

As we now enter a new year the Trust is gearing up, in tandem with the club, for a busy and, hopefully successful, end to this season. This last season at the Vetch is likely to prove a highly emotive one and one which will be marked by several events and features involving the Trust.

At the forefront of events is the Trust's involvement with the production of a limited edition box set to commemorate the final Vetch season.

This will be limited in numbers to 1,000 and sales at present slightly exceed the 600 mark, with indications that the remaining box sets will be sold well in advance of the season's end.

This set, apart from its commemorative value, will help raise much funding for the Trust, club and most importantly, local charities.

Anyone interested in purchasing a boxed set should contact the Trust on the usual numbers or Stuart McDonald by e mail on stu.mac1@ntlworld.com

THE Trust has, at various times held fans' forums at the Vetch, giving fans an opportunity to meet Trust officers, club directors, the team manager and players.

This year it is our intention to take these forums away from the Vetch, visiting various areas in the process. The first of these "roadshow forums" takes place on Thursday, January 20, at the Penlan Social Club.

This event commences at 8pm and present will be Kenny Jackett and Roberto Martinez, in addition to Trust and club officials. All are welcome and the event will include an update on the new stadium development.

HAVING mentioned the stadium, it is also apt to mention that the Trust is committed to raising sufficient funds for the provision of a bronze bust of the great Ivor Allchurch.

This will take pride of place in the stadium's reception area - a fitting way to honour a great player.

As part of the fund-raising campaign, the Trust is holding a horse racing night at the St Helen's Lounge on the evening of Saturday, February 19.

The cost of entry, which includes a curry, is £10. Places are limited to 120 and we fully expect the event to be sold out shortly. It is anticipated that some players will be in attendance too.

If the Swans remain in the FA Cup at the fifth-round stagethen the event may be rescheduled to accommodate a match which may take place that day. Any change will be announced in advance and persons who have booked will be notified.

FINALLY, we would like to announce that the Trust has joined with the club to provide reliable, affordable coach transportation on match days , from West Wales.

The scheme will operate between Milford Haven and Swansea, with various collection points en route.

It is hoped that the it will commence in early February.

More information will be released shortly, but in the meantime, should any fans from the West Wales/Pembrokeshire areas be interested in using such transportation or require more information, then please contact us in the usual ways.

You can do that by either phoning Debbie Rees on 07977 382328 (9am-10pm), writing to Swansea City Supporters' Trust, 57 St Helen's Road, Swansea, SA1 4BE, or e-mailing: debbie.rees@swanstrust.com

SWANSEA CITY skipper Roberto Martinez is eyeing a dream Vetch Field double - promotion to League One and a glamorous fifth-round FA Cup clash.

Martinez outlined his ambitions for the rest of the season as the Swans began preparing for a busy three-day spell in which they hope to make further progress in both league and cup.

Kenny Jackett's automatic promotion hopefuls have the opportunity to go second in League Two on Saturday if they can overcome Wycombe Wanderers at the Vetch.

And, two days later, Swansea will aim to set up a home FA Cup date with Leicester or Blackpool by dispatching Reading in a third-round replay.

Providing they triumph against Steve Coppell's Premiership-chasers, Martinez insists Swansea are capable of beating either of their potential fourth-round opponents.

And he maintains that, unlike last year, when Swansea's surge to round five of the competition adversely affected their league form, cup success can go hand in hand with the promotion campaign.

"We've got a massive priority this season - and that's promotion," said Martinez.

"But I think we're also capable of having a good FA Cup run without it becoming a distraction this time.

"People might argue that the more games we have, the bigger the strain on the squad - especially as we are carrying one or two injuries at the moment.

"But I think we can cope with a good cup run. I think we've learned the lessons of last season and that the positives of a good cup run outweigh the negatives.

"We've said it many times - the FA Cup is important for the image of the football club.

"Last year, getting to the fifth round helped put Swansea on the footballing map and we have a chance to do that again."

It might seem some way off, but Martinez is excited at the prospect of the Swans again going all the way to the last 16 - and landing the glamour tie against Premiership opponents that has so far eluded them.

"Facing a big side like Manchester United or Chelsea would be a fantastic experience for the football club," said the 31-year-old Spanish midfielder.

"If you're going to go out of the cup, it would be something special to do it against a top Premiership club.

"And, again, I don't think such a game would be a distraction because we'd take the positive aspects of it into our league campaign.

"We've got a long way to go, of course, and, don't get me wrong, we've got a tough task getting through against Reading, one of the best teams in the Championship.

"But, as we've said many times before, we've got a very good chance if we can make the most of home advantage and the special force of the Vetch Field crowd.

"And it's not often we get the chance to play live on Sky Sports so that's another thing that can help fire us up.

"We've got the possibility of another home game to look forward to and I think Leicester and Blackpool are both beatable at home."

But Swansea's pressing concern is consolidating their place in the League Two automatic promotion places. Martinez and company will be more than happy if they can maintain a run of form which saw them pick up nine points from a possible 12 over the festive period.

"Wycombe will be a hard game for us because they're on a bit of a high, but it's important we pick up three points," said Martinez.

"After we beat them earlier in the season, they went on a terrible run, but they've since had a change of manager (John Gorman replaced Tony Adams) and look to be getting back to their best."

The former Real Zaragoza midfielder hopes to return against Wycombe after injury forced him to sit out last week's trip to the Madejski Stadium.

But he said, "Even though I hope to be fit, I might have to settle for a place on the bench after the team did so well at Reading.

"I think it's great news if there's a question mark over whether I'll get back into the side.

"As I've said all along, what counts is what's in the best interests of Swansea City.

"You have to put your own interests to one side."

Garry Monk insists Swansea City will not lose focus on Saturday's League Two clash with Wycombe even though the Sky TV cameras roll into Vetch Field just 48 hours later. Swansea were handed an unexpected £150,000 bonus yesterday when Sky opted to screen their FA Cup third-round replay with Reading live on Monday night (7.45pm).

Victory would earn the club another £40,000 in prize money as well as a home tie in the last 32 with either Leicester City or Blackpool, but Kenny Jackett remains more concerned about the three points on offer when the Chairboys visit this weekend.

And Monk is confident that the prospect of an evening in the cup spotlight will not be on Swansea minds come Saturday afternoon.

"The boys are well pleased that the cameras are coming," the centre-back said, "because you don't often get the chance to play in front of a TV audience in the lower leagues.

"It's exciting for us, but that doesn't mean we'll be thinking about it when we play Wycombe.

"That's a far bigger game for us because the league is our priority and we're doing all we can to get a run going between now and the end of the season.

"The gaffer won't let us start worrying about anything other than getting the win on Saturday.

"Once we've done that we can start looking forward to Reading."

Tickets for the Royals rerun go on sale to season-ticket and 12-book holders on Thursday and Friday, with only one ticket available on production of voucher C.

Remaining tickets will be on general sale from Saturday.

"Getting Leicester or Blackpool in the draw was a little bit disappointing, even though we would have home advantage," Monk added.

"We've got to beat Reading first anyway. We believe we can do that after drawing at their place, but they are a very good side and we will have to perform tremendously once again to get through."

Jackett, meanwhile, is adamant the challenge of playing two games in three days will benefit rather than hinder his side.

"I actually prefer it that way because the players' attitude and emotions will be lifted naturally for the cup game," the Swansea boss said.

"The away game at Boston the following weekend is the one that's going to be harder to get up for so I'm pleased we've got an extra day to prepare."

He added: "We'll be working hard this week to make sure the players aren't thinking about Reading when we play Wycombe.

"The league game is the bigger of the two and it's one I'm very keen to win."

The William Street ticket office is open from 9am to 6pm on Thursday and Friday, then Saturday 9.30am to 6pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm and Monday 9am to 3pm.

The club are stressing that telephone bookings will only be taken from supporters living outside the Swansea area.

Former Swan Jon Coates has left Newport County and signed for Welsh Premiership side Aberystwyth Town.

KENNY JACKETT has urged his Swansea City players to keep their emotions in check after their FA Cup adventure was handed a nationwide audience.
Swansea's reward for their battling 1-1 draw at Reading's Madejski Stadium on Saturday is an appearance in front of live television cameras for next week's third-round replay.

The Vetch Field rematch was given extra spice when Swansea announced it was being brought forward to next Monday so it can be televised by Sky Sports.

And that may not be the last FA Cup tie at the Vetch, with yesterday's fourth-round draw handing Swansea a home tie versus either Leicester or Blackpool should they prevail against Reading.

Cardiff City will also have home advantage if they can triumph in their third-round replay at Blackburn Rovers a week on Tuesday, with League One outfit Colchester United awaiting the winners.

But it is the Swans' TV date which has led to a fresh bout of cup fever sweeping the city for a second year running.

Last year, Brian Flynn's team marched through to round five before suffering a gallant defeat at Tranmere.

But, with Swansea entering a critical phase of a promotion campaign that ranks above all else at the Vetch, Jackett is anxious to ensure that his players' feet stay firmly on the ground.

"These are exciting times for the club and we're all looking forward to the Reading match, especially now that it's going to be live on television," said the Swans boss.

"But, to use the old cliche, it really is important that we focus on one game at a time - and our next game is a very important league match at home to Wycombe.

"There's a danger that emotions could be running high, so it's part of my job this week to make sure everyone is kept on an even keel and we're focused on Wycombe rather than Reading two days later.

"There wasn't a problem when we played Rushden & Diamonds a few days before we went to Reading, and it's important the players take their minds off the cup once again.

"Equally, if we do manage to beat Reading in the replay, we've got to then concentrate on another tough league game against Boston rather than the fourth round of the cup.

"I haven't told the players to completely forget about the cup, but the Monday game must not get in the way of Saturday's performance.

"The Reading game, it being live on television and certain to generate a fantastic atmosphere at the Vetch, will look after itself.

"I've asked all the players what their priority is this season and, to a man, their response was 'Getting promotion'."

Swansea haven't been granted a live television audience since Wolverhampton Wanderers won 3-2 in a League Cup thriller at the Vetch in September 2002.

The last time a Swansea FA Cup tie was shown live on Sky was a first-round meeting with Queens Park Rangers in November, 2001.

That time, Swansea thumped their opponents 4-0.

But, as close as his side came to pulling off a memorable victory at the Madejski, Jackett is guarding against over-optimism when Steve Coppell's Premiership-chasing team make the trip to South Wales.

"We'll certainly fancy our chances, but I'd like to think people won't be getting over-confident of us beating Reading in the replay," said Jackett.

"They're 47 places above us in the Football League, fourth in the Championship and have genuine Premiership aspirations.

"So, despite our home advantage, Reading will still be seen as favourites to win it."

Yesterday it was a case of another cup draw, another dose of disappointment for Swans fans as the club missed out on the big fourth-round carrot they'd hoped for.

If Swansea triumph over Reading, they'll play Championship side Leicester or League One strugglers Blackpool - who replay a week today after drawing 2-2 in their third-round clash - on the weekend of January 28.

But Jackett said, "I'm not disappointed with the prospect of Leicester or Blackpool.

"It's a home draw, which is a relief after having three away draws in a row.

"Perhaps you could say that it would be good to test ourselves against Leicester, another Championship outfit, but I don't really have a preference."

Jackett added, "We'd been talking about having one last big cup game at the Vetch and now there could be two more.

"With a big league match against Wycombe on Saturday and then Reading in the cup on Monday, it promises to be an exciting couple of days at the Vetch."

CARDIFF CITY and Swansea City each missed out on a plum fourth-round FA Cup tie yesterday - but a £150,000 windfall from Sky Sports will help soften the blow for the Swans.

The Bluebirds will host League One side Colchester United if they can overcome Blackburn Rovers in next Wednesday's third-round replay at Ewood Park.

And Swansea's incentive for beating Reading in their rematch next week is a home clash against either Championship outfit Leicester or League One strugglers Blackpool.

But there was consolation for the Swans yesterday when Sky Sports revealed plans to show the Reading game live, a move which will net the Vetch Field club £150,000.

The game has been brought forward to Monday night - and Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins believes the club are long overdue a televised match.

"From our point of view, I think it's about time Sky showed one of our games live," said Jenkins.

"We haven't been live on television for two or three seasons and it feels like we've been a bit overlooked.

"That's strange when you consider what a fantastic atmosphere you get down at the Vetch, which is surely an important factor for television.

"But we're delighted Sky have chosen the Reading match.

"And the money we'll receive from them for showing the game will be a very welcome boost.

"Kenny Jackett has made no secret he's been looking at bringing in a couple more players, so the money will be a big help in that respect."

Colchester's visit is not the glamour tie Cardiff fans would have wanted - should City get past former Wales boss Mark Hughes' Blackburn Rovers.

"I can't get too excited about it," admitted Bluebirds boss Lennie Lawrence, summing up the mood of the Cardiff faithful.

"But what I will say is that it is a potential banana skin. The odd thing is that we've drawn Colchester in the Youth Cup as well.

"The replay with Blackburn should be a very tight affair. They don't score many but they don't give that many away either. And both sides should have players back who didn't play in the first game."

Paul Connor today hailed Swansea City's fabulous fans after the excellent FA Cup draw at Reading and insisted: ''You can make the difference in the replay.'' More than 3,700 travelling fans - more than any Championship club has taken to Reading this season - took over the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

Their efforts matched those of Kenny Jackett's team, who saw what would have been a famous victory snatched from their grasp by Ivar Ingimarsson's 88th-minute leveller.

The two sides will now do battle again for a place in the fourth round in eight days' time with Swansea expecting a Vetch Field sell-out.

And goal-hero Connor declared: ''Our fans were unbelievable this weekend. The atmosphere was absolutely brilliant and it felt like a home game for us.

''When we do play Reading at home, there should be at least 11,000 of our fans there and they could make the difference for us.

''Reading are a quality side, but our supporters will be right up for the replay, just as the players will be, and I'm not sure how much they will fancy coming down to the Vetch.''

Man-of-the-match Izzy Iriekpen described Swansea's following as amazing, while Jackett joined in the praise.

He said: ''It sounded more like 30,000 than 3,000 to me and when we went to clap them at the end it was some feeling. They were terrific.

''We gave them something to cheer by putting in a superb effort and I'm proud of my players. They were dejected in the dressing room afterwards having lost the lead so late, but I told them there was no need to be.

''We've got a fantastic home game to come now and, given our terrific record at the Vetch this season, we can look forward to it with some hope.''

Premiership hopefuls Reading had the lion's share of the chances but in a pulsating contest, Swansea's staunch defending so nearly saw them through after Connor struck on the half hour.

Royals manager Steve Coppell paid tribute to Jackett's team, while the Swansea boss urged his players to build on a display which was miles apart from their 3-0 Carling Cup mauling at QPR back in August.

''It was a heartbreaker for us, but the bottom line is we produced a fantastic performance and we would all have taken a draw before the game,'' Jackett went on.

''What we must aim to do now is to be like Reading in a few years time. Their stadium is similar to the one we're moving into and, while we're a few years behind just now, they are one of the clubs we must aspire to.''

Swansea are set to announce ticket arrangements for next week's rerun tomorrow

And, while Jackett is keen to switch his players' focus to Saturday's home League Two clash with Wycombe, he added: ''We said we wanted another big cup game at the Vetch and now we've got it.

''I'm sure the atmosphere will be electric.''

Sky and BBC have made their selections for the FA Cup Third Round action the week after next. The BBC's replay choice is, not surprisingly, Exeter City v Manchester United at St James' Park on Wednesday, 19 January at 7.45 pm.

The Conference side didn't quite become the first non-Leaguers to beat a top-flight club in The Cup since 1989 but their 0-0 draw before an Old Trafford full house was arguably the shock result of the round.

Sky Sports will show the replay between Swansea City and Reading on Monday, 17th January at 7.45.

Sky will also cover the Burnley v Liverpool tie that was the only one to fall foul of the weather at the weekend. This match, a repeat of the 1914 Cup Final when Burnley won by the only goal, will be played on Tuesday, 18 January at 7.45 pm.

THERE are few crueller cuts in football than losing an heroic FA Cup lead late in the game courtesy of an opportunist strike via the inside of a post.
Yet, as Swansea boss Kenny Jackett reflected upon a marvellous third-round tie that fired the soul, the heartbreak was shoved to one side and the long-term picture revealed.

Like Moses on Mount Nebo, Jackett had seen a glimpse of the Promised Land. Championship performers, state-of-the-art stadia and an atmosphere that crackled like a frying pan full of hot fat.

"Reading are a club that in a few years we can aspire to," said Jackett, seemingly counting down the days to Swansea's switch across the city into a modern new home.

"There are similarities in the stadium and the way the two clubs are going.

"I've got a lot of respect for Steve Coppell - who is an excellent manager - and it is a club that we can perhaps model ourselves on."

Nearly 4,000 Swans fans travelled up the M4 to get a sneak preview of what the future might hold, at least as far as the playing environment is concerned.

What they witnessed was a humdinger of a tie, full of fervour on the pitch and plenty of passion off it.

Reading - whose friendliness and hospitality off the pitch puts some of their Championship rivals to shame - provide Royals' fans with the honour of the No 13 shirt on their team sheet.

It's a shame in many respects for Swansea that back-up goalkeeper Brian Murphy wears an ill-suited No 1 jersey as their fans are by far the best in the business in League Two.

The noise they made, particularly in the second half when Swansea's backs were against the wall, drove Jackett's men on to within two minutes of a famous cup scalp.

"Someone said we had 3,700 fans in there but to me it sounded like 30,000," said Jackett.

"They're a fantastic support and they created a great atmosphere.

"Now they've got another cup-tie at the Vetch and the one thing I do know is that the atmosphere will be electric."

Reading will also know to expect a scrap.

The Premiership wannabes got out of jail on Saturday but only need to ask West Ham and Preston what the Vetch can hold on special cup nights.

Foreboding is the word that springs to mind.

And although Jackett and his players rued Reading's survivor skills, the Swansea coffers will again be swelled by another near full house.

Swansea will take heart from matching their more illustrious rivals at the Madejski Stadium, defending deep but able to launch swift counter-thrusts that troubled Reading defenders often confused by not having a direct opponent to mark.

Lee Trundle sacrificed some of his skills to fit into a disciplined team shape, pulling into a left-sided position for the first half from where he set up Paul Connor's 32nd-minute opening goal.

Trundle's drive found Connor with the aid of a deflection and though the striker slightly scuffed his shot it found the bottom corner of Marcus Hahnemann's net for his fifth goal in seven games.

It also maintained his record of netting in every cup round this season.

Behind Connor and Trundle lay the hard-working midfield triumvirate of Adrian Forbes, Leon Britton - making his first start for two months - and Andy Robinson with Andy Gurney offering further protection in front of the back four.

With Izzy Iriekpen and Garry Monk in a commanding mood, Reading's early bluster with the movement of debutant Les Ferdinand at the hub disappeared.

And for all their pressure and the Swansea box increasingly resembling a pinball machine, Willy Gueret actually had few saves to make.

"The cup brings out the best in a lot of teams," said Reading boss Coppell. "The 40 or so places between us in the league mean nothing.

"Swansea had a disciplined and well-organised game plan but still tried to attack us when they had the ball.

"We conceded a soft goal as far as I'm concerned and had to work doubly hard to create things."

Despite the visitors' taunts of 'You're Not Famous Anymore', former England striker Ferdinand went close several times with his aerial ability defying his 38 years.

Nicky Forster stabbed an inviting chance wide, Glen Little's cross-cum-shot struck the far post and Forbes acrobatically hacked clear an Ibrahima Sonko header to prevent another debate on the use of goal-line technology.

Swansea might have sealed matters had Britton spotted unguarded substitute Ijah Anderson on a rare breakout.

But having looked to have ridden Reading's storm, the Swans were caught by defender Ivar Ingimarsson pushing forward.

Complaints of a push on Anderson fell on deaf ears as the Icelandic defender crashed home a 20-yard shot off Gueret's right-hand post.

"Two minutes to go and you think you're through," said Jackett.

"But we would have accepted a draw before and overall it's a good achievement to get Reading back to the Vetch Field."

Roll on the replay.