SWANSEA CITY target Darren Pratley has stunned boss Kenny Jackett by joining Brentford on loan.
Fulham midfielder Pratley had been expected to begin a four-month stay at the New Stadium today.

But the 20-year-old midfielder has instead decided to move a few short miles across London and join Swansea's League One rivals Brentford until January.

Pratley spent three months at Griffin Park last season, making 16 appearances for the Bees.

"Darren did particularly well for us last season and I tried right through the summer to get him back here," said Brentford boss Martin Allen.

"Surprisingly nobody came in for him from a higher level and then he had the choice between us and several other clubs. Thankfully he chose us.

"So far we have been short in the central midfield area because of injuries and this signing is a big relief coming so close to the deadline."

Pratley made his Fulham debut against Wigan in September 2003 but has made just one further outing for Chris Coleman's senior team.

Coleman would have preferred Pratley to have gone on loan to a Championship team, but with no takers it looked as if Jackett had won the race for the talented youngster.

But Allen has got his man and Pratley's decision should add extra spice to Swansea's visit to Griffin Park on Boxing Day.

More predictable was confirmation that Hibernian striker Derek Riordan has rejected a £500,000 move to Cardiff.

The two clubs agreed a fee last week, but the 22-year-old was reluctant to make the switch and was given the weekend to mull over his options.

His agent Jim McArthur has now confirmed that Riordan - Scotland's Young Player of the Year last season after netting 23 times for Hibs - will stay at Easter Road for the immediate future.

Riordan's decision is a further blow to Bluebirds boss Dave Jones who last week saw £300,000 target Kris Boyd reject a move from Kilmarnock, despite passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.

Meanwhile, Cardiff wing Richard Langley and striker Stuart Fleetwood could complete moves to Crystal Palace and Cheltenham today.

Wrexham have applied to the Football League for Friday's League Two game with Lincoln City to be postponed.

Levi Mackin's late call-up to the Wales U21 squad means Wrexham are now without the requisite three players as Welsh midfielder Mark Jones and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Michael Ingham are also on international duty. Wrexham hope to re-arrange their trip to Sincil Bank for Tuesday, September 13.

Swansea City have decided not to pursue their interest in Bristol Rovers central defender Christian Edwards. And that means the former Nottingham Forest player will be on his way back to the Memorial Stadium when his loan spell expires in the middle of next month.

The 29-year-old Welsh international went back to the club where he started his career to cover an injury and suspension crisis at the Swans, with the League One club hinting that his stint could be a prelude to a permanent move.

Edwards played a full 90 minutes in their 2-1 win at Doncaster and 3-1 defeat at Reading, but featured for only 14 minutes from the bench in Saturday's 5-2 demolition of Walsall at the Bescot Stadium, and was not in the squad for yesterday's clash against Barnsley.

And with regular first-teamers now available again for Kenny Jackett's side, Edwards could be faced with the prospect of becoming a fringe player until he returns to the Pirates.

Edwards, one of the top earners at Rovers, was put on the transfer list last season but started the campaign in the first team.

Even though Edwards looks to be on his way back, Rovers boss Ian Atkins wants a fresh face to bolster a back line that has conceded 10 goals in five League outings so far.

Rushden central defender Graham Allen is still high on his list of targets, despite a recent injury scare.

The former Tranmere Rovers defender has missed the last two games with an Achilles problem, but is expected to be fit again by this weekend. If Atkins gets clearance to strengthen, an initial loan move is the likeliest option.

Rovers, without a game today after their home clash with Oxford was postponed because of an international call-up for the visitors, travel to Leyton Orient on Saturday (1pm), and their reserve team were in action at Coventry today.

Fulham midfielder Darren Pratley has snubbed Swansea's advances to join Brentford on loan until January. The Welsh club had expected the 20-year-old midfielder to begin a four-month stay at the New Stadium.

But Pratley has opted for a return to Griffin Park where he spent three months last season, making 16 appearances for the League One outfit.

He made his Fulham debut against Wigan in September 2003 but has made just one further outing for the senior team.

Pratley had been a target for Swans manager Kenny Jackett since the close season.

Fulham boss Chris Coleman would have prefered it if Pratley had gone on loan to a Championship team.
But Brentford will be delighted to have the talented youngster's services for a second time.

KENNY Jackett today hailed his players after a spectacular Bank Holiday weekend saw Swansea City surge to second place in League One. Swansea crashed home eight goals as they banked six points out of six to leave them just a point behind Huddersfield. First Walsall were thrashed in the Midlands on Saturday, then Barnsley were humbled 3-1 at The New Stadium yesterday thanks to Lee Trundle's free-kick and a spectacular Kevin McLeod double.

"We've got 12 points from our first six games and I'm very pleased with that," Jackett said. "We've had some ups and downs already this season with the injuries and suspensions, but we've coped with that and made a veryencouraging start.

"To get two wins out of two over the weekend is a great return after we lost our three previous games. I'm delighted with the players."

The Swansea manager reserved special praise for his Scouse match-winners after another entertaining contest.

"I'm a big believer in Kevin McLeod having worked with him at Queens Park Rangers and I'm pleased that he is starting to show what he can do," Jackett added.

"And Lee's free-kick was terrific. We all know he's capable of that sort of thing - he can pull things out of the bag in a tight game.

"The more I see of it, the more I think this division is wide open and that everybody can beat everybody else. That means we can certainly make a mark."

Swansea were today still waiting to complete the signing of Darren Pratley on a four-month loan from Premiership Fulham.

"I haven't been able to speak to (Fulham boss) Chris Coleman yet but we are hoping that it's all going to go through," Jackett said.

Yeovil's Lee Johnson and West Ham midfielder Gavin Williams also remain targets ahead of the closure of the transfer window. Jackett, meanwhile, has indicated that Paul Connor has a big role at Swansea this season after he was controversially dropped to the bench yesterday..

But Jackett said: "I was very pleased with him at Walsall - he was excellent there - and at Reading in the Carling Cup. I actually think the bigger pitch at our new stadium will suit him better than the Vetch did. He's athletic, he runs the channels well and he is skilful player."

SWANSEA CITY'S Scouse connection propelled Kenny Jackett's men to second spot in League One with Kevin McLeod and Lee Trundle producing spectacular strikes to sink Barnsley.

McLeod scored either side of the break, beating Tykes goalkeeper Nick Colgan with either foot, while fellow Liverpudlian Trundle fired a stunning 30-yard free-kick in between.

After slaying Walsall on the weekend, the Swans find themselves a point behind leaders Huddersfield after collecting six points - and scoring eight goals - in three days.

The only downside for Jackett was that he saw more bookings for his players. This time four Swans - Roberto Martinez, Leon Britton, Owain Tudur Jones and Adebayo Akinfenwa - went into referee Steve Tanner's book, bringing the club's yellow-card tally to 19 for the season.

"It has been a great Bank Holiday weekend for us. I'm delighted to get six points," said Jackett, who today hopes to sign Fulham midfielder Darren Pratley on loan until January.

"Kevin has started to show what he can do. I worked with him at Queens Park Rangers and I'm a big believer in him. His goals were clinical strikes.

"We've got 12 points from our first six games and I'm very pleased with that.

"We've had some ups and downs regarding bookings and injuries, but as a club we have to cope.

"The number of cards we're picking up is a concern. But I watched the Football League highlights the other night and it was a goal and a booking, a goal and a sending off.

"So it does seem to be right the way through the league. A lot of managers are talking about suspensions. I just hope it settles down."

Jackett made one change to the side that started the terrific 5-2 win at Walsall with Trundle shaking off his tight hamstring problem to replace Paul Connor in the Swans attack.

Connor could consider himself extremely unlucky to be relegated to the bench. He was one of Swansea's outstanding players at the Bescot Stadium.

Not only did he score the best goal of the afternoon, but he was also singled out for praise by Walsall boss Paul Merson.

Barnsley, who dumped Preston out of the Carling Cup last week, included two players Jackett was keen to bring to South Wales, targetman Barry Conlon and ex-Cheltenham winger Martin Devaney.

McLeod opened the scoring after 14 minutes when he latched onto a loose ball before unleashing a 20-yard thunderbolt that almost made a hole in the back of Colgan's net.

After a difficult start to his Swans career the former QPR player is enjoying a rich vein of form and he almost doubled the lead minutes later with another spectacular shot that shaved the upright after a thrilling counter-charge started by Britton and also involving Trundle and Akinfenwa.

Barnsley then started to creep into the contest and Willy Gueret was called upon for the first time after half-an-hour, the Swans goalkeeper stopping Antony Kay's 30-yard free-kick with his feet.

But the Frenchman was at fault for the Tykes' 35th-minute leveller. He should have dealt with Jacob Burns's effort from 15 yards but the ball squirmed under his body and rolled into the net.

Trundle must also shoulder a share of the blame for the equaliser since it was his sloppy lay-off that gifted Burns possession in the first place.

Gueret needed to atone for his slip and on the stroke of half-time he did well to palm away Paul Hayes's goalbound effort following a Burns corner.

Akinfenwa had a quiet first half, but he almost restored Swansea's advantage four minutes after the restart.

Man of the match McLeod delivered a wonderful cross from the left, but the powerhouse striker was unable to direct his volley on target.

A minute later Gueret foiled the visitors again. Ex-Manchester City winger Chris Shuker danced into the 18-yard box after evading three defenders, but the man from Saint Claude made a crucial block to make amends for his earlier error.

Now it was Trundle's turn and on 58 minutes he fired the Swans back in front with a stunning David Beckham-style free-kick.

Referee Tanner penalised Kay for a foul on the Swansea striker and Trundle himself took the kick, curling the ball into the top corner of Colgan's net to send the New Stadium wild.

However, seven minutes on and there was a reminder of Barnsley's potent attacking threat, Conlon flicking a Burns free-kick against the post with Gueret beaten.

Andy Robinson, a lively 65th-minute replacement for Britton, almost made it three when he combined with Trundle, but Colgan turned his low shot past the post.

Barnsley gave the home crowd another scare inside the last 10 minutes when substitute striker Danny Nardiello, who had a loan stint at Swansea during Brian Flynn's reign, put the ball in the net after Gueret had saved from Burns, but the effort was disallowed for offside.

The chances of a Tykes comeback was weakened when they were reduced to 10 men for the final six minutes when another of their substitutes, Stephen McPhail, was forced to leave the pitch with what appeared to be concussion.

The Swans had two gilt-edged chances to kill off the Tykes in the closing minutes. First Akinfenwa's header bounced over the woodwork after Trundle had set him up.

Then Akinfenwa turned provider for Trundle. who found himself in a one-on-one with Colgan, but the shot-stopper got a hand to the striker's shot.

But McLeod bagged his second of the game - and his fourth of the season - in added time when he beat Colgan from the edge of the box after the Tykes could only half-clear Robinson's corner.

SWANS goalkeeper Willy Gueret said he "could not believe" referee Mick Russell allowed Walsall's second goal to stand, writes Mario Risoli.

Just four minutes after Adebayo Akinfenwa had fired Swansea 2-1 in front, Gueret and his team-mates were left gobsmacked by Russell's 51st-minute decision which hauled the home side - albeit briefly - back into the contest.

With the ball in his arms after scrambling back to catch Sam Ricketts' back-header, Gueret was bundled over the line by Saddlers striker Jorge Leitao.

The Frenchman expected Russell to award the Swans a free-kick and was left stunned when the Hertfordshire official ruled it was a Gueret own goal.

"I caught the ball and the striker (Leitao) pushed me. When the referee gave a goal I couldn't believe it," said Gueret.

"It was a free-kick all day long. If the game had ended 2-2, I would have been really upset. The way the lads reacted after that was fantastic.

"If the same thing happened with two outfield players the referee would have given a free-kick.

"The Walsall player pushed me. I can't see why I would take the ball over my line. I'm not that stupid.

"Maybe I need to become stronger and do more work in the gym so players can't push me about!

"The referee said to the gaffer (Kenny Jackett) that he was going to give a free-kick, but he followed his assistant who said it was a goal.

"He is the referee. He is the boss on the pitch. I thought he was going to give us a free-kick, but he gave a goal. There's nothing I could do about that.

"It's going to go down as an own goal by me. That's never happened to me before."

Gueret said Russell's verdict was yet another example of the Swans being on the wrong end of officials' decisions.

"At the moment the referees are not giving us any favours. Whatever we do, they give something against us," he moaned.

"We have had stupid sending-offs and now they have awarded this kind of goal. We just have to keep working and do our job.

"It's not easy when something like Walsall's second goal happens. From my point of view, I decided that was the last goal I was going to concede today."

Gueret watched with delight as his team-mates banished the sour taste of the Saddlers' farcical equaliser by firing three goals past Andy Oakes to seal an impressive 5-2 victory.

Swansea City are on the brink of signing Darren Pratley on a four-month loan from Premiership side Fulham. The 21-year-old midfielder was due in Swansea today and was being lined up for a possible role in this afternoon's meeting with Barnsley depending on paperwork being completed in time.

Kenny Jackett had all but given up hope of landing Pratley after Fulham boss Chris Coleman said he wanted the former Craven Cottage reserve-team skipper to go on loan in the Championship.

But with just two days to go before the transfer window shuts for the first time on the Football League, the Swansea manager looks to have finally got his man.

''Everything has been agreed with Fulham and Darren is coming to join us on loan until December 31,'' chairman Huw Jenkins confirmed.

''He was one of Kenny's first targets. We've waited and waited for him and we're very pleased that it appears to have come off at last.

''Darren could be involved against Barnsley if everything is done by noon, otherwise he should join up with the squad on Tuesday.

''We will talk about the possibility of Darren joining us permanently when his loan comes to an end.''

Pratley's imminent arrival adds to the feelgood factor at Swansea following Saturday's sensational 5-2 win at Walsall.

And while the club are still pursuing West Ham's Gavin Williams and Yeovil's Lee Johnson, it was the players already on the books who came to the fore at the Bescot Stadium.

Leon Britton was outstanding as Roberto Martinez, Bayo Akinfenwa, Owain Tudur Jones, Kevin McLeod and Paul Connor all chipped in with goals.

''I've always said I don't mind not scoring,'' said Martinez, whose last strike came at Kidderminster way back in spring 2003.

''If I'm doing the work for other players, it feels like my goal when someone else scores because it's a team game.

''But I think the fact I actually scored one for a change sparked the rest of the lads into action. They all thought they could score if I could, and they did in the second half!''

He added: ''There's been a lot of talk about refereeing decisions in recent weeks and we had something similar with Willy at Walsall.

''But we have shown what we can do with our football and hopefully we can live up to the standards we've set.''

Swansea's owners, meanwhile, have criticised the running of their own New Stadium.

''Against our wishes the stadium ticket office wasn't allowed to be open yesterday for our fans to buy tickets for today's game,'' Jenkins said.

''The stadium management company are there to assist our needs but we don't feel that's happened on this occasion.''

SWANSEA CITY ended a three-match losing streak by ripping Walsall apart with a second-half supershow at the Bescot Stadium that left Saddlers chief Paul Merson stunned.

An amazing match, described by Swansea boss Kenny Jackett as "a great advert for League One", saw Swans skipper Roberto Martinez break his 29-month goalscoring duck and rookie Owain Tudur Jones fire home his first professional goal.

It also produced a contender for most ludicrous goal of the season, referee Mick Russell allowing Walsall's second equaliser to stand even though Saddlers forward Jorge Leitao clearly bundled goalkeeper Willy Gueret over the line.

But Swansea's fury was shortlived as they ripped Merson's Saddlers apart in the second half with attacking football that had Jackett purring afterwards.

"You have to say our games are never boring. They're always full of incident!" smiled the Swans boss.

"We played some quality football and scored some quality goals.

"Like everyone else in the stadium I was surprised Walsall's second goal was given.

"But I don't want to talk about referees after every game. I want to talk about the quality of our football which was excellent today.

"I was very pleased with the incisiveness of our play and the quality of our finishing was terrific."

The Swans were still without striker Lee Trundle who is nursing a tight hamstring while defender Ijah Anderson and midfielder Kris O'Leary were both suspended.

But Jackett was given a boost before kick-off with the news that defender Kevin Austin, who was suffering an ankle problem, had passed a late fitness test.

And the Swans chief could also call on defender Izzy Iriekpen and midfield dynamo Andy Robinson, both back from suspension.

For Robinson, named as a substitute, this was his first taste of League One duty since the Scouser was given a seven-match ban at the end of last season following his dismissal at Bristol Rovers.

Jackett's men arrived in the Black Country on the back of three straight losses but they started this clash brightly and Saddlers' shot-stopper Andy Oakes did well to stop Kevin McLeod's thunderous left-footed strike after five minutes.

The former Everton and Queens Park Rangers winger unleashed a blistering drive from the right side of the penalty box which must have burned Oakes' palms.

Walsall almost snatched the lead eight minutes later, Mark Wright's effort rolling inches wide of Gueret's goal.

But the Swans were ahead within two minutes courtesy of skipper and ex-Saddler Martinez.

The Spaniard, who joined Swansea from Walsall in January 2003, let rip from 25 yards out and his shot flew past Oakes after taking a deflection off Craig Pead.

There was a let-off for Jackett's troops on 20 minutes when Leitao delivered a menacing ball across Gueret's six-yard box which had just a little bit too much pace for Fryatt and Paul Smith.

The action was swinging from one end of the pitch to the other and Paul Connor, deputising for Trundle, had a great chance to double Swansea's lead moments later after Leon Britton sliced open the Saddlers defence with a delightful pass.

The former Rochdale raider had just Oakes to beat but he could only muster a tame shot with his weaker left foot that went straight to the grateful goalkeeper.

Connor would be made to rue that miss because 60 seconds later Russell awarded Walsall a penalty after Iriekpen clumsily brought down danger-man Fryatt. The England Under-19 international striker took the penalty himself and beat Gueret with ease for his third goal of the campaign.

The crossbar saved the Swans just seconds before the break. Chris Westwood met Kris Taylor's inviting free-kick only to see his header smack the woodwork.

Adebayo Akinfenwa ensured the Swans enjoyed the perfect start to the second-half with his third of the season. An error by veteran defender Steve Staunton gifted Swans right-back Alan Tate possession.

He fed Connor whose low centre was tapped home by Akinfenwa, who scored at this venue last term for Torquay.

However, Swansea's joy was again shortlived. Three minutes later Walsall were level courtesy of a farcical goal.

Sam Ricketts headed the ball back to his goalkeeper but it went over Gueret's head. The Frenchman goalkeeper scrambled after it but was bundled over the line by Leitao after gathering the ball.

The Swans were convinced Russell would disallow the goal for a foul on Gueret and award them a free-kick but, to their astonishment, the Hertfordshire official allowed it to stand after consulting his assistant.

That second equaliser might have killed the visitors. Instead Jackett's charges - helped by some atrocious Walsall defending - hit back with a vengeance with three goals in a devastating eight-minute spell.

First former Bangor midfielder Tudur Jones netted on 63 minutes, smashing the ball past Oakes from a tight angle. With the Saddler's defence falling apart, the Swans made it four two minutes later.

The outstanding Britton released McLeod and his shot hit Oakes but the rebound hit the winger before flying into the net.

Swansea completed the rout on 71 minutes with Connor finishing a three-man move in style, side-footing a first-time shot beyond Oakes.

Walsall, now jeered by their own fans, tried to cut the deficit but Gueret made a double-save to deny substitute Michael Standing and then Fryatt.

Crumpled, sliced open and left in a spin beside the M6, Walsall's defenders were not the only ones written off on Saturday night. So too were Swansea City who, despite one of their finest performances on the road in years, were dismissed as League One also-rans by the remarkably frank Paul Merson.

''If Nottingham Forest had come here and done this to us then maybe I could swallow it,'' said Walsall's player-manager.

''But Swansea City are not one of the sides who I think are going to be up there in the division.

''They are just a mid-table team who we've made look good.''

The former Arsenal and England star had emerged with all guns blazing from the wreckage of his team's catastrophic defeat.

Walsall had not lost in 10 league matches before the weekend, but capitulated in spectacular style against a Swansea side who travelled to the Black Country on the back of three straight losses - their worst run in 16 months.

''Our defending was suicidal,'' grumbled Merson.

''I don't think Swansea played well. That's not being horrible, I just feel they took advantage of our bad defence.

''It was like the Keystone Kops out there.''

Merson had a point of sorts. His players had made a mockery of the 'Fortress Bescot' sign which is supposed to strike fear into opposing teams in the tunnel with some dismal attempts at protecting their goal.

But Merson should have dished out some credit to Swansea, too, for some stylish, clinical attacking which he ought to have appreciated.

At least his opposite number, not surprisingly, was in the mood for generous praise.

''We played some cracking football and scored some excellent goals,'' Kenny Jackett enthused.

''Our incisiveness, the quality of our play and the quality of our finishing were big highlights for me.

''It's got to be close to as good as we've been in terms of attacking play since I've been at the club.

''We were terrific and I'm very, very pleased.''

The pendulum had swung in spectacular fashion for the Swansea boss, sent to the stands during the club's last outing at Reading and left bewildered after league defeats by Huddersfield and Doncaster.

He was feeling puzzled once more five minutes into the second half at the Bescot when Willy Gueret scored a freakish, hugely contentious, own goal.

Gueret had to scramble back to retrieve Sam Ricketts's back header. He got to the ball before it crossed the line, then carried it into the net thanks to a nudge from Jorge Leitao.

To Swansea's amazement, this borrowed-from-rugby pushover score was allowed to stand.

''I can't see a reason why I would go into the goal with the ball in my hands,'' observed Gueret. ''I'm not that stupid. It was a free-kick all day long.''

In any normal game, Gueret's contribution to the scoresheet would have been critical.

In this unforgettable contest, the Swansea contingent could almost laugh about it at the end.

Not that they were smiling at the time.

Jackett's men had already lost one lead, handed to them by Roberto Martinez's first goal in nearly two and a half years.

The captain's 25-yarder, helped into the net by a deflection off Craig Pead, was cancelled out when the tricky Matty Fryatt drew a foul from Izzy Iriekpen and converted from the penalty spot.

Home skipper Chris Westwood watched in agony as his header came back off the bar, then again as Alan Tate intercepted Steve Staunton's pass and raced upfield to supply Paul Connor.

He squared to Bayo Akinfenwa, who stroked home his third goal in a Swansea shirt.

The second Welsh lead was even briefer than the first, but the Gueret controversy prompted Leon Britton and Co into their best spell of the afternoon.

In eight glorious minutes, Owain Tudur Jones smashed his first Swansea goal, Kevin McLeod notched his second in a week and Connor, who would not have been playing had Lee Trundle been fit, rounded his fine day off with an excellent fifth.

''It was fantastic to watch,'' Gueret added.

''We were all struggling to believe that their second equaliser had been given and it's not easy when something like that happens.

''Something like that can affect your morale when you've worked so hard to get ahead, so the way the lads responded was superb.''

Away successes like this do not come round that often - there are only three real rivals in the last two decades of Swansea record books.

There was the 5-1 triumph at Kidderminster on Boxing Day last year, but then they were a club already sinking into the Conference.

Before that you have to go back to a 6-4 win at Bradford in 1991 or another 5-1 triumph in the West Midlands, this time over Wolverhampton, way back in 1985.

''It's a massive boost for us,'' Gueret went on.

''A lot of the lads in our squad have not played in this division before, and we were a little bit worried about whether we had the quality to do what the club ask us to do.

''But I do feel that these players can do something big this year, and a win like this proves that.''

For sure, this spectacular third win in five League One outings equals an encouraging start.

But, as Merson would no doubt point out, we are not even in September yet.

WALSALL player-boss Paul Merson last night warned his players they will have to be top form if they are to beat a Swansea side he describes as "a handful."

Merson's Saddlers are in third spot after winning two and drawing two of their first four League One fixtures.

But he is expecting Kenny Jackett's side to provide his charges with a stern test at the Bescot Stadium today.

"Swansea are certainly going to prove a handful. Looking at their squad, they have some talented players," said former Arsenal, Aston Villa and England forward Merson.

"We know we will have to be on our game and displaying plenty of passion and commitment to get any points reward and extend our unbeaten league run.

"Results haven't been so kind to Swansea in the last couple of games, but they are a club on the up and have a fantastic new stadium."

Merson has identified Swansea's forward pairing of Lee Trundle and Adebayo Akinfenwa as the men who could ruin his afternoon.

"Akinfenwa impressed me last year when he was playing for Torquay and he caused us plenty of problems," added Merson.

"Trundle has great touch and plays with no fear. He deserves to be playing at a higher level.

"But, if we play like we did at Crystal Palace on Tuesday, I'm confident we will be victorious."

The 37-year-old - whose one outing this term came in that 3-0 Carling Cup loss at Palace - has a coveted striker of his own.

England Under-19 international Matty Fryatt has netted 18 goals in 30 starts for the Saddlers and was recently the subject of a near £500,000 bid from Nottingham Forest which was rejected by Walsall.

But Merson fears he will lose his 19-year-old goal machine before the transfer window closes on August 31.

"Matty is a natural goalscorer. He is young and he has potential, so it wouldn't surprise me if he leaves," said Merson.

"I thought Forest's bid was quite close to his true value. The closer I get to the window closing, the more I start to panic."

The Saddlers are unbeaten in their last 10 league matches - their last league defeat was at Barnsley on March 28.

Walsall are virtually at full-strength for this match with only long-term absentee Daryl Taylor sidelined.

Swans boss Jackett is not so lucky. He has defender Garry Monk (leg) and Adrian Forbes (knee) lying on the treatment table, while defender Ijah Anderson and midfielder Kris O'Leary are both suspended.

Trundle, who has missed the last two games with a tight hamstring, is "very doubtful" and defender Kevin Austin is nursing an ankle injury with his chances of playing rated at 50-50.

On the positive side, defender Izzy Iriekpen and midfielder Andy Robinson both return from suspension.

The extra-time Carling Cup loss at Reading on Tuesday was Swansea's third straight defeat.

They are enduring their worst run since Jackett's first month in charge, in April 2004, when they lost five in a row.

And the Swans will be looking to halt their losing streak in the Black Country.

"Morale is very good, even though we've lost our last three," said Jackett.

"We can take a lot of heart from a very good performance at Reading. If that was a league game, we would have got a point away from home against a side who are top of the Championship.

"But we've lost three in a row which is our worst run since I first came to the club. We want to eradicate that."

SWANSEA'S transfer-listed defender Andy Gurney has returned to former club Swindon on loan until December 31.

The 31-year-old is back with the Robins just 11 months after leaving the County Ground for Swansea.

The Swans, who are paying a portion of Gurney's wages, are hoping the deal becomes permanent.

KENNY JACKETT has warned his Swansea hotheads to keep their cool this afternoon as they prepare to do battle with high-flying Walsall.

Jackett's men have already collected a staggering three red cards and 15 bookings from their first five matches of the season.

And the unhappy Swansea City boss - himself banished from the dugout during Tuesday's Carling Cup exit at Reading - has told his charges to clean up their act.

Jackett has fined defender Izzy Iriekpen two weeks' wages after he was sent off at Huddersfield for swearing at referee Matt Messias.

And he might hit fellow defender Ijah Anderson with the same punishment after he was dismissed at Reading for two bookable offences.

The former Brentford and Bristol Rovers man saw a red mist for committing fouls on Glenn Little and then Dave Kitson.

"We need to do something about our discipline. As the manager, it's something I take responsibility for," said Jackett.

"We've had three players sent off this season - Kris O'Leary, Izzy Iriekpen and Anderson.

"I felt the red cards for Izzy and Ijah were avoidable. We need to do something about this.

"The ball is in our court. We've got to take responsibility. What happens in the future is down to us.

"I fined Izzy for what he did at Huddersfield and I'll wait for the referee's report before I decide whether to fine Ijah or not.

"I did speak to Ijah after the Reading game. I spoke to him abut putting himself in that situation with the tackle on Kitson when he had already been booked."

Jackett is aware a heavy price is paid whenever one of his players is shown red.

O'Leary was banned for three games after his dismissal for violent conduct in the 3-1 reverse against Huddersfield. Iriekpen was suspended for two games and Anderson one.

"I will get tough with players who are booked or sent off needlessly. I got tough last season and players were fined," added the Swans manager.

"My stance this season won't be any different to last season and players will be fined if they ar booked or sent off for the wrong reasons."

Jackett knows he has to strike a balance between drumming discipline into his players but, at the same time, winding them up so they are prepared to win every tackle.

"Playing competitively and effectively is part of the industry we're in," he explained.

"But there are times where we've got to put the brakes on.

"We should look to close down players without making contact and force them to pass back or square.

"And we must stop arguing with officials. They never changed their mind, so we've got to leave them alone."

On that score Jackett may have learned a personal lesson himself earlier this week when he was banished from the touchline for the first time in his coaching and managerial career.

The former Wales international was ordered out of his dugout at the Madejski Stadium after making comments to the fourth official.

"I didn't speak to the referee or the fourth official after the game, but apparently I was sent off for comments I made to the fourth official about some of the decisions that were made," he said.

"I did have a word with the fourth official, but I was surprised to be sent off. I can't ever remember being sent off before as a coach or manager.

"It will be interesting to see what the referee's report says. Maybe the fourth official felt I was nagging him."

However, there is no question of Jackett fining himself for his misdemeanour in Berkshire. "There have got to be some perks for being the manager," he smiled.

Ironically, one of the players who incurred Jackett's wrath last season because of his poor disciplinary record is back for today's clash in the West Midlands.

Andy Robinson has missed the start of the 2005-06 campaign after being hit with a seven-match ban at the end of last season.

The Swans midfielder was given a mammoth suspension

after picking up his second red card of the season at Bristol Rovers and then refusing to leave the pitch straight away.

But the 25-year-old has served his time and is available for selection again for the trip to Bescot Stadium.

"It has been killing me watching from the stands, I want to get back into the action," said Robinson, who last played for the Swans in the FAW Premier Cup win over Wrexham last May.

"It's felt like a lifetime since I last played, and I've missed it. I was getting down and depressed because I wasn't playing.

"I've had a good pre-season. I need to build up my match-fitness but I'm fit and ready to go.

"Whether I start or come off the bench, I want to make an impact and do well because I want to get that shirt back and keep it for the season."

SWANSEA CITY have had a £100,000 bid for Yeovil midfielder Lee Johnson turned down.
And Swans boss Kenny Jackett admitted it was unlikely that the League One club will sign West Ham's Wales midfielder Gavin Williams on loan.

Jackett wants to make Johnson, who scored 11 goals for Yeovil last term to help the Glovers lift the Division Two title, his fourth signing of the summer.

The Somerset club have turned down Swansea's offer even though the player, son of Yeovil chief Gary Johnson, is in his final year at Huish Park and could leave on a Bosman free transfer next summer.

"We have made a bid for Lee Johnson, but it has been rejected," revealed Jackett yesterday.

"We'll have to see where we go from here. We have to decide whether we improve our offer or whether we try and talk to Yeovil again.

"This is something we have to think about. I'll speak to the chairman (Huw Jenkins) and then we can make a decision."

Swansea said the £100,000 fee would be paid in instalments, but Yeovil are reluctant to lose one of their best players.

Jackett knows Johnson well since he worked with the player at Watford when he was a coach at Vicarage Road.

The playmaker joined Yeovil in July 2001 and has been a key figure in their rise from the Conference to League One in the last three years.

"Lee has got a year left on his contract at Yeovil, but he was voted their player of the year last season so I'm surprised he is available," he added.

"He scored 11 goals last season and Yeovil won League Two but these things happen."

Jackett also wants to bring in former Yeovil man Williams on loan. But he is not optimistic about his chances of luring the Hammers' £250,000 signing to the New Stadium - the venue where Williams won his first Welsh cap last week in the 0-0 draw against Slovenia.

"We have made inroads into trying to bring Gavin here, but this one looks like it's going to be difficult," explained Jackett, who wants to bolster his depleted squad ahead of tomorrow's trip to Walsall.

"He's Welsh and he won his first cap in our stadium, although I'm not sure if the lad wants to come to Swansea or not.

"But West Ham are telling us that if Gavin goes out on loan they want it to be with a Championship club."

Jackett can pick defender Izzy Iriekpen and midfielder Andy Robinson for the Bescot Stadium clash, both are back from suspension, the latter completing a seven-match ban which began towards the end of last season after his dismissal at Bristol Rovers.

But forward Adrian Forbes is ruled out for another two-three weeks with a knee problem and centre-back Garry Monk is sidelined with a bad leg.

Andy Gurney could join Swindon on loan. The Swans defender, transfer listed at the end of last season, yesterday trained with the Wiltshire outfit.

Yeovil Town midfielder Lee Johnson has been targeted by Swansea City. The Swans have made an enquiry with a view to tabling a substantial cash offer for the playmaker and the Glovers are set to seriously consider the move.

Johnson is out of contract next summer and will be over the age of 24 and so could leave Huish Park on a Bosman free transfer.

Swansea, with the increased gate receipts from their new stadium, can comfortably gazump any offer Yeovil could make to the former Arsenal youngster.

Manager Gary Johnson is understandably reluctant to lose one of his best players regardless of the fact that Lee is his son.

He said: "We have had contact from the Swansea chairman, who has expressed his interest in Lee.

"The player at this stage is not involved and of course everyone wants to know what is going on.

"We are still talking to Swansea about it and nothing has happened yet.

"At this club we do everything the right way so we will consider their offer and decide whether to accept it."

If Johnson does depart, Yeovil may have to move for a replacement before the August 31 transfer deadline.

Paul Terry could step in for Johnson but he and Darren Way are the only other specialist central midfielders at the club.

Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins today insisted that Lee Trundle is going nowhere. Swansea City's star striker has been linked with a move to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday this week, but Jenkins insists that last season's top scorer is staying at The New Stadium .

With only four days until the close of the transfer window, the Owls are reportedly lining up a bid for the Swansea hitman.

But Jenkins said: "We have never had any approach or offer for Lee. The last thing we want to do is let our better players leave.

"With it so close to the close of the transfer window you do get all sorts of rumours flying about and that is what this is - a rumour."

Meanwhile, Swansea are still in talks with League One rivals Swindon Town about allowing transfer-listed defender Andy Gurney to return to the County Ground.

The former Bristol Rovers defender was placed on the transfer list at the end of last season by Kenny Jackett and the Robins are trying to bring the 31-year-old back to club he left for Swansea last September.

"We are talking to Swindon about a couple of things about Andy Gurney and we hope to know soon.''

Garry Monk has a simple message for his Swansea City team-mates following the club's third red card of the season: ''We need to be more careful.'' The 26-year-old defender, who is currently sidelined with a calf injury, saw more than his fair share of red last season - Monk was sent off at Yeovil Town, Shrewsbury Town and Mansfield Town.

Ijah Anderson became the third member of Kenny Jackett's squad to be dismissed this season following a second bookable offence during the 3-1 first round Carling Cup defeat at Reading.

With Kris O'Leary coming to an end of a three-match ban on Saturday and Monk's central defensive partner Izzy Iriekpen completing his two-game ban on Tuesday -both sent off on a dismal afternoon in Huddersfield - Monk feels that he and his team-mates need to be more careful away from home.

"It seems that we are punished more when we go away from home," Monk said.

"The referee appears to be a little more lenient towards the home team, but we have had that work for us in the past quite a few times at the Vetch."

But while Swansea appear to be collecting more cards than Clinton's - 15 yellows and three reds from five games this term - there can be no getting away from the fact that their problems do come when they are away from the comforts of home.

Only two of the Swansea bookings this year have come at the New Stadium, while all the red cards have been away from home.

Last term seven of the eight sendings-off were away from the Vetch - Lee Trundle's red card at home to Rochdale was later overturned on appeal - while only 28 of the 81 cautions occurred on home soil.

"Maybe we have to think a little more when we go away," Monk said.

"When we would usually go in aggressively for tackle maybe we need to think about it.

"But it is a split-second decision and you have to stay competitive. If a you take that away sometimes a player is not half the player he usually is.

"We are not a dirty side, but I think referees are looking at us a bit more so we need to be careful."

Having limped off at half-time on the opening day of the season in the 1-0 win over Tranmere Rovers with a dead leg, Monk has now been hit by calf injury which kept him out of last Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Doncaster Rovers.

During his time out the player, who picked up three reds and three yellows last term, has had to look on and see some of his colleagues dismissed he feels harshly.

"I think some of the lads have been really unlucky," Monk added.

"Some of the decisions have been shocking and you think to yourself how the hell did they come to make them.

"Kris (Kristian O' Leary) was really unlucky with his sending-off. We watched the video and he never took his eyes off the ball."

Swansea, meanwhile, have rearranged their game at MK Dons for Tuesday, September 13 (7.45pm).

TO say Swansea City's new signing Adebayo Akinfenwa has had a chequered career would be something of an understatement.
He's had six clubs, played Champions League and Uefa Cup football and escaped teenage troubles by spending two eye-opening years in Lithuania... and he's still only 23.

So it was no surprise the former Barry Town striker - who has spent the past two years criss-crossing the country for spells at Boston, Leyton Orient, Rushden and Doncaster - expressed a desire to find some stability after completing his move to Swansea yesterday.

"Everyone's got a story - it's just that mine is longer than most," said Akinfenwa, after leaving relegated Torquay for the lure of a two-year Swansea contract.

"I've had quite a few clubs - three within three months at one point - but I think a lot of them didn't want to take a risk on me because I was a novice and people didn't know much about me.

"Torquay gave me 12 months to prove myself and the aim for me now is to prove last year wasn't a freak season.

"I'm looking forward to settling down at Swansea and moving as high up the league with them as I can. I hope I can find a niche here."

Akinfenwa, who struck 14 league goals last season in a struggling Torquay side, said one of the main factors that swayed his decision to come to Swansea was the familiar face of boss Kenny Jackett.

The London-born striker was on the youth books at Watford when Jackett was coaching at Vicarage Road and, though it may have been only six years ago, the religious Akinfenwa has packed in quite a bit since they last worked together.

He explained, "Growing up in the depths of Walthamstow in east London, I got caught up with the wrong crowd and as a young footballer my professionalism just wasn't there.

"There were lots of little things... I wouldn't turn up for training, that sort of thing, and I had to get away from that. I had to grow up.

"And that was when the move to Lithuania came about. My agent at the time was married to a Lithuanian woman whose brother knew the manager of a team called FK Atlantas.

"After coming to watch me at Watford, he offered me a two-week trial and after three days I was offered a contract.

"It was hard because I was only 18. It was a bit of a culture shock. I had a lot of racial abuse, which is hard when you come from a metropolitan city like London where there are lots of different cultures.

"I had 11-year-old girls screaming 'white power' in my face, which makes you sit up and take notice.

"But you either let them win or you overcome it and, with my family and my faith in God, I overcame it."

There were also some pleasant and highly memorable moments for Akinfenwa during his foreign sojourn.

He said, "I played two seasons in the Uefa Cup for Atlantas. One year we played Rapid Bucharest, who lost 1-0 to Liverpool the previous season.

"There were 40,000 fans there. You come out on to the pitch to the Uefa Cup music and you kind of think, 'I've arrived!'

"My first year there was a killer - though it helped that I made friends with a Japanese international - but at the end of it we won the Lithuanian cup final 1-0 and I scored the only goal.

"From there it was happy days. It was the first thing FK had ever won. I was held up as a kind of miniature version of David Beckham in the city.

From hardships to triumphs!

"Going out there was a great experience. It helped me grow up as a person and as a footballer.

"When I hear people say, 'He's a London guy, he can't live away from London.' I'm thinking, 'I lived in Lithuania for two years!' Anywhere in the UK is a walk in the park after that."

After returning to Britain, Akinfenwa pitched up at Barry Town, spending 15 months with the Jenner Park club during their Welsh Premier and Champions League heyday - "I enjoyed myself at Barry. We did the Welsh league and cup double, we played in the Champions League. It got my confidence up."

Then came the whistle-stop tour at those remote Football League locations, before he was handed a 12-month chance on the south Devon coast last summer.

Akinfenwa's departure from Plainmoor was acrimonious, Gulls chairman Mike Bateson publicly accusing him of reneging on an agreement to discuss a new contract.

But the big striker, whose transfer fee from Plainmoor to Morfa will be decided by tribunal, said it was simply that a misunderstanding occurred.

He said, "Before I had a chance to speak to the chairman to clear things up, he called me unprofessional in the press. I thought that was unprofessional of him.

"But I've got no ill will against Torquay and I wish them well. My time there is in the past now. My future's with Swansea."

So what can Swans fans expect from Lee Trundle's new strike partner?

"Many, many goals, I hope," he says. "The fans will see that I don't like to lose and I don't like to give the ball away. I'm a winner - they'll see that too and I hope they'll take to me.

"A lot of my game is based on strength - there aren't many people who could push me around - so I'll leave Lee Trundle to do the tricks. It'll be the Little and Large show."

Swansea City are in talks with Yeovil Town over a six-figure deal for midfielder Lee Johnson. And chairman Huw Jenkins is optimistic of landing the talented 24-year-old before Fifa's transfer window shuts for the first time on the Football League at the end of the month.

Boss Kenny Jackett wants Johnson to team up with former Yeovil team-mate Gavin Williams, now at West Ham, in a new-look Swansea midfield.

And it seems the 5ft 6in creator is keen on a surprise departure from Huish Park, where he has been a regular for the last two seasons - he was named in the League Two team of the year last term - and dad Gary is the manager.

''It's all happened very quickly,'' Jenkins said.

''We never really considered it because we thought he was very secure at Yeovil, but things have changed. Lee would like to progress his career elsewhere as soon as he can and we are reasonably hopeful that a deal can be done.

''I have had discussions with the Yeovil chairman and we are in the process of trying to agree a fee.''

Swansea want Johnson and Williams - who could arrive on loan - to spruce up their squad after a 3-1 extra-time reverse in the Carling Cup first round at Reading made it three straight defeats.

To compound the visitors' misery, Ijah Anderson became the third Swansea player to be red-carded this season after picking up two bookings while Jackett was sent to the stands for complaining to the fourth official.

''It's disappointing to get another red card and I've already spoken to Ijah,'' Jackett said.

''For all his enthusiasm to want to be the left-back at this club, he has to put the brakes on once he has got one yellow card.''

The Swansea manager is unsure whether he will be in hot water over his own dismissal, and instead turned attentions to the Bank Holiday weekend double-header against Walsall and Barnsley.

While Anderson will be suspended for at least one game, Kevin Austin is a fitness doubt after leaving the field with an ankle injury last night.

Andy Robinson and Izzy Iriekpen both return from bans on Saturday, while Garry Monk has a chance of featuring after pulling a calf last week. But there are still major concerns over Lee Trundle and Adrian Forbes (both hamstring) as Swansea bid to return to winning ways.

''We can take a lot from the Reading performance, and I've said to the players that sometimes things just don't go for you in football,'' Jackett added.

''We won promotion and the FAW Premier Cup last year and we just have to get through this tricky period.''

Andy Gurney is being tipped for a return to former club Swindon after failing to feature even on the bench at the Madejski Stadium.

His team out of the Carling Cup, another player red-carded and sent to the stands himself, it was remarkable that Kenny Jackett found time for a gag. Maybe it was a case of laughing rather than crying for the Swansea City boss.

''There have got to be some perks for being the manager,'' Jackett said through a smile, ''and I certainly won't be fining myself.''

He had been invited to leave the Madejski Stadium's away dugout seven minutes from the end of a difficult night for the visitors.

With his team trailing, Jackett had already grumbled about the failure of Reading's ball boys to do their jobs promptly whenever the time came for a Swansea throw-in.

His ear already bent, the fourth official had heard enough when Leon Britton tumbled under Ibrahima Sonko's challenge leaving the Welsh contingent shouting for a penalty.

Now fourth officials are one of football's mysteries, given that they have no obvious role other than to irritate managers.

Roles were reversed here, and Mr Desmond summoned referee Keith Stroud to the touchline to exile Jackett to the Madejski's main stand.

''I did complain to the fourth official about the multi-ball system,'' Jackett admitted.

''And then I was sent from the dugout for appealing for a penalty. I asked the young gentleman very politely if he could have a word with the referee about the decision.

''I'm very passionate about my football and I'm very passionate about my club.

''I ended up watching the game from down the tunnel on the big screen. It was a bit strange, really, because there was a five-second delay, so I could hear the cheers of the fans before I knew what had happened.''

He knew there was bad news to come, then, when the paltry home crowd rose to acclaim Leroy Lita's 114th-minute goal which finally put an end to the contest.

Reading were way ahead on points by that stage, and in truth the knockout blow should have come much earlier.

As it was, Swansea could be pleased with their gallant defeat given the absence of half a dozen frontline players through injury and suspension, plus the loss of Kevin Austin to an ankle injury at the midway point of normal time.

And then there was Austin's replacement, Ijah Anderson, who was sent off in the last five minutes of the 90 after an ill-advised tackle on Dave Kitson.

Though he got some of the ball, Anderson could have few complaints about his second yellow card after leaping into the challenge from behind.

His first booking was much less clear cut, the slightest of collisions with Glenn Little arguably not even meriting a free-kick.

''I'm struggling to remember the first one,'' added Jackett.

Perhaps he was a little frazzled by the night's events, or maybe the latest rash of Swansea bookings had become something of a blur.

For this was an evening when Hampshire-official Stroud had been the overzealous one, not Jackett's players.

''I haven't got any complaints about the referee,'' Jackett claimed surprisingly.

But he went on: ''You guys have seen the game. These things seem to go on at the start of the season when referees have got new directives.

''It then gets to a point around October and everything dies down.''

For all their disciplinary problems in recent times, Swansea were to an extent harshly treated on this occasion.

Reading collected some needless cards, too, and Jackett's sentiments were echoed by opposite number Steve Coppell.

''There wasn't a great deal of physical contact allowed,'' he said.

''There were no vendettas out there, no really malicious challenges, and yet looking at the card count it seems like World War III.

''Referees are very unforgiving at this time of year. As we've seen in the Premiership, where supposedly the best referees are, mistakes are being made because of the desire to lay down the summer laws.''

Another Swansea game, another night when the man with the whistle diverted attention from the 22 players - or for the last 35 minutes 21 - concentrating on the ball.

As in the FA Cup last season, Swansea left Berkshire with pride intact.

The Royals, leading the Championship at present, were always on the throne, but their League One opponents, using a 4-5-1 formation, at least gave them something to think about.

The home side took an early lead when Kevin Doyle flicked on goalkeeper Graham Stack's punt and Kitson lobbed the stranded Willy Gueret.

They should have killed Swansea off - Kitson crashed a header against the bar and Steve Sidwell had a more accurate effort ruled out for offside as Gueret's goal came under attack in the second half.

But Bayo Akinfenwa, looking a shrewder acquisition with each game he plays, gave Coppell's defence plenty of trouble and punished their wastefulness by heading the equaliser from Anderson's cross 10 minutes from the end.

That prompted the arrival of £1.3million summer acquisition Lita from the bench and, with Swansea a man light, the outcome of extra-time was entirely predictable.

Kitson rounded Gueret for 2-1 before the Championship's answer to Chelsea's expensive substitutes slid home.

''It took them a while to overcome us,'' Jackett pointed out, ''and I think we put in a very creditable performance.''

Nearly 600 travelling fans agreed, giving the 10 men a standing ovation at the end.

WALSALL TICKETS

There is room available on coaches for Swans fans wanting to go to Walsall on Saturday. Bookings are being taken at the club shop and entry to the game is via payment at the turnstiles. For the Bank Holiday Monday clash with Barnsley at The New Stadium (3pm), the stadium ticket office is open from 11.30am to 7.30pm each weekday.

Phone bookings can be made during the same hours, although the office is expecting to be busy on Friday ahead of the Ospreys v Wasps game.

Internet bookings can be made at any time, and tickets can be bought on matchday from the ticket office.

Swansea City hope to sign two new midfielders this week - but fear Gavin Williams's proposed move from West Ham may be blocked by Alan Pardew. Kenny Jackett is desperate to strengthen his squad with just eight days to go before the transfer window closes on the Coca-Cola League.

The Swansea boss thought he might be close to snaring Williams after Pardew indicated that he would let the former Yeovil man go out on loan.

But the West Ham manager has indicated he would prefer Williams to try his luck in the Championship, leaving Swansea wondering if another long-term target has slipped through their hands.

Lengthy pursuits of potential midfield recruits like Andy Burgess, of Rushden & Diamonds, and Fulham's Darren Pratley have proved fruitless already this summer.

Swansea have not given up hope of landing Williams, though, with chairman Huw Jenkins maintaining: "We will keep pursuing it.

"Gavin wants to come to us and we want to sign him. The only stumbling block is Alan Pardew.

"He has said the player can go out on loan somewhere, but he has made it known to us that he would like him to play for a Championship side.

"A lot of Premiership sides think like that - they want to see what the players might be able to do for them in the future. It's a similar case to the one we had with Darren Pratley and Fulham.

"We think West Ham are going to make a final decision this week and, until he signs for someone else, nothing will be dead and buried as far as we're concerned."

After consecutive defeats, Jenkins added: "We know we need to strengthen and hopefully we'll get a couple in this week."

Swansea City's trip to MK Dons on September 2 has been postponed because of international call-ups. Sam Ricketts, Owain Tudur Jones and Mark Pritchard are all involved with the Welsh squads taking on England, so a new date must be agreed by the clubs.

Swansea fans can pay on the gate at Reading tonight and at Walsall on Saturday, while tickets for next Monday's home game with Barnsley are selling well.

The official travel club still have spaces for Walsall. For information call 07876 133428.

Steve Coppell is refusing to take Swansea City's visit to the Madejski Stadium lightly. Not after last season, when Kenny Jackett's side came within minutes of a major FA Cup shock.

The Reading boss has got his side firing early this season - they have netted eight times in their last two games as they soared to the top of the Championship - but having been taken to extra time by Swansea in an FA Cup replay last season, he is erring on the cautious side.

"I think playing Swansea last year will be a good thing," said Coppell. "It will make us more alert and we will not take the game lightly."

Reading are expected to field a strong squad against Kenny Jackett's men tonight, with their £1.3million hitman Leroy Lita likely to be in the starting XI.

Lita has hit the ground running since his move from Bristol City during the summer and the England Under-21 striker has scored three goals in Reading's four games.

The Royals have taken nine points from their opening 12 and Coppell is determined to maintain their impressive form.

"There is a winning mentality we want to keep going and we will be taking this game seriously," he added.

While the majority of the side that hammered Millwall 5-0 at the weekend will play, Wales midfielder John Oster is likely to start having sat on the bench on Saturday.

"I think he (Coppell) will change things around for this game," Oster said.

"It is a chance for players on the fringes to make a name for themselves.

"I'm hoping I can take this chance and get in the manager's mind.

"But you have to perform - mediocrity is no good - we can't take Swansea lightly."

Paul Connor aims to prove a point to his manager tonight when he fills Lee Trundle's boots in round one of the Carling Cup. In a sense whatever he achieves on Swansea City's return to Reading will be something of a bonus given that Kenny Jackett was ready to wave goodbye to Connor over the summer.

When Darlington enquired about Brian Flynn's last Swansea signing, Connor hoped they would be told a definite no.

Instead Jackett settled on an undisclosed package with Darlo boss Dave Hodgson, and it was only the 6ft 1in striker's failure to agree personal terms which prevented the move.

Now Connor, brought up in Bishop Auckland, is intent on working his way back into Jackett's affections, with a first opportunity coming in Trundle's absence at the Madejski Stadium this evening.

"The money Darlington were offering was a bit less, but that wasn't the big issue as to why I didn't leave," says Connor in his North East lilt.

"A lot of people talked about me going home to where I grew up, but I wasn't particularly bothered about that either.

"I've settled in Swansea now and I'm happy here.

"The main thing was that we'd just got promotion and I really wanted to stay."

Jackett's willingness to let the 26-year-old leave rankled with a player who contributed 13 goals to the cause last season despite being substituted in more than half the games he played.

When time on the pitch and penalties were factored in, in fact, his strike rate was not that far behind Trundle's.

"It was disappointing knowing that I could go," Connor concedes, "but that's in the past now.

"The manager has told me that I can stay and fight for my place and that's good enough for me.

"Now I just have to try to relax and take my chance tonight."

The call comes after Marc Goodfellow struggled to make an impact as a central frontman in the home defeat to Doncaster Rovers over the weekend.

While Trundle continues to struggle with a hamstring injury, Connor will partner Bayo Akinfenwa - the summer signing who has nudged him down the pecking order this season.

"Bayo's a good player and I think we can play alongside each other," reckons Connor.

"With Lee struggling a bit, there's a chance I could get a little run in the side and that's all I can ask for really.

"I knew I would be doing some time on the bench when I turned down the Darlington move so I haven't really been down or anything.

"I've been patient and I've worked hard to get back in.

"Now it's up to me to take this opportunity."

Tonight's testing trip along the M4 may not offer a string of chances to the frontmen - Swansea are bracing themselves for an evening spent largely on the backfoot against a Reading side setting the early pace in the Championship.

More important, really, will be the League One fixtures against Walsall and Barnsley over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Though his time at former club Rochdale was spent exclusively in the Football League basement, Connor does have form in the third tier.

"I scored goals at Stoke and at Cambridge in this division, so I don't see why I shouldn't do it again for Swansea," he asserts.

"To be honest I was disappointed with the 13 I got last season. Every forward wants to score 20, and that's something I believe I'm capable of given a fair chance."

One of last year's strikes, of course, came 32 minutes into Swansea's FA Cup third-round tie at the Madejski back in January.

For a long time Connor's goal had looked like causing one of the upsets of the round, but Ivar Ingimarsson broke Swansea hearts with an 88th-minute equaliser.

In a replay which attracted the Sky cameras, Jackett's men gave the Royals another mighty scare before succumbing to Nicky Forster's extra-time winner.

"We defended really well up there and then we created quite a few chances in the second game," Connor recalls.

"To end up losing was a big disappointment, but we all remember giving them a fright and we will try to do the same again tonight."

Swansea City have been rocked by the news that Lee Trundle could miss their next three matches as they count heads for tonight's Carling Cup trip to Reading. Trundle definitely sits out at the Madejski Stadium and is also rated very doubtful for the Bank Holiday weekend league fixtures with Walsall and Barnsley.

Garry Monk (calf) and Adrian Forbes (hamstring) also remain on Kenny Jackett's injured list, while Kris O'Leary, Izzy Iriekpen and Andy Robinson are all suspended for this evening's first-round tie.

That means Swansea take on the early-season Championship leaders with the same depleted squad which lost to Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.

Jackett is poised to make one change to his XI, with Paul Connor set to dislodge Marc Goodfellow for his first start since rejecting a summer move to Darlington.

"Paul nearly left, but he is in there fighting with everyone else and he is doing it well," Jackett said. "I thought he looked sharp when he came on against Doncaster."

Connor, coincidentally, was Swansea's goalscorer when they drew 1-1 at Reading in round three of the FA Cup back in January.

"We did very well in that game and actually improved in the replay even though we lost," Jackett added. "We acquitted ourselves well and that's what we'll aim to do once again.

"We're missing a number of players, but we'll put out our strongest possible line-up and go with a positive attitude."

Reading boss Steve Coppell is also poised to field a powerful side, with star strikers Leroy Lita and Dave Kitson tipped to play.

The Royals have made a flying start to the new season, winning three out of three and scoring 10 goals with none in reply since losing to Plymouth on the opening day.

And Jackett admitted: "I think they've moved on since we played them last season.

"It's the same strong base of a side, but they have Kitson fit again and they have spent £1.3million on Lita. As a result they are top of the Championship.

"They were not far away last year when you think about it, but they are really flying now."

While injuries continue to hamper his plans in the opening weeks of the season, there was some good news for Jackett today.

Iriekpen has received a two-match ban for his red card at Huddersfield rather than the three-match lay-off Swansea had anticipated, so he will return at the Bescot Stadium this weekend.

A FEW weeks ago it looked as if Swansea striker Paul Connor was heading for the exit door.

Boss Kenny Jackett had deemed the 26-year-old surplus to requirements after signing Adebayo Akinfenwa and Connor returned to his native north east to discuss a move to Darlington.

But the proposed transfer fell through and Connor, viewed as dispensable despite hitting 13 goals for the Swans last term, stayed on in South Wales to fight for his Swansea future.

A blessing in disguise, perhaps, as Connor, whose 26-minute substitute appearance on Saturday was his first taste of competitive action this season, comes in from the wilderness tonight to lead the Swans attack in the Carling Cup trip to Reading.

And, with Lee Trundle likely to be out injured for at least the next two matches, the man from Bishop Auckland hopes to give Jackett a selection headache - firstly by repeating last season's FA Cup heroics.

"I've obviously got good memories of Reading after scoring there in the FA Cup match in January," said Connor, whose goal looked like being enough to cause an upset before the Royals cruelly hit back at the death.

"Hopefully I can make that kind of impression again. That's certainly the aim because this is a great chance for me to get my place back. I knew competition for places would be fierce this season so I haven't been getting too down about it. I've just been patient and waited for my chance to come along.

"I could've left Swansea in the summer, but I didn't want to.

"Darlington offered me a little less money than I'm on here, but to be honest there were a number of reasons the move didn't come off. It just wasn't right for me. I got promoted with Swansea last season, and even though I knew it would be tough getting into the side, I really wanted to stay.

"Of course I was disappointed that the club opened the door for me to leave in the first place.

"But it's in the past now. The manager's told me I can stay and fight for my place and that's good enough for me."

The bad news for Swansea is that Trundle could miss the Bank Holiday weekend encounters against Walsall and Barnsley with a hamstring tear.

Trundle's misfortune could be Connor's gain, though, with the likelihood that Marc Goodfellow will drop out of the side after playing up front in the 2-1 defeat against Doncaster.

"It would be fantastic if I could have a bit of a run in the side and score a few goals to give the manager something to think about," Connor said.

"Any player would expect to stay in the side if they play well, but that's the manager's decision.

"I certainly think I can perform in League One, though. I've scored goals in this league before for Cambridge and Stoke so I don't see why not.

"First I've just got to focus on relaxing and playing well against Reading. There could be a run in the side and that's all I can ask."

Connor struck 32 minutes into last season's third round clash at the Madejski Stadium before Ivar Ingimarsson broke Swansea hearts with an 88th equaliser to force a replay.

The former Rochdale striker couldn't find the net in the Vetch Field rematch, which the Royals shaded 1-0 in extra time despite another gallant effort from the Swans.

And, even though Reading sit on top of the Championship pile after demolishing Millwall 5-0, Connor believes Jackett's men can go one better and conquer them this time.

"We played well in our two games against them last season and I don't see why we can't give them another run for their money," he said.

"They've got more or less the same team so I think we can do well.

"If we can defend like we know we can and hit them on the break, we're capable of causing an upset."

ONE arrived at a cost of £1m, the other struck 19 goals last season - no wonder Kenny Jackett has told his players they must shackle Leroy Lita and Dave Kitson if they are to prosper at Reading tonight.

Lita became the Berkshire club's record signing when he made his six-figure move from Bristol City this summer, while Kitson took little time to establish himself as one of the Championship's deadliest finishers after joining the club from Cambridge United in late 2003.

Given the fact neither striker was in Steve Coppell's line-up when Swansea met them in last season's FA Cup (Kitson was injured) it's understandable Jackett is warning his side to expect a tougher test when the two sides meet again in the first round of the Carling Cup.

"We acquitted ourselves very well in both our games against Reading, but they've moved on since then," said the Swans boss.

"They've got pretty much the same team, barring Lita and Kitson - and their presence means we could be facing a harder match than the ones we had against them in January.

"Kitson was doing very well for them before he got injured last season and the investment in Lita has helped Reading to step on.

"What we have to do is stop the service into those two players. Quite often a forward is as good as the service he receives so we've got to cut off the supply lines."

Swansea fell at the first hurdle in the competition last term, suffering a miserable 3-0 defeat at Queens Park Rangers.

Jackett is confident there will be no repeat, even if Reading's 5-0 thrashing of Millwall at the weekend might have stirred a few nerves within the Swansea camp.

"They've made a cracking start to the season and I noticed that four of their five goals against Millwall were from set-pieces," Jackett said.

"But, as I said, we played well against them in both matches last season and we've got to go there positively.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for us and generally my players do rise to these occasions.

"Since I've been here they've seen something in the cup competitions and relished playing against teams from higher divisions.

"This is another challenge that I'm sure they'll rise to."

Izzy Iriekpen and Kris O'Leary are still suspended, while Lee Trundle, Garry Monk and Adrian Forbes remain on the treatment table.

Paul Connor for Marc Goodfellow is likely to be the only change to the side that lost 2-1 against Doncaster on Saturday.

Kevin McLeod heads for Reading tomorrow hoping his first Swansea City goal will revive his career. The former Everton winger's maiden strike was the major plus point as Kenny Jackett's side lost a competitive game at The New Stadium for the first time against Doncaster on Saturday.

Now McLeod, who admits he has under-achieved since arriving from Queens Park Rangers in February, has fingers crossed that better times lie ahead.

''It's not just about proving things to the gaffer, it's about doing things for myself,'' he said.

''When I think about the levels I have dropped in the last two or three years, I realise I need to start halting things because I'm going down.

''Swansea is a big enough club to go places with and now it's down to me to do it.

''I feel as though this my last chance to do something and, now that I've set my stall out, I can hopefully keep things going through the season.''

McLeod's 43rd-minute header capped his finest display in a Swansea shirt, the 24-year-old finally realising some of his potential. But he is aware that he faces competition for a starting spot in tomorrow night's Carling Cup opener at the Madejski Stadium from summer signing Marc Goodfellow, while Andy Robinson's return from suspension next weekend will only add to the pressure.

''All I can do is try to stay fit and stay sharp,'' McLeod went on.

''I felt that was my best performance - the fact that I've finally got myself fit meant that I got involved more and kept my concentration.

''I've shown some of what I can do, now I need a couple more games to show the fans what I'm really about.''

McLeod added: ''My girlfriend, Catherine, comes to watch every game I play normally but she couldn't come to this one because she had to work.

''She said she thought I'd score and to get the goal is a relief. It's a real boost for the confidence.''

The result had the opposite effect, as Doncaster put another dent in Swansea's armour after their 3-1 beating at Huddersfield nine days ago.

In fact, Jackett's men looked good for a third win of the campaign at times and would have been celebrating victory had Sam Ricketts's shot not come back off a post early in the second half.

But then a home side lacking six frontline players began to fade and strikes from Dave Mulligan and Lewis Guy in the closing 16 minutes turned the scoreline on its head.

''It's like a kick where it hurts most after we played well and worked so hard,'' McLeod admitted.

''But it's not as if we're playing Arsenal and getting the runaround every week. We're right up with these teams and we still believe we can make a mark.''

Swansea's cause at Reading could be aided by the return of Lee Trundle, a late withdrawal over the weekend with a hamstring strain, but Garry Monk (calf) and Adrian Forbes (hamstring) both look like missing out once more.

It is hard to stay positive when you spend most of your time on the bench, but that is exactly what Ijah Anderson is trying to do. The former Tottenham Hotspur trainee has found life pretty frustrating in South Wales following his move from Bristol Rovers last November.

Nine starts and eight run-outs as a substitute was hardly the kind of activity the Hackney-born defender was hoping for when he made his move across the Severn Bridge.

"There are no positives when you are not in the side and I'm disappointed not to be playing," Anderson said.

"But the way I look at it is that when I get up in the morning, I go to work to make myself a better player.

"I do believe that I'm a good player and I hope that one day people here will see that too."

Having launched his career in North London training alongside England defender Sol Campbell, Anderson left White Hart Lane for the Essex coast to join Southend United.

But after one season with the Shrimpers, Anderson made the switch back to London with Brentford.

It was during his time at Griffin Park that the then 19-year-old left-back enjoyed his best spell in football.

Nearly 250 appearances for the Bees followed in eight years before he headed out of London again.

Anderson got on the M4 and headed to Wycombe for a month before travelling west for a three-month loan spell at Bristol Rovers.

He ended up making the move to Rovers' Memorial Ground a permanent one.

And one year later Anderson was back on the M4 and heading further west to Swansea to sign a two-year contract.

Twelve months into his time in South Wales and he is still battling to become a first-team regular at The New Stadium Swansea.

But Anderson does face stiff competition for his place on the left of Kenny Jackett's back four.

Powerhouse Kevin Austin - his former Bristol Rovers team-mate - and Wales international Sam Ricketts are ahead of him in Jackett's pecking order, but Anderson believes he is good enough to make that place his own.

"All I can do is wait for my chance," he said, "because I feel that if I get regular football people will see my true ability.

"If there was anything more I can do I would do it."

With Jackett's squad hit by injuries and suspensions, Anderson may get his chance soon after making his first appearance of the season at Huddersfield last weekend as a half-time replacement for Marc Goodfellow.

Although Anderson will grab any opportunity that crops up, it is not the way the 29-year-old would like to force his way into the team.

"I wish that it didn't have to come down to injuries and suspensions," he added. "I believe that I'm good enough to be playing regardless of that.

"I'm fit and I look after my body and all Ijah Anderson can do is his best."

During the pre-season Anderson felt he had done enough to figure more in Jackett's plans.

"I felt that I would have featured more than I have by now," he said.

"I'm used to being at a club where if you are playing well enough then you keep the shirt and if your form dips then you are out of the team.

"But all I can do is keeping doing my best in training, continue to believe in my ability and hopefully the gaffer will give me my chance.

"I have to remain focused, stay fit and keep myself at the top of my game."

Life in the third tier of the English game is nothing new for the 29-year-old, having won the old Division Three with Brentford in 1999.

"League One, or Division Two back then, was a physical league," Anderson said.

"But you did have more time to play football, which suits me as I love to express myself on the pitch.

"And from what I have seen so far this year the division hasn't really changed."

Swansea City shut out a past England striker on their last visit to Reading. Now they must stop a potential international of the future. All eyes were on debutant Les Ferdinand when Kenny Jackett's men went to the Madejski Stadium in January's FA Cup third round.

Swansea did a fine job of stifling one of the best centre-forwards in the business that day as they battled to a highly creditable 1-1 draw.

This time around, Kevin Austin and Co will be attempting to repeat the dose against Leroy Lita, the club's £1 million summer buy from Bristol City.

Capped at England Under-21 level last season despite playing his club football at League One level, the pacy 20-year-old is being tipped for great things.

Scorer of 29 goals at Ashton Gate last season, Lita had already clocked up three in three starts for the Royals before today's meeting with Millwall.

Two of those strikes came in last weekend's hugely impressive 3-0 win away at Preston - last season's play-off final losers in the Championship.

"Leroy has got a great desire to score goals," enthused Reading boss Steve Coppell.

"He finds a real enjoyment in scoring and he doesn't mind missing chances, which is important in strikers.

"His goals at Preston were two quality finishes."

The good news for Swansea is that Lita may only feature as a substitute in midweek if Coppell decides to rest a couple of frontline players for Swansea's visit.

But after the scare Jackett's men gave them last season - Reading eventually scraped through in extra-time in the Vetch Field replay - that is by no means certain to happen.

Even in if Lita is on the sidelines, Swansea will almost certainly need to handle Dave Kitson, scorer of 19 goals last term after his move from Cambridge United.

Reading's classy squad also boasts the likes of Steve Sidwell - rated by many as the best player outside the Premiership - Welsh international John Oster and Iceland's Ivar Ingimarsson, scorer of their last-gasp equaliser when Paul Connor's goal looked to have caused an upset last winter.

And there are two gifted wingers who are bang in form, too.

Bobby Convey, a USA international, created both goals for Lita in what Coppell hailed as his best performance for the club.

On the other flank is former Burnley player Glen Little.

No wide player scored for Reading throughout last season - a record Coppell described as embarrassing.

Little has two goals in his last two matches.

"I just hope he hasn't blown a gasket early on," his manager joked.

Jackett will hope his players do not break down trying to keep up with their hosts on Tuesday.

Kenny Jackett left The New Stadium on Saturday night with a broken laptop in one hand and no points in the other. August 20, he lamented, had not been his day.
After the red card-stained defeat at Huddersfield seven days earlier, in fact, it had not really been the Swansea City manager's week.

If two wins from two to kick-off the season had put Swansea's followers in the party mood, consecutive losses have seen balloons go pop.

The realisation that this could be a long, testing season is setting in.

The mood will shift again through the campaign, but for now talk of back-to-back promotions is off the agenda.

Instead, reckons the old boy who inflicted the damage this weekend, Swansea should be worrying solely about finding their bearings in League One.

"The main thing is getting to 50 or 51 points to make sure you're still in the division," Dave Penney said.

The former Swan has made great strides in four years as Doncaster Rovers manager, steering them back into the Football League in 2003 and then out of the old Division Three at the first attempt.

There was no promotion this year, though, as Donny ended their opening League One campaign in 10th.

Penney, scorer of 23 Swansea goals through the mid-1990s, reckons his old club should be well pleased with an equally respectable mid-table finish in 2005-6.

"It takes time to find your feet in the new division," he went on.

"When we came up, it took us until October or November to realise that we couldn't just turn over teams.

"We'd done that in the Conference and, playing exactly the same way, we did it in Division Three.

"But in this league it's different. You have to be smarter, you have to realise that it's not all over if you go a goal behind and that you can't do anything gung-ho. This time last year, we would have lost this game by three or four, but the players have learned about the division now."

Midfielder Penney was once required to give an emergency half-time team-talk during Vetch Field's laughable Kevin Cullis era.

He knows all about some of Swansea's bad times, then, and so is all the more aware of how bright things look now in South West Wales.

But he observed: "With this fantastic new ground and one promotion achieved, the expectation levels are huge.

"Everybody wants to do it all again this season, but it's very difficult to get back-to-back promotions and the main thing as far as I see it is to make sure you don't go back down again.

"What you need is to get a foothold by getting to 50 points as quickly as possible. Once you've done that you can see where you are."

Food for thought for Swansea's hierarchy, perhaps, as they continue to target the top-six.

Even they were aware that Doncaster's visit was always likely to provide a difficult test once Lee Trundle, Garry Monk and Adrian Forbes were left in the treatment room with Izzy Iriekpen, Kris O'Leary and Andy Robinson suspended in the stands.

Jackett's understudies battled admirably, with Kevin McLeod and Leon Britton especially prominent in first starts of the season and the former Bristol Rovers central defence of Kevin Austin and Christian Edwards holding up reasonably well.

It was a game near the opposite end of the entertainment scale to last Wednesday's Welsh international snooze against Slovenia on this ground.

There were a couple of thousand more there watching, too, as Bayo Akinfenwa gave his old club a migraine in a first half which ended with Swansea taking the lead.

Britton's cross was measured to McLeod, his header was planted in the corner of the net.

The former Queens Park Rangers winger's first Swansea goal prompted a breaststroke celebration, proving he has learned plenty about rivalry with Cardiff in seven months since crossing the Bridge.

Jackett's patched-up team almost wrapped up the points early in the second half, when Sam Ricketts's spectacular long-ranger thudded into Andy Warrington's post.

But then the home side began to fade and Rovers sensed the chance for a return to the contest.

Penney's greater options on the bench proved key, with Dave Mulligan's equaliser set up by substitute James Coppinger and their winner scored by Lewis Guy, who took advantage of a faulty Swansea offside trap just five minutes after coming on.

Home sub Lee Thorpe, meanwhile, could only spoon the ball to safety when Owain Tudur Jones stabbed goalwards in injury time.

"We looked strong in the first 20 minutes of the second half and I said to the lads 'go on and get the second goal'," Jackett grumbled.

"At that stage I really couldn't see the sucker punch coming.

"I was surprised when the game swung back in their favour, but maybe in League One sides can do that to you whereas they wouldn't in League Two.

"The good thing is that Doncaster, like Huddersfield last week, are a good side who will do well in this division and we have competed with them.

"We haven't been a million miles away at all."

Not a million miles away, maybe, but with nothing gained from two matches, still 44 points away from Penney's safety mark.

At least Jackett won't need his laptop to tot up the half century, whether the count lasts until Christmas or some time nearer May.

KEVIN McLEOD broke his Swansea City goal duck - and then had to rush off home to explain it to his unhappy girlfriend!

McLeod's checkered Swans career took a turn for the better with a starring role against Doncaster, but his No 1 fan Catherine wasn't there to see it, writes Phil Blanche.

"It was a relief to get the goal, and I needed it to get my confidence back, but the problem was my girlfriend wasn't here," revealed McLeod.

"She watches all my games, but she had to work today and she said she wouldn't be happy if I scored."

While McLeod headed home to build domestic bridges, he could rest easy that he at last appears to be laying a few foundations in the battle to revive his career.

The former Everton and QPR player has struggled for form and fitness in his six months at Swansea, but the signs are that he can become an integral part of boss Kenny Jackett's plans.

Apart from his headed goal on the stroke of half-time, McLeod was a constant nuisance for the Rovers rearguard, either in the air or with the ball at his feet.

"The gaffer's given me my chance to play and I obviously had to prove that I want to stay in the team," said the 24-year-old Liverpudlian.

"I played all right, but I just need a couple more games and the fans will see what I'm about. I felt a lot fitter, I was more relaxed and I enjoyed the game.

"I've had a lot of catching up to do and I've put a year' s work into the last three months.

"The gaffer's said do your own thing to get fit, he's put me on the bench. I've gone away and done extra work and I believe it shows."

Despite Jackett's constant coaxing, though, McLeod admits he has had to take a hard look at himself to stop a once-burgeoning career from going into a complete tailspin.

"It's not just about the gaffer," he said. "It's about me personally because of the levels I'd dropped from in the last two or three years.

"I thought to myself that I needed to start putting a halt on it because I was going down. It was my last chance to do something.

"I sat down in the summer with my family and friends and decided what I needed to do.

"I spoke to the gaffer a lot and now it's down to me. It's in my own hands and Swansea's a big enough club to go places.

"This was my best performance for Swansea. I was getting involved while before I've been blowing and not concentrating enough. I've set my stall out and hopefully I can keep it there."

While Rovers' late goal double marred McLeod's day, the wideman believes that newly-promoted Swansea have nothing to fear in League One.

"It's a kick in the stomach to lose after playing so well and working so hard in the first half and at the start of the second half," he said. "It deflates you, but we've been beaten before and the lads have bounced back straight away. That's the mentality we've got and that's what we've got to do in this division."

CHRISTIAN EDWARDS confessed the pace of League One football is far greater than what he has been used to recently.

New Swansea signing Edwards returned to his first club on Friday after completing a one-month loan deal from League Two neighbours Bristol Rovers - and the central defender enjoyed a competent debut against Doncaster.

"I though I did OK, but I felt tired at the end," said Edwards who left Swansea in a £275,000 move to Nottingham Forest in March 1998 after 130 appearances for the club he supported as a boy.

"You step up a division and the pace steps up as well. The movement of their front two was very sharp, their midfield was very good and the ball came forward quickly.

"But it's nice to be back at Swansea. I know I was meant to come back a year and a half ago - and I wanted to come back - but it didn't happen."

Caerphilly-born Edwards, 29, admitted that he wants the move to become permanent after receiving what he hopes is a symbolic telephone call.

"I was driving home from training (at Rovers) on Thursday and coming across the Severn Bridge," he said. "When I got to the sign that says 'Welcome to Wales' I got the phone call from Swansea saying they wanted me.

"We'll see what happens. I've got a month to try and prove myself and hopefully that month will benefit me and the club.

"I know my days are numbered at Rovers. I'm one of the highest paid players there and they want to clear the high-earners.

"They asked me to take a pay-off in the summer and I refused, but they said that when an opportunity came along I could leave. So I've gladly taken it.

"My contract's up at the end of the season and I've got to seek a contract elsewhere. Hopefully, it will be here.

"Swansea is the team I've supported since I was 10. I've always loved the club and watch out for their results.

"The little shoe box behind the jail might have gone since I played here last, but it's fantastic to be playing in a stadium which is worthy of being in the Championship."

THE less often Swansea play a club from Yorkshire this season the better.
Not content with losing their heads as well as the game at Huddersfield last weekend the Swans conspired yesterday to give up their half-time lead against Doncaster before conceding a winner five minutes from time to Lewis Guy.

Manager Kenny Jackett admitted he hadn't seen it coming and nor for that matter had Kevin Austin, who marred an impressive afternoon by lagging behind as his fellow defenders pushed up, leaving Rovers' substitute Guy on-side and free to slot home the winner.

If it was slightly harsh on Swansea it could prove to be a valuable lesson for the long season ahead.

After finding themselves with a barely deserved lead courtesy of Kevin McLeod's first goal of the season, Swansea should have been able to close down the game in the second half.

They certainly had the possession that had largely escaped them early on.

After the break Rovers looked bereft of ideas and drained of confidence until manager Dave Penny swung the game decisively back his way with a couple of inspired late substitutions.

James Coppinger's arrival on the right of midfield allowed the impressive Dave Mulligan to switch to a central berth.

And, within two minutes of the change, their side was back on level terms.

Coppinger's square pass found Mulligan who coolly side-footed into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

Neither side could have had much cause to complain about a draw but Rovers weren't finished.

This time it was another substitute, Lewis Guy, who slotted past Gueret from Michael McIndoe's threaded pass as three out of four defenders pushed up in search of the offside.

Lee Thorpe could still have rescued a point in injury time had the pass from Owain Tudur-Jones been softer and his own touch better.

But the win was testament to Rovers' ability to stick in there and the Swans' inability to concentrate for the full 90 minutes.

Jackett will surely impress this on his players before Tuesday night's Carling Cup trip to Reading.

In fairness Jackett was forced to field a patched-up side shorn of suspended trio Izzy Iriekpen, Kris O'Leary and Andy Robinson and the injured Lee Trundle, Adrian Forbes and Garry Monk.

His stretched resources had sent Jackett back into the transfer market on Friday to re-sign former Swan Christian Edwards on loan from Bristol Rovers, while Swansea's newest international Tudur-Jones was handed his full debut after coming on as a substitute in last weekend's defeat at Huddersfield.

Edwards was solid and composed throughout while Tudur-Jones, fresh from his debut for Wales under-21s against Malta, took a little longer to settle.

With a lack of striking options Jackett opted to push speedster Marc Goodfellow up front alongside the battering ram that is Adebayo Akinfenwa.

And the latter proved his usual handful for the Rovers' defence, using his strength to shrug off some over-zealous defending after four minutes to release Kevin McLeod before continuing his run into the box and meeting the cross with a header planted straight into the hands of Andy Warrington.

That was as good as it got for the home side early on, who were run ragged by Doncaster's midfield movement and their short, sharp passing.

At times Swansea's own midfield were just chasing shadows with Mulligan and former Sunderland man Sean Thornton their tormentors-in-chief.

Willy Gueret was by the far the busier goalkeeper early on with Paul Heffernan seeing his early effort well saved by the Frenchman before he pushed Mulligan's dipping shot over the bar.

Swansea were finding themselves pegged back into their own half for long periods but managed to force the odd opening themselves.

Goodfellow fired a volley over before Akinfenwa saw his curling effort brilliantly tipped around the post by Warrington.

The opening goal, when it arrived on the stroke of half-time, came out of the blue and against the run of play.

Leon Britton's deep cross from the right was too high for Akinfenwa to reach but just right for McLeod, who came rushing in behind his striker to head past Warrington.

The goal stirred the home side into life and seemed to knock the stuffing out of their opponents, even though they had the chance of an instant equaliser after the break when Mulligan's cross flew across the face of goal with Heffernan, under pressure from Alan Tate, unable to get the touch it needed.

Jackett threw on three substitutes himself in a bid to close out the match but the removal of Akinfenwa, McLeod and Goodfellow also took away much of Swansea's menace.

Rovers then showed their hosts what is required to prosper at League One level. Let's hope they were paying attention.

LOAN signing Christian Edwards should go straight into the Swansea City team today after boss Kenny Jackett moved quickly to avert a defensive crisis.
Edwards, 29 - who made over 130 appearances for Swansea before joining Nottingham Forest in March 1998 - joined on an initial one-month deal from Bristol Rovers yesterday.

But the move should become permanent next month with Rovers boss Ian Atkins seeking to shake things up after an indifferent start and Jackett wanting extra defensive strength.

Caerphilly-born Edwards - capped once by Wales in 1996 - has had a chequered career since joining Forest in a £275,000 deal.

The centre-back featured only 46 times for the East Midlands club and had loan spells at Bristol City, Oxford (twice), Crystal Palace and Tranmere before settling at Bristol Rovers where he made nearly 100 appearances.

A popular figure at Swansea, Edwards has been brought "home" with Jackett facing the prospect today of being without three-quarters of his first-choice back four.

Izzy Iriekpen begins a three-match ban following his red card at Huddersfield, Garry Monk has suffered a calf injury after recovering from the dead leg that has ruled him since the opening day and Sam Ricketts is struggling with the shoulder injury sustained in Wales' midweek friendly at the New Stadium.

"I've had to look at the squad because I've lost people," said Jackett.

"We've also got Doncaster, Reading (in the Carling Cup) on Tuesday and two games next week, so that's four games in 10 days and you've got to assess the injury situation."

Doncaster are without summer signing Stephen Roberts, who has a hernia problem, but his brother Neil, another former Wrexham player, hopes to start up front alongside Paul Heffernan.

Former Cardiff City striker Leo Fortune-West might have to settle for a place on the bench.

A FEW short months ago Owain Tudur Jones was poring over the books and swotting for exams.
The 20-year-old was in his first year at Bangor University studying sports science and concentrating on getting the right academic grades.

But now Tudur Jones can only think of making the grade in the tough world of professional football and graduating into the Swansea City first team against Doncaster Rovers at the New Stadium.

If the midfielder makes Kenny Jackett's starting line-up today - and there is every chance with Kris O'Leary suspended and Adrian Forbes injured - forgive the former Bangor City starlet for pinching himself.

Last season Airbus UK and Newi Cefn Druids were among Welsh Premier opposition, now Bristol City and Nottingham Forest are potential League One quarry.

Add a dramatic Wales U21 bow against Malta and a price being put on his head (Swansea this week agreed to pay Bangor £5,000 for his services) and it's no wonder that life has suddenly become a bit of a blur for the laidback North Walian.

"It's all happening quite quickly," confessed Tudur Jones, who was called into Brian Flynn's U21 squad on Sunday morning and little more than 48 hours later played the final third of Wales' encouraging 3-1 victory over Malta.

"But you've got to keep two feet on the ground, and I won't have a problem there.

"I'd like to get a few more U21 caps and an opportunity with Swansea.

"Hopefully, when the chance comes round, I'll take it with both hands.

"Playing football is something I've wanted to do since I was a little kid and it's a dream training here every day as a job. Long may it continue."

With Jackett denied the services of suspended trio O'Leary, Izzy Iriekpen and Andy Robinson, while Lee Trundle (hamstring) and Sam Ricketts (shoulder) could join Forbes and Garry Monk on the injury list, Tudur Jones' chance could come earlier than even he possibly expected.

But he has shown enough quality in a few pre-season cameos, as well as a substitute's appearance at Huddersfield last week, to persuade Jackett that he is ready to start.

Self-confidence, too, should not be a problem judging by an interview given in calm and composed fashion.

"I feel quite confident in my own ability and training every day has been very beneficial for me," he said.

"Having good coaches and good players around me is obviously going to help.

"I think I'm improving as a player, but it doesn't matter what level you play at, you're always hopeful of that one chance.

"When that chance does occur you're obviously going to do everything in your power to take it."

Having signed a one-year deal (Swansea moved quickly to increase their original offer of a month because of interest from Swindon Town and Tranmere Rovers) Tudur Jones admits he has had to get used to a new life very quickly.

"I chat with my mum and dad on the phone every day and I think they've been a bit taken aback by things," said Tudur Jones, who had been faced with the prospect of making his league debut in the unfamiliar environment of centre-half before Jackett snapped up Swans old boy Christian Edwards on a loan deal yesterday.

"There's obviously a difference in the standard that I'm used to.

"But, as I've said, on a personal level just training every day is so beneficial to me, and I'm very hopeful that I can manage to cope with the step up.

"We're quite a tight camp and looking at us this week I don't see bouncing back after Huddersfield as a major problem."

But what about those studies? Does Tudur Jones see himself picking up those books again?

"I could have continued, but I decided that it was best for my football if I concentrated on it 100 per cent," he said.

"Football is obviously a very short career and different things can happen, but I've got my studies to go back to if I need to.

"I might have to get stuck into my second year, but hopefully that won't be the case.

"I don't want to go back too soon as I'd prefer to be on the training field every day and looking forward to matches."

Should the skill match the application that has brought him to Swansea, you suspect Tudur Jones might be returning to college as a mature student.

Bristol Rovers defender Christian Edwards was today set to join Swansea City on a month's loan. The centre-back, transfer-listed by the Pirates last season, is wanted to cover an injury crisis at the League One club where he launched his career.

If the deal goes ahead, it means Rovers boss Ian Atkins will have to reshuffle his side for the trip to Torquay tomorrow.

Craig Hinton will be favourite to replace the Welshman as the Gas look for their first victory of the season.

Rovers' ranks have been further depleted with midfielder Matt Somner joining Conference club Aldershot. He had been offered terms at Rovers after linking up with the club in pre-season, but became frustrated as a long-term deal failed to materialise at the Memorial Stadium.

Atkins is desperate to see Rovers kick-start their season at Torquay but says their habit of giving away goals will have to stop.

Rovers face a Gulls side who are also looking for their first win of the campaign following relegation from League One last season - and Leroy Rosenior's men have failed to score in their three games so far.

But the Pirates will need to cut out the sloppy defending which has contributed heavily to them shipping six goals already.

Atkins said: "We've scored the same amount of goals as the sides

Last summer it was freshers' week, now its graduation day. But Owain Tudur Jones will not be picking up his sports science degree this weekend.
Instead the 20-year-old goes in search of a different sort of honours, as Kenny Jackett prepares to include him in Swansea City's starting line-up for the first time.

With Kristian O'Leary, Izzy Iriekpen and Andy Robinson suspended and fitness doubts over Garry Monk, Sam Ricketts and Adrian Forbes, the depth of Jackett's squad is set for an early-season examination when Doncaster Rovers arrive at The New Stadium.

Hence Tudur Jones, who has two brief substitute appearances in a Swansea shirt to his name so far, looks odds-on to make his full Football League debut.

In May he was finishing the first year of his course at Bangor University while playing football for Bangor City.

Tomorrow should cap a rapid rise from part-timer to fully-fledged pro.

"I have put the degree on hold for now," he says. "I could have carried it on, but I've decided to concentrate 100 per cent on my football.

"Football can be a short career, and of course, I can go back to uni and into the second year if I need to in the future.

"Hopefully, that won't be the case - or at least I'll be a very mature student by the time it happens.

"Playing football every day as a job is a dream come true for me. It's something I've wanted to do since I was a little kid, and I don't want it to end too soon."

Judging by his early, not-so-tentative steps in the professional game, Tudur Jones won't have to worry about his studies for a good while yet.

As a Swansea player, he may have to worry about referees' notebooks, but the textbooks can go back to the library.

The 6ft 4in midfielder has been duck-to-water-like in his smooth adaptation to life as a Swan.

He impressed enough in pre-season training to be handed a one-month contract, then signed a 12-month deal only two days later after a polished performance in a friendly at Forest Green.

Jackett had to tie his man down - Swindon Town, Tranmere and Rochdale were all on the trail of his signature.

"Of course there is a step up in class from the Welsh Premier to League One," Tudur Jones observes.

"But on a personal level, I think training every day has been very beneficial and hopefully I can make that step.

"I'm quite confident in my own ability and I feel I'm improving all the time."

This week is one that should live long in Tudur Jones's memory.

While Doncaster await tomorrow, the rangy North Walian won his first Under-21 cap in Tuesday's victory over Malta.

"It's all happening quite quickly," he concedes.

"The Under-21s was a last-minute thing - I got a call last Sunday morning asking me to turn up for training on Sunday afternoon.

"It was a brilliant experience for me, but I'm going to keep my feet on the ground, there's no doubt about that."

Tall though he is, there seems no danger of this prospect losing his head in the clouds.

"I suppose you could say I'm a bit laid back," he concedes.

"But I don't think you should worry about your football. If you start thinking about things too much or panicking it will affect your performance.

"I'm just trying to think as positively as possible because that should stand me in good stead for the season."

He may not have finished the course, but Tudur Jones was obviously listening in his sports psychology lectures.

With a £5,000 compensation fee agreed with his former club in the week, the time has come to put all he has learnt into practice.

"I don't know a lot about Doncaster," he admits.

"All this is quite new to me and every Saturday is a new experience.

"But I wouldn't say it's all turned into a bit of a blur.

"I'm not treating things any differently from what I did at Bangor.

"The matches are still on Saturdays and I'm still playing football.

"I did okay for Bangor last year (he was made captain) and hopefully I'll do the same for Swansea when the opportunity comes."

David Penney remains confident as he heads to Swansea tomorrow - even though Doncaster Rovers are still to register a win this season. The visitors have only picked up two points from a possible nine with draws against Bristol City and MK Dons followed by a 1-0 home defeat to Hartlepool United.

Although not the ideal start Penney (right) would have wanted for his promotion hopefuls - Rovers finished one point out of the League One play-offs last term - the former Swansea City skipper is taking positives out of the opening three games.

"It is a fine dividing line between being top and bottom at this stage of the season," he said.

"The fact that no team has won all three games so far is an indication perhaps of how competitive the league is going to be this season.

"Obviously we want to get a win under our belts as soon as possible but I'm not unduly concerned because I don't think that we have played badly."

Penney has guided Doncaster from the Conference to League One in just two seasons with back-to-back promotions.

"I think one or two looked at us as the upstarts from the Conference last season," he added.

"But now they have seen what we can do they are more wary and they won't be taking as many chances so they are going to be harder to break down."

Doncaster have been one of the division's top spenders over the summer, adding £125,000 striker Paul Heffernan from Bristol City to the £175,000 they used to capture midfielder Sean Thornton from Sunderland.

"I think we need to be more patient at times and we have to learn to play through Sean more in midfield instead of trying to hit the front," Penney added.

SWANSEA City will be without five frontline players against Doncaster Rovers tomorrow after Garry Monk and Adrian Forbes were ruled out with injury.

Centre-back Monk was all set to return after recovering from the dead leg he suffered on the opening day of the season only to pull a calf in training yesterday.
And winger Forbes is still struggling with the hamstring problem he picked up at Huddersfield last weekend.

With Izzy Iriekpen, Kristian O'Leary and Andy Robinson all suspended, memories of Swansea's home defeat by Bury last November - when five first-teamers were banned after the Shrewsbury fiasco - come to mind.

Back then Kenny Jackett signed reinforcements in Marc Goodfellow and Ijah Anderson but still lost the game 3-1.

With Monk and Forbes expected to pull through earlier this week, the Swansea manager chose not to strengthen this time around.

And while he was still contemplating a possible loan signing this morning, the decision not to add to his squad could now prove costly.

Swansea must rely on a patched-up team as they attempt to bounce back from their first defeat of the season by beating a talented Doncaster side desperate for victory themselves after a winless opening week.

"I've been looking to strengthen," Jackett said, "and there is still a chance of a loan signing.

"We have four games coming up over the next 10 days and that's not easy when you're without a few players.

"There will be people missing tomorrow, but that means there will be opportunities for others.

"We have to work as a group because at some stage you will fall away from your best team - though you don't necessarily expect it to happen so early in the season."

There was a further scare for Jackett yesterday when Lee Trundle limped out of training complaining of a sore hamstring, but the two-goal striker is expected to play.

Sam Ricketts will have a painkilling injection in a shoulder injury he suffered in Wales's goalless draw with Slovenia on Wednesday night so he can take his place on the right flank of Swansea's defence.

Alan Tate seems likely to figure at centre-back while Anderson could start a league game for the first time since March 5 on the left.

Former Bangor midfielder Owain Tudur Jones hopes to make his full debut in O'Leary's absence, while Leon Britton is poised for his first start of the season on the right.

Jackett, meanwhile, is hoping Swansea's early-season flurry of yellow and red cards has come to a halt.

"We don't want the players to lose their competitive edge, but we do want them on their best behaviour tomorrow," he added.

"It's a fine line and we have talked about it this week.

"But we still have to make sure we're hard to beat against a Doncaster side harbouring promotion ambitions this season."

Officials from the Football Association of Wales have called an urgent meeting with chiefs from the New Stadium Swansea following Wednesday's international friendly between Wales and Slovenia. John Toshack's team, led out by Swansea-product John Hartson, played in front of a disappointing 10,016 crowd at the 20,500 all-seater stadium.

Now following a number of issues, the FAW have called a meeting with Stadco - the firm in charge of the day-to-day running of the new ground - to spell out their concerns to them.

Some supporters for the match were sent double the amount of tickets they ordered and they were charged twice as ticketing problems still dog Stadco.

But the ticketing fiasco is nothing new to Swansea City fans as they suffered problems of their own when purchasing their season tickets for Swansea's inaugural season at the new stadium.

The FAW is also up in arms that their own officials and their counterparts from Slovenia had to pay for their own refreshments at the ground - something which is unheard of at other international venues throughout the Continent.

"Stadco had problems with the ticketing system for the Wales-Slovenia game and that needs to be looked at," said FAW secretary-general David Collins.

"We also lost a potential sizeable walk-up crowd on the night because police would not permit ticket sales after 2pm. Stadco intimated to us it would be a full house and we fully anticipated that it would happen given that it was the first Wales game at the new stadium," he added.

But Toshack's men, short of several star names - Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy, Simon Davies, Ben Thatcher and Mark Delaney - and the lack of a glamorous opposition meant that the stadium was less than half full.

The problems from Wednesday night could mean that the FAW will think twice before looking to bring an international match back to Swansea and leave future matches at the Millennium Stadium.

"I have to say that the gate against Slovenia did disappoint us and clearly there are lessons to be learned," Collins added.

"Maybe we have become a bit spoilt by the Millennium Stadium and our remaining World Cup games are committed to playing there.

"And it would make sense, given that it is a bigger venue, to take seven Euro 2008 qualifiers there too."

Swansea City fans will not be able to purchase tickets for the Doncaster game via the internet or the ticket hotline on matchday. The ticket office will be open on Saturday from 10am for collection and sales, but fans have been urged to arrive early.

Supporters in the East Stand are asked to turn right when leaving the stadium to allow visiting fans to depart the ground.

Vehicles in the stadium car park will not be allowed to leave for up to 30 minutes after the match or until they are told to do so by police or stewards.

Season-ticket holders must show their red card and season-ticket book to gain entry.

Due to a lack of demand the park and ride scheme from County Hall is no longer available.

Fans wishing to travel to Reading, Walsall or to the Wales-England game can book their place with the Swansea City official travel club from the club shop from 1.30pm tomorrow.

Meanwhile, tickets for Swansea's Bank Holiday Monday match with Barnsley at The New Stadium went on sale today.

SWANS boss Kenny Jackett last night defended the Swansea sporting public after criticism of the low 10,000 turn-out for Wales' friendly against Slovenia.

The New Stadium hosted Swansea's first Wales soccer international for 17 years, but the crowd was nearly 7,000 down on the Swans' League One opener against Tranmere earlier this month.

That figure has raised many eyebrows, even taking into account the ticket distribution problems which fans experienced ahead of Wednesday's goalless draw.

But Jackett said, "There were quite a number of big players out - the likes of Ryan (Giggs) and Craig (Bellamy) were not playing - and the game was shown live on television.

"There's also been quite a number of games at the stadium too, but I wouldn't question the passion of people in Swansea when it comes to sport.

"Even with a lower crowd, the atmosphere was still in the stadium.

"It was a different angle for me sitting at the top, but the support was still there and that's terrific."

Jackett also outlined what he considers another reason behind the disappointing crowd, identifying a factor he believes is peculiar to Swansea.

"Everybody knows the catchment area is there but, if you look at the Vetch, there's been quite a fluctuation over the years," he said.

"I've been down to the Vetch in recent years scouting for Watford and Queens Park Rangers and there's been 3,500 there to watch the Swans.

"Yet last year there was generally between 8,000 and 11,000, so there can be often be big variations in crowds in Swansea.

"Other clubs might get 4,000 if they're not doing well and 6,000 if they are.

"At Swansea there's a wider range which I think gives you more potential."

Sam Ricketts was left baffled as to why Matej Mavric was not booked after the Slovenian defender left him sprawling on the ground. The Swansea City defender was left lying in heap after Mavric clattered into him in the opening 10 minutes of the Wales-Slovenia match at the New Stadium last night.

"To be fair I thought that he would have at least got booked for that especially after how hard he hit me. The ball was nowhere near him, but that is really up to the referee," Ricketts said.

"He just flew into me. All the lads said he did a karate chop across my upper body. I didn't really see him coming. I just got clattered."

Ricketts was playing his fourth international for Wales last night and, despite playing against the likes Austria and Hungary, the 23-year-old left-back felt that the Slovenians were the best side that he has come up against in his short international career.

"I felt that I have learned more tonight than I have done in my other three games," he said.

"I still have loads to learn and loads to improve and this was a good night in terms of me learning things.

"I was giving the ball away when I should have been keeping it. But that is something that I can learn from. I got better in the second half, so it was nice to come through it after giving the ball away and cause them a few problems.

"They have got good players, they work hard off the ball and that limits your options when you are on it. A lot of times I was having to go back rather than forward because it was so tight up front which is probably why I was giving the ball away.

"I'm learning all the time when to keep it and when to try and make the right decision. In the second half I made a few right decisions, like when to cross and when I should be checking back and just keeping the ball."

Only 15 months ago, Ricketts was playing Conference football with Telford United, but a meteoric rise has seen the former Oxford United player as the leading candidate to mark England's David Beckham in less than three weeks time in Cardiff.

"It (the England game) is obviously a massive game. They have world-class players all over the pitch. We have just got to out there and try our hardest."

There would have been a few worried Swansea fans around the New Stadium last night as Ricketts was left holding his shoulder towards the end.

With Kristian O'Leary, Izzy Iriekpen and Andy Robinson all suspended and fitness doubts over Garry Monk and Adrian Forbes, the last thing Kenny Jackett needed was another injury worry for Saturday's clash with Doncaster Rovers.

"My shoulder was a little sore at the end, but I will be playing at the weekend. If it was hanging off I would still be playing," Ricketts added.

Andy Gurney hopes Swansea City's troubles with injury and suspension could see him brought in from the cold when Doncaster visit The New Stadium this weekend. And the former Swindon defender, frozen out of the first-team picture since April, has no plans to leave the club even if his exile continues.

"I want to play for Swansea City," Gurney declared.

"It's a big club and these are exciting times with the new stadium and the new division. I want to be a part of that."

Gurney (pictured right) last played for Swansea in the final league game at Vetch Field against Shrewsbury Town.

He was substituted at half-time after a below-par performance, though, and was transfer-listed by Kenny Jackett at the end of the season.

"There hasn't really been any sign of me leaving," Gurney added.

"There have been a couple of little things, but nothing major and nothing concrete.

"The priority for me now is to try change the way things are going at Swansea."

Gurney's fall from grace remains something of a mystery given that he was signed by Jackett on a three-year deal last September and was a regular through Swansea's promotion campaign.

"The manager has said one or two things to me. I've taken them on board and now I'm just trying as hard as I possibly can," the 31-year-old went on.

"It was very disappointing when I was told I was being put on the transfer list and it's been very frustrating watching the first few games at the new ground. The atmosphere has been fantastic and you want to be out there."

Izzy Iriekpen and midfielders Kris O'Leary and Andy Robinson are suspended for Saturday's meeting with Doncaster, while Garry Monk and Adrian Forbes are both battling to be fit.

Added Gurney: "You never know, I might get a chance even if it's only on the bench.

"And, if that happens, hopefully I can take it.

"I haven't been involved with the first team at all this season and that's been strange for me. I haven't had that for a long time.

"But in football you never know what's around the corner.

"Things change from day to day, so even if I'm in the stands again this weekend, I'll just keep my head down and wait for the next chance."

Jackett has indicated that Gurney will be recalled to the first-team squad if required.

"I won't cut off my nose to spite my face," the Swansea boss said.

Gavin Williams has hinted that he would be interested in a move to Swansea City if he is deemed surplus to requirements at West Ham United. The former Yeovil midfielder, capped for the first time by Wales in last night's goalless draw with Slovenia at The New Stadium, is a transfer target for Swansea boss Kenny Jackett.

And Merthyr product Williams admits a switch to his homeland could be on the cards should he leave Upton Park.

"This stadium is fantastic," the 25-year-old told the Evening Post after making his international bow.

"I've heard a few things about Swansea being interested in me and obviously I wouldn't rule out coming here. I suppose we will just have to see what happens.

Williams, famous in these parts for his Cardiff City-inspired Ayatollah goal celebration at Vetch Field two seasons ago, left Yeovil for the Hammers in a £250,000 switch last winter.

But he has not figured in the first team since the East London club's promotion to the Premiership, and Jackett wants him to spruce up his midfield.

"I have spoken to the manager at West Ham (Alan Pardew) and he has told me I'm in his plans," Williams added.

"But I'm not involved at my club at the minute so I'm not sure what's going to happen.

"I wouldn't say I'm looking to move, but obviously I'm not playing first-team football so I have to consider my future.

"It's all right just staying at West Ham, but I need to be playing football so we'll wait and see."

Williams played the last half hour as Wales made their return to Swansea after a 17-year absence.

"Slovenia are a decent side so there are plenty of positives," he added. "Now it's all eyes on England, a game any Welshman would love to play in."

Yeovil Tn res 5 Swansea City res 1 YEOVIL'S reserves found their goalscoring form at Huish Park last night.

Adam Lockwood scored twice, netting the first from a corner and the last after a fine team move.

In between Kevin Gall headed in a Michael Rose cross and Paul Terry was on target after a scramble in the box. Gall's cross was headed in by Dale Williams for 4-0 before Swansea pulled one back.

After the game boss Gary Johnson reserved praise for youth-teamers Jamie Underwood and Jake Smeeton.

Huw Jenkins today echoed Kenny Jackett by rejecting suggestions that Swansea City have a disciplinary problem. The spotlight has fallen on Jackett's players after they collected 12 yellow cards and two reds in the first three games of the new season.

Swansea also had an unwelcome share of trouble with referees last year, but Jenkins is not concerned.

"When you look at the cards we've received so far this season, I don't think many have been warranted," the Swansea chairman said.

"I don't think our tackling has been over-zealous and some of the bookings in the games against Colchester and Huddersfield were dubious to say the least.

"As for Kris O'Leary's red, he was just protecting himself as he went up for a 50-50 ball."

Jenkins added: "We want our side to be committed to trying to win games and we know that means they will be in trouble with referees every now and again. But we haven't got a disciplinary problem at all."

Kenny Jackett has ruled out any emergency signings as he waits on the fitness of Garry Monk and Adrian Forbes. The Swansea City boss has fingers crossed that centre-back Monk and winger Forbes can shake off knocks in time for Saturday's clash with Doncaster Rovers at The New Stadium.

Monk (below) has been sidelined with a dead leg since the opening day of the season, while Forbes (right) hobbled off during last weekend's defeat at Huddersfield with a badly bruised knee and minor damage to a tendon.

With Kristian O'Leary, Izzy Iriekpen and Andy Robinson all suspended, Jackett had contemplated moving into the loan market.

But he has now scrapped that idea, choosing instead to rely on what he has already got.

"I don't think we'll be rushing to sign anyone," he said.

"Garry and Adrian both feel they have got a chance of making it so we are staying optimistic over the two of them.

"I am looking for new signings anyway, but a loan player would have to be the right player.

"If Garry and Adrian don't quite make it for the weekend, the likelihood is they will be fit for Tuesday night at Reading.

"When you look at it like that, it's not worth bringing someone in just to plug a hole for one game.

"I would rather bring people in who are going to improve my squad, people I would have signed anyway."

With only a fortnight to go before the transfer window swings shut for the first time in the Football League, Swansea still want at least two new recruits.

"We're all aware that there are only a couple of weeks left," said chairman Huw Jenkins.

"We are looking, we are watching and we are talking to as many people as we can as we endeavour to sign the players Kenny wants.

"But we have always got the loan market, which we understand will be open after the transfer window shuts, to fall back on if we need to.

"The players Kenny wants may become available in the next couple of weeks, but they might not do so until Christmas."

Meanwhile. Swansea have agreed a compensation fee of £5,000 with Bangor City for midfielder Owain Tudur Jones, who left the Welsh Premier League club for South Wales over the summer.

"While it was open to interpretation whether we had to pay anything, we felt it was the right thing to do," Jenkins said.

"I had a chat with the Bangor chairman (Ken Jones) and I put myself in his position. There are times when you feel it's right to do something, and this was one of them."

Swansea City goalkeeping coach Tony Pennock is running an FAW Trust Fun Football Festival at the Elba sports complex at Gowerton a week today. Pennock, the Carmarthen Town 'keeper, is Swansea's football development officer.

The idea of the festival is to get children aged between eight and 12 away from televisions over the summer.

"It's about coming along and learning new skills under the expert guidance of FAW Trust coaches," Pennock said. "The emphasis is on having fun."

Each youngster taking part will be given a goody bag, gifts and a certificate.

The festival, which runs from 10am to 3pm, costs £10 per child. For more details, phone the FAW Trust on 01443 228873.

Kenny Jackett today came out in defence of his players after their latest day of disciplinary shame. The Swansea City boss insists his team are no more aggressive than any other side - even if the statistics suggest otherwise.

Two red cards and five yellows at Huddersfield last weekend saw Swansea plunge to the bottom of League One's fair play table.

But Jackett believes his players have been hard done by this term and he is adamant there will be no change of approach when Doncaster Rovers visit The New Stadium this Saturday.

''I have to be careful about what I say in the press about referees,'' he said, ''but I have taken a balanced view and I do feel that on Saturday we were harshly treated.

''I've been through the various incidents numerous times and, starting with Kris O'Leary, I think he was unlucky to be sent off.

''All he did was go up for a genuine 50-50 ball.

''Izzy Iriekpen tells me he didn't swear at the referee, but the referee says otherwise and if that's the case he is quite entitled to send him off.

''As for the five bookings, I'm not convinced by any of them.

''The one that mystified me most was Lee Trundle's. He made a genuine attempt to hold the ball up and he was put under pressure by the defender which is fine.

''Lee went to ground and the ball went out of play, so the decision must be a free-kick to us or a throw to Huddersfield.

''I was watching it all from five yards away. There were players from their bench standing over him and Danny Adams was kneeling over him.

''But when the dust settled, Lee got booked along with Bayo Akinfenwa and the free-kick went against us. I really couldn't see that one.

''There was no contact at all when Alan Tate was booked for a foul and, though Leon Britton's was certainly a foul, I didn't feel it was anything more than that.

''Last of all came Kevin Austin. He was booked pulling the lad back even though the ball was going out of play. There's a bit of a grey area there and maybe I can go with the ref on that.''

Swansea's card-happy opening to the new season follows a string of brushes with the football law last term.

Then a total of seven red cards and 81 yellows left them fourth-bottom of League Two's fair play table.

But Jackett maintained: ''We're not a dirty side and I don't send my teams out to be any more aggressive than any other manager would.

''I believe in being competitive and being strong to earn points, but you also need to be creative and to score goals. We've done that in each of our games so far.

''Our approach has been good in all of those games and we'll aim to build on that against Doncaster this weekend. Hopefully we'll all be talking about the football after the game.''

O'Leary and Iriekpen both start three-match bans on Saturday, with the latter facing a possible additional ban because he failed to leave the Galpharm Stadium pitch promptly.

Television cameras showed Iriekpen remonstrating with referee Matt Messias after his dismissal, then lashing a ball down the tunnel in anger.

''I haven't seen that footage and how people will view that,'' Jackett said. ''But all I see is some passion and enthusiasm to win in my players. That's something I want to keep.''

Izzy Iriekpen today insisted he did not swear at referee Matt Messias at Huddersfield and revealed: "I only told him he was shocking." The Swansea City centre-back was sent off in stoppage time of last Saturday's 3-1 Galpharm Stadium defeat after reacting to an ugly tackle on team-mate Owain Tudur Jones.

Messias later told Swansea boss Kenny Jackett that Iriekpen had been dismissed for using foul and abusive language.

But Iriekpen, who must now serve a three-match ban, has denied the South Yorkshire official's claim.

"I did not swear at him," the former West Ham youngster declared.

"I'm not going to lie. I told him he was shocking.

"He booked Leon (Britton) for a 50-50 tackle and then didn't even give a free-kick when one of their players went in on Jonesy.

"It was a horrible tackle, a high one into the knee, but they ended up getting a free-kick.

"I lost it a bit and told the player and the ref what I thought.

"Then the ref pulled out a yellow card and I said 'what's that for?'

"I told him it was a shocking decision and he sent me off."

Swansea's players felt they were on the wrong end of a string of decisions as they subsided to a first defeat of the season.

Kristian O'Leary was another sent off for an elbow on Jon Worthington, while the visitors collected five bookings.

"I don't think we were given anything," Iriekpen went on.

"Kris got sent off just for jumping for the ball. He's not the kind of player to go in to hurt someone.

"We are all professional players, but we weren't being treated that way.

"Our captain, Roberto (Martinez), was trying to speak to the referee, but he wouldn't even have that."

Iriekpen and O'Leary will now sit out Swansea's league encounters with Doncaster and Walsall and the Carling Cup tie at Reading a week tonight.

"To miss Reading is especially disappointing," Iriekpen said, "but to miss any game is a blow when we've started the season well.

"I'm not going to change the way I play when I do get back though. I've never had a three-match ban before and I just can't wait for it to end."

Swansea full-back Sam Ricketts says he cannot wait to play for Wales at his club's recently-opened New Stadium.
Ricketts is set to feature as Wales take on Slovenia at the new 20,000-capacity arena on Wednesday, a proud moment for both him and Swansea-born team-mate Richard Duffy, who could make his debut.

Ricketts said: "It's good to be playing for Wales in Swansea and at our new stadium. It's a great place and it will be special for me to play for my country at my own club ground.

"Richard Duffy is also likely to be playing, so that will be another Swansea lad involved.

"You would not have thought a couple of years ago that two Swansea-based players would be playing for Wales in their own town.

"Swansea is moving forward as a club, we are determined to move up the divisions and put the place back on the map.

"I've signed a two-year extension to my contract. I'm happy to be here because the club is looking to progress and the new stadium will certainly help that.

"We don't want to hang around, we want promotion again. There were 18,000 people there for our first home game in the new ground so the potential is there."

Wales have not played a full international in Swansea for 17 years and striker John Hartson is also moved by the occasion.

The Celtic striker said: "I'm Swansea-born and it's great to see Wales playing a full international here.

"Swansea now have a stadium to be proud of and I am really looking forward to playing here for my country."

The game will give boss John Toshack the chance to see a few new faces as he prepares for the World Cup qualifier against England next month and looks ahead to the Euro 2008 qualifiers next year.

Hartson, who could well captain the side, added: "It's an opportunity for the boss to see a few more lads, for me it's always an important occasion to pull on a red shirt and play for my country.

"This is a chance to look beyond this game and the England match to see what is coming through and give some of the younger lads the chance to make their mark.

"I feel a bit like an elder statesman now with so many young faces around. But I have spent years looking up to the likes of Mark Hughes and Gary Speed and now I find myself in that sort of position.

"It feels weird not having those lads around, I am only 30 and there's only Ryan Giggs now older than me in the squad.

"I am still enjoying my Welsh football and I intend to keep going as long as I am wanted. The European Championship qualifiers are a year away now, but I aim to be involved and to do my best to help the younger players to progress.

"I feel great, I have had a good pre-season and six goals already. I just want to crack on and challenge for trophies in Scotland - Rangers lost at the weekend, that always makes things a little sweeter!

"We have got Rangers at the weekend, we beat them three times out of four last season and we should have won the title until we threw it away on the last day.

"After the international it will be a lunchtime date at Ibrox on Saturday, and I can't wait because they are always great occasions."

As if he had not enjoyed the last laugh already, Peter Jackson aimed a cheap shot at Lee Trundle in the final act of Swansea City's miserable afternoon. Preparing to hold court in the Galpharm Stadium tunnel, Huddersfield Town's manager spotted Swansea City's star striker trudging in after his warm down.

Jackson had only just emerged to give his post-match interview and, knowing the mikes were not yet on but pretending they were, announced that "that Lee Trundle is a t***".

Enjoying his own gag -at least somebody did - the former Huddersfield player gave Trundle a slap on the back as he passed.

Sensibly, Swansea's talisman carried on walking.

He probably felt like telling Jackson where to go, particularly given what had gone before.

Swansea, after all, were not exactly in jocular mood after losing two players to red cards in their first defeat of the season.

It had been a fierce contest, one where Jackson felt the need to march onto the pitch and stand toe to toe with Trundle after Danny Adams, Huddersfield's card magnet left-back, had drawn the first handbag.

Adams leaned into Trundle on the floor by the dugouts. After the 20-man round of pushing and pulling which followed, Swansea had two players booked to Huddersfield's one and the home side got the free kick.

Here, in one incident, Kenny Jackett's men felt their day had been summed up.

They felt hard done by.

Jackson, however, was playing the victim afterwards, suggesting his team had been subjected to a footballing assault.

"We managed to keep our discipline in a hot-tempered game," said the man who, with top button undone and sleeves rolled up, had dashed over the white line to join the melee an hour or so earlier.

"This was a big test for us. Everybody who watches us knows we play good football, but today we showed our character and showed that we can stand up for ourselves.

"It was a big test for Andy Booth and Pawel Abbott up front against two intimidating centre-backs, but they stood up to it."

Strange that he should worry for the welfare of Booth and Abbott, two powerfully-built strikers who can look after themselves.

Jackson had talked in the build-up of how Swansea would provide a different kind of examination from those set by Nottingham Forest and Bristol City earlier in the week.

The suggestion was the others were good footballing sides, while Jackett's team would rely on the physical approach.

Rightly or wrongly, it seems Swansea are getting themselves a reputation as League One's answer to the perceived cloggers of Blackburn Rovers.

"I certainly hope that's not the case," Jackett said.

"But if there's a reputation there then we have to make sure we find the right balance between football and competitiveness. That's what you have to do to be a good team.

"So we will sit down, watch the video of the game and see where we can improve.

"We will assess the game honestly when the fierceness of matchday has past. We will look to see if there were situations we got into when we needn't have done or if we were genuinely unlucky.

"We will be honest with ourselves and then move onto the next game."

For Kristian O'Leary and Izzy Iriekpen the next game is now a couple of weeks away, with automatic three-match bans ahead after straight red cards this weekend.

Five of their team-mates saw yellow to go with the five bookings at Colchester on Tuesday night, leaving Jackett with a problem.

Suspensions hit Swansea hard last season and a repeat seems almost inevitable on the evidence of week one of the new campaign.

Andy Robinson, remember, is in the middle of a seven-match lay-off imposed following his misdemeanour at Bristol Rovers in the spring.

Word has obviously spread of Robinson's troubles and those of his team last term - remember Shrewsbury? - despite the club's change of divisions.

"I did wonder if the referee today was influenced by the fact that we got five bookings on Tuesday," said Jackett.

"We have to try to put our house in order and, to be honest, I'd rather leave the comment on the referee to you."

Well, here goes. When Matt Messias booked Huddersfield's Mark Hudson after 16 minutes for a non-event of a tackle on Adrian Forbes, it became clear he would be writing a long report.

Though an elbow was raised, O'Leary's red was unfortunate in that there appeared no malice in his challenge for a loose ball with Jon Worthington.

"He's got a sore chin," laughed Jackson, "but he's fine."

As for Iriekpen's dismissal, Swansea can have little argument if he swore at the referee in the current, Wayne Rooney-inspired clampdown-on-bad-language climate.

What they can grumble about is Messias's failure to notice the ugly challenge on Owain Tudur Jones which upset Iriekpen in the first place.

There was some suggestion, too, that Huddersfield's second goal should have been scratched off because of a foul, but in truth the referee did not dictate the result of the game.

Huddersfield were worthy winners.

They led when Booth headed into an empty net after Willy Gueret could only parry Abbott's shot. Swansea were right in the contest when Trundle, showing no fear after his Tranmere miss, converted the penalty he won following good work from O'Leary and Alan Tate.

Abbott blasted the Terriers back in front before half-time and, despite a spirited opening after the turnaround, that was where visiting hopes began to fade.

Danny Schofield's deflected shot increased Welsh misery and, but for some lax finishing, it would have been worse.

"By the end a true reflection of the game would have been six or seven," Jackson claimed.

Accepting the defeat, his opposite number could not swallow Messias's contribution.

"I thought Kris's sending off was harsh," Jackett lamented, "but I've shown the incident to the ref on the laptop and he says it's violent conduct.

"And he says the tackle on Owain before Izzy's red was a fair one.

"It seems to me that September and October is the suspension season and then for some reason the players and the referees settle down. Maybe some common sense comes in."

Maybe so, but for now more damaging talk of Swansea and indiscipline is on the cards.

THIS WAS a cracking win for Town in an entertaining match crammed with incident and simmering aggression.
Peter Jackson's side moved third in the table thanks to goals from Andy Booth, Pawel Abbott and the excellent Danny Schofield and marked their best start in over a decade with some enterprising play to boot.

The fans warmed to Town's creativity and to their bristling determination in the face of some often grisly tackling from Swansea, which cost them sendings-off for Kristian O'Leary and Ezomo Iriekpen and had referee Matt Messias doling out cards faster than a Las Vegas croupier.

Town, in fact, kept their composure much more effectively than the visitors, who were aiming to build on an opening six-point haul, and the unbeaten Galpharm record of 2005 was never seriously threatened once Abbott had restored the lead five minutes before half time with his third goal in as many games.

There had been an odd scare after Lee Trundle - tripped from behind by Nathan Clarke - had wiped out Booth's 26th-minute opener with a nerveless 30th-minute penalty, but Jackson was never likely to let Town concede a half-time lead created from a solid defensive base.

Martin McIntosh was close to another man-of-the-match peformance at the back, where Clarke also shone, enabling full-backs Andy Holdsworth and Danny Adams - who ploughed through some vicious tackles - to raid forward with menace.

They were helped by the constant grafting of the midfield, in which Schofield was outstanding, and the willingess of Andy Booth to take some hefty punishment from bruising defenders Kevin Austin and Iriekpen, who was eventually given his marching orders for `insulting and abusive' language to the referee in the final minute.

His frustration, to a point, was understandable.

Swansea had gone hell for leather to try and knock Town out of their stride with a mixture of bright counter-attacking and sheer brute force, but they had come unstuck against a better attacking line-up who conceded nothing in the physical stakes.

Swansea did seem to be punished at every turn, too, by the over-zealous Mr Messias, who at least managed to calm a touchline flare-up before half time which had been on the cards from the moment Jackson and Trundle got involved in an early spat by the dugouts.

Thankfully, they were best of mates afterwards and visiting boss Kenny Jackett also did himself enormous credit by taking defeat and the disciplinary fall-out with good grace.

It may not save his side from punishment, however, as they are already facing an FA probe into their record of last season and O'Leary's elbow on Jon Worthington will not look any better on the video than it did at the time.

While lively Town collected three bookings, there was much in their play to suggest they're already in the mood to make sure a top-six chance doesn't slip away this time.

Swansea were put under immediate pressure and, as early as the second minute, Adrian Forbes had to boot a Clarke effort off the line.

Keeper Willy Gueret followed suit when blocking from Booth at close quarters, but the French No1 was guilty of slackness as Schofield set up both Booth and Abbott for their goals.

While Trundle curled a cross shot a yard wide, the only time Paul Rachubka was tested was in the 16th minute, when he beat away a Marc Goodfellow free-kick and blocked the follow-up from Iriekpen.

They were important saves, but Town could easily have gone on to double their tally as Roberto Martinez blocked on the line from the unfortunate Clarke and both Chris Brandon and Gary Taylor-Fletcher had glorious chances to score as the screw was turned near the end.

It was a shame Town didn't add a four-goal haul to those they produced against Hull and Swindon last season, or even a five-strong return to match the one they put past Stockport, but at least the chances are being created with a flourish.

Penalty apart, the defence looked sound, too, thanks to McIntosh, Clarke and Co.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Danny Schofield

TERRIFIC attacking play and, while his goal had a stroke of luck about it, he deserved it. Swansea didn't like him running at their defence and he was trouble throughout

TURNING POINT: Against a very physical Swansea side, it might have been more difficult had Town gone behind, so the double save by Paul Rachubka in the 16th minute to deny Marc Goodfellow's free-kick and the follow up from Ezomo Iriekpen was vital. Town, who started well, went ahead 10 minutes later and then had the edge

How they rated: Paul Rachubka Made a super save from Iriekpen after blocking a Goodfellow free-kick. It enabled Town to then take heart from a lead Rating: 7/10

Andy Holdsworth Impressive when pushing forward in the second half, he sent a raking 79th minute left-foot drive just a foot over the angle Rating: 7/10

Danny Adams Booked for pinning down Trundle at one stage, he certainly took no prisoners in a string of crunching tackles Rating: 8/10

Martin McIntosh Very close to another man-of-the-match show he was excellent at the back. Solid throughout and better by the minute Rating: 8/10

Nathan Clarke Alert at the back on a greasy surface, he was close to scoring on a couple of occasions when up for set pieces Rating: 8/10

Danny Schofield Grabbed his first goal since April with the help of a deflection but it was richly deserved for his all-round influence Rating: 9/10

Jon Worthington Took an elbow in the right eye from O'Leary, who was red carded, and was busy in the hard midfield battle Rating: 7/10

Mark Hudson Unlucky to be booked for an innocuous challenge, he got a good reception when being taken off for his midfield grafting Rating: 7/10

Chris Brandon Could have scored on a last-minute break when Abbott was in support. Again did some very valuable tracking back Rating: 7/10

Andy Booth Scored his first of the season in a stand-out first-half display and took plenty of stick from the Swansea defenders Rating: 8/10

Pawel Abbott Kept his goal-a-game record with a smashing finish and was involved in plenty of creative build-up from Town Rating: 8/10

Spotlight on the ref: MATT MESSIAS gave himself little leeway by booking Mark Hudson for an innocuous sliding challenge on the greasy surface and ended up showing eight yellow cards and two reds. The tally added to the six yellow cards he handed out in last week's game between Peterborough and Chester

Swansea City: Gueret; Tate, Austin, Iriekpen, Ricketts; Forbes (Britton 38), Martinez (Tudor-Jones 85), O'Leary, Goodfellow (Anderson HT); Trundle, Akinfenwa. Subs not used: Murphy, Connor.

KENNY JACKETT could hit red card villain Izzy Iriekpen with a fine as the Swansea City chief vows to get tough with his bad boys.
Iriekpen was one of two Swansea players sent off in a stormy clash at Huddersfield, the defender following midfielder Kris O'Leary for an early shower.

In a fiery contest that saw referee Matt Messias caution eight players - five of them Swans - O'Leary was dismissed after 66 minutes for elbowing Huddersfield skipper Jonathan Worthington in the face.

Iriekpen was then shown a red card in added time for swearing at the fussy South Yorkshire official because he was unhappy with Michael Collins' challenge on the Swans' rookie substitute Owain Tudor Jones.

The angry defender had to be dragged away by team-mate Kevin Austin and was then escorted off the pitch by coach Colin Pascoe.

Jackett thought O'Leary was "unlucky" to receive the fifth red card of his career.

But he was not so impressed with Iriekpen's conduct and is considering taking internal action against the former West Ham player.

Jackett is determined to clamp down on unruly behaviour after seeing his Swans pick up an amazing 12 yellow cards and two red cards in the first three matches of the campaign - and Iriekpen could be the first victim of his 'get tough' policy.

"I will think about taking action against Izzy. A red card for dissent is a tough one for the manager to swallow," he said after Swansea's first League One defeat.

"I will speak to Izzy one-to-one to get his view. The referee said Izzy swore at him. If that's the case then he had no choice but to send him off.

"As far as managers are concerned, bookings and red cards for dissent are the worst."

O'Leary, it seems, does not have to worry about any internal punishment since Jackett described his sending off as "harsh".

"It was two players going for the ball," said Jackett. "They both had to go for it.

"I know Kris very well and he's not the type to go in and 'do' anybody."

Ill-discipline marred last season's promotion campaign with the Swans collecting seven red cards and countless bookings.

And the 2004-05 season ended at Bury with goalkeeper Willy Gueret being handcuffed and bundled into the back of a police van for a public order offence.

With the new season only 270 minutes old, Swansea are already walking a disciplinary tightrope.

O'Leary and Adebayo Akinfenwa were booked in the opening day win over Tranmere.

Then five Swans - O'Leary, Alan Tate, Adrian Forbes, Kevin Mcleod and Robert Martinez - were cautioned in the 2-1 win at Colchester three days later.

And against Huddersfield, another five - Tate, Akinfenwa, Austin, Lee Trundle and Leon Britton - entered the referee's notebook.

Jackett knows he will lose players through suspension unless he gets to grips with his side's poor disciplinary record.

He is already without O'Leary and Iriekpen for the next three matches following their straight red cards.

"If the cards continue to mount up then it will cost us," added Jackett. "We've got to put our own house in order. We have to look at ourselves.

"I thought some of the bookings were harsh - but we must try our best to leave referees alone.

"We have to take responsibility. We will watch a video of this game and see where we were hard done by and where we can improve.

"You put your house in order by assessing things honestly. If I think one of my players was unlucky then I will say so.

"But if I think he put himself in a position he didn't need to be in then I will also say so.

"You must assess things properly, away from the fierce competitiveness of a match day."

Jackett has already ruled out appealing against the two red cards.

"I think it would be futile to appeal. I have the incident involving Kris O'Leary on my laptop.

"I showed it to the referee and he's still happy with his decision. He's also adamant Izzy swore at him.

"I did wonder if the referee was influenced by the fact we picked up five bookings at Colchester.

"But he's made his decisions and he's done his job. We have to accept the red cards along with the bookings."

With O'Leary and Iriekpen suspended, and Forbes joining Garry Monk on the treatment table after limping out of the action in the first-half, Jackett may look to strengthen his squad ahead of Saturday's home match against Doncaster.

"I'll see if it's worth entering the loan market after we find out who is fit and available for the coming week," he said.

"I don't expect Garry to be fit and I don't know if Adrian will be OK.

"We'll know in the next day or two how bad injury his injury is."

In a match that also produced a 20-man ruck to go with the four goals, eight bookings and two dismissals, Terriers striker Andy Booth headed the home side ahead on 26 minutes after Gueret parried Danny Schofield's angled strike.

Trundle levelled from the spot five minutes later after the Swansea marksman was tripped by Nathan Clarke.

But Peter Jackson's men - unbeaten at home since December 18 - were back in front shortly before the break, Pawel Abbott firing past Gueret for his third goal in as many games.

With the visitors down to 10 men, Huddersfield wrapped up the points with 14 minutes left when Schofield's shot was deflected into the net off Austin.

Messias may have done the Swans few favours, but the Yorkshiremen were undoubtedly the better side.

For long spells Jackett's charges struggled to cope with Huddersfield's pace, sharpness and off-the-ball movement.

Up front the powerful combination of Abbott and Booth was too much for the Swansea rearguard.

Winger Schofield tormented Tate and Sam Ricketts as he constantly switched flanks and Worthington won the battle of the midfield schemers with Martinez.

"Huddersfield are a very strong side. They have some quality in their team," said Jackett.

"We are looking at one of the best teams in this division and I felt my side - at times - competed well with them.

"This game was a yardstick for my players, both on and off the ball.

"We kept going when we were down to 10 men. We competed well until they got the third goal. We didn't look out of place and that's a big thing."

So, too, Jackett will reflect, is discipline.

NINE-MAN Swansea City were taught an early League One lesson yesterday as Kenny Jackett's street-fighters were ravaged by a bunch of brutal Terriers.

Swansea midfielder Kris O'Leary and defensive organiser Izzy Iriekpen were both dismissed by ref Matt Messias - who also brandished eight yellow cards - as Huddersfield Town ran riot 3-1.

O'Leary saw red for the fifth time in his career - for violent conduct - as he floored Town skipper Jonathan Worthington with a stray elbow just after the hour. Iriekpen then walked in injury time after allegedly swearing in frustration at the fussy Messias.

He was dragged off the pitch by Kevin Austin and may also face further punishment for not leaving the field in an 'orderly manner.'

Jackett's boys are earning themselves a reputation as League One's bruisers as five Swansea men - Alan Tate, Lee Trundle, Adebayo Akinfenwa, Leon Britton and Austin - were cautioned, adding to the six yellow cards picked up during their opening two games.

The Swans' supremo prides himself on being a disciplinarian but his hard men are already the most ill-disciplined side in their division, if not the whole Football League, so negotiating the higher division isn't his only test.

He accepts Swansea's squad could do with more numbers so the silly suspensions that will rule out O'Leary and Iriekpen will hurt.

Add Andy Robinson's ban, carried over from last term, to the mix and that's three influential men missing for next week's visit of Doncaster.

Jackett has vowed to leave no stone unturned in a bid to get to the bottom of Swansea's behavioural problems as he sifts through the wreckage of their day of shame. Sure, Messias was over-zealous but that's no excuse. The Swans must behave.

Huddersfield were no angels, mind. They played their part in a 20-man brawl just before the break. But aside from the bad blood, this clash was an excellent spectacle.

Huddersfield front men Andy Booth and Pawel Abbott did the first half damage with tricky winger Danny Schofield pulling the strings before completing Swansea's misery himself.

In fact, defensive lapses should have cost Swansea dear in the opening two minutes. Full-back Sam Ricketts was the Swans' saviour as he thwarted hitman Booth. The one-time Premier League striker was set to pull the trigger at close-range from Schofield's teasing low cross when Ricketts nipped in.

And from the resulting corner, Worthington's tepid shot ricocheted to Nathan Clarke but the big defender's flick was weak and Adrian Forbes hacked the ball off the line.

Swansea seemed to have weathered the storm and should have taken the lead but Iriekpen showed why he's a centre-back and not a centre-forward.

A clever Roberto Martinez free-kick was only parried by Town 'keeper Paul Rachubka with the rebound falling to Iriekpen.

From six yards, he couldn't bury it. Huddersfield, however, weren't to be contained for long as Booth showcased his predatory instincts on 27 minutes.

But Swans goalie Willy Gueret won't be happy with his part in the goal. The usually reliable Frenchman could only touch another Schofield cross onto the head of Booth and the former Sheffield Wednesday man stooped to conquer.

Swansea wasted little time in replying - five minutes to be precise - as Trundle made amends for last week's penalty miss to equalise.

The striker weaved in and out of tackles inside the Town box and when Clarke dangled his foot in front of the full-flow Trundle, the striker tumbled. Messias had no doubts.

Trundle wiped away any thoughts of his Tranmere penalty trauma to send Rachubka the wrong way and celebrate his second goal in five days.

Forbes fell victim to the game's rough and tumble nature as the Swans winger hobbled off with a knee injury after clattering into rival Danny Adams.

But Peter Jackson's rampant Terriers kept snapping away at Swansea's defence and it paid off five minutes before the break as targetman Abbott smashed in his third goal in a week.

Schofield was again the threat down the right.

Iriekpen failed to clear his centre and the ball fell to Abbott - and he wasn't about to miss from inside 10 yards.

Clarke had another effort cleared off the line by skipper Martinez before this League One clash bubbled over.

Tempers erupted moments after Tate escaped the second dismissal of his career as the right-back - the last line of defence - hauled back Abbott.

Adams and Trundle clashed on the half-way line - the Huddersfield Town left-back claiming the Swansea striker had elbowed him - and there followed a 20-man scrap.

Both benches joined in the handbags as both protagonists, plus Swans beast Abebayo Akinfenwa, were booked.

The second-half began quietly in comparison. It didn't last long.

The Swans were reduced to 10 men just after the hour when ball-winner O'Leary was sent-off after leading with an elbow into Town captain Worthington. Messias didn't waste time in dismissing Swansea's longest-serving player.

And things went from bad to worse for the visiting Swans as Schofield's 25-yard scorcher confirmed victory for Huddersfield with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining.

The midfielder's shot took a wicked deflection off Kevin Austin and left stranded Gueret wrong-footed.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Chris Brandon squandered late chances for the hosts before the red mist descended for centre-back Iriekpen.

KENNY Jackett will show his battered Swansea City bruisers their Huddersfield video nasty to get their 'house in order.'
Jackett watched in horror as referee Matt Messias dismissed key men Kris O'Leary and Izzy Iriekpen as the Swans were crushed 3-1 at the Galpharm Stadium.

"I felt that Kris' sending-off was harsh," Jackett insisted.

"I felt Kris and Jonathan Worthington were just going for the ball, both players had to go in. I know Kris well and he's not the type of player to do anybody.

"Izzy's dismissal was disappointing as the referee said Izzy swore at him over the decision not to give a foul when Owain Tudur-Jones was challenged. The referee then had no choice.

"I don't think I'll appeal against either of the dismissals as unfortunately the referee is happy with both of his decisions."

The Swans manager added: "I wondered whether the referee may have been influenced by the fact we picked up five bookings on Tuesday at Colchester.

"We've already picked up too many bookings this season. I certainly hope we're not getting a reputation of being an ill-disciplined side. If we are then we must put that right."

Both O'Leary and Iriekpen are set to be banned for three matches while Jackett is still also without suspended midfielder Andy Robinson.

"These suspensions will hurt us. Mind you some of the bookings were very harsh but we have to look at ourselves and put our own house in order and leave the referees alone.

"We've got to adapt to this division to be a force and we'll only do that if we concentrate on the football."

Huddersfield manager Peter Jckson added: "We were expecting a tough game against a tough Swansea side but a true reflection of the score-line would have been six or seven.

"We kept our discipline in a hot-tempered game. The referee's performance will take away from our good display and result."

Swansea had both Kristian O'Leary and Izzy Iriekpen sent off in the second half as they went down 3-1 to Huddersfield at the Galpharm Stadium.
O'Leary saw red in the 67th minute, with the Swans already 2-1 down, for a professional foul and Iriekpen moments before the final whistle and with the match already lost, for violent conduct.

The Swans had won both their opening games and although they fell behind to Andy Booth's 27th-minute header, Lee Trundle pulled them level five minutes later from the spot after being fouled by Nathan Clarke.

Pawel Abbott restored the Terriers' lead, with Danny Schofield's fine strike in the 76th minute making the points safe. Huddersfield climbed to fifth as a result.

Shaun Goater denied Walsall a third successive victory as Southend pinched a point at the Bescot Stadium.

Paul Merson's Saddlers looked set to extend their winning run when Matt Fryatt and Jorge Leitao put them in the ascendancy midway through the second half.

Wayne Gray's header had given Southend a surprise lead after 49 minutes, but Fryatt replied in kind for the home side.

He then set up striker partner Leitao to put Walsall in front, but Goater, on as a late substitute, poached a late leveller, heading in from close range in the 89th minute to secure a 2-2 draw.

Walsall top the early standings by one point from Brentford, who can go top when they face Port Vale in their game in hand on Monday.

Nottingham Forest slipped up at Swindon, whose first points of the season came courtesy of a 2-1 win.

Rory Fallon and Kris Commons traded goals in the first half, with Sean O'Hanlon heading the matchwinner after 73 minutes.

Dean Windass got both goals as Bradford beat 10-man MK Dons at Valley Parade.

He opened the scoring with a penalty in the 27th minute after Ben Chorley was red-carded for chopping down Andy Cooke, before powering home from 18 yards seven minutes into the second half.

Chris Iwelumo's header clinched three points for Colchester at home to Barnsley, while Martin Butler’s close-range finish earned Rotherham bragging rights after their clash with Chesterfield.

Hartlepool scored just seconds before half-time through Jon Daly to beat Doncaster 1-0 at Belle Vue, and goals from Brian Stock and James Hayter - his a penalty - captured maximum reward for Bournemouth, 2-0 winners at home to early strugglers Bristol City.

Yeovil drew 1-1 at home against Blackpool, whose opener from John Murphy was cancelled out by Kevin Amankwaah in first-half stoppage time.

The outcome was the same at Glanford Park, where Scunthorpe left it late against Gillingham.

Former Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler had given the visitors a 61st-minute lead, but within a minute of Darren Byfield being sent off for a second bookable offence, Scunthorpe's Richard Hinds had taken advantage of his side having an extra man by converting Peter Beagrie's cross.

ROBERTO MARTINEZ insists the Swansea City players are not getting carried away by their winning start to the League One campaign.
Kenny Jackett's men travel to Huddersfield today with a 100 per cent record after beating Tranmere at the New Stadium and Colchester at Layer Road.

Those back-to-back wins have created a buzz in the city and fuelled talk that the Swans could mount a promotion challenge.

But midfield maestro Martinez warned the Swans faithful that genuine promotion contenders emerge in February and March and not during the first month.

"We've had a very good start. We knew we had to put in a lot of effort in every game, and that's what we've done," said the Swans' Spanish captain.

"I understand why the fans are excited, for a long time they didn't have much to cheer.

"But it's a long competition. You don't win anything in a week or two. Teams reach their peak in February and March and that's what we're working towards.

"People may be talking about us going for promotion. You can't stop that sort of talk.

"But I can guarantee you that it will not affect the players or the staff at Swansea City. Our work is not going to change because of what people are saying.

"We're pleased to be up there after getting six points from the first two games. But we need to improve in many departments and we're conscious of that.

"We must carry on working hard and trying to improve, and leave the talking to others."

The Swans were one of three sides to win their opening two fixtures - Walsall and Oldham, who were in action at Tranmere last night - the others.

"We knew we were good enough for League One. It suits the players we have at the club," added Martinez.

"People don't realise League Two is one of the hardest leagues in the world. It's very physical and there's a lot of route-one football. Last season we were trying to play football the right way in the wrong league.

"We're in League One now and I think the football in this division is better for us. But you will see the full potential of this squad if we can make the next step and win promotion to the Championship."

The Swans will do well to make it three wins out of three at the Galpharm Stadium since the Terriers are unbeaten at home in 2005.

Bradford were the last side to leave Huddersfield with a win on December 18. Since then Peter Jackson's side have won 10 and drawn four of their 14 matches at their impressive home.

"Huddersfield have a fantastic record at home. They beat Bristol City on Tuesday, a fantastic result for them. That shows their potential," said Martinez.

"But we have to play these kind of teams and, if you want to be successful, you have to go to these places and perform well.

"We don't have anyone to fear. We're going there with confidence. If we perform, then we can get a good result."

Martinez said the dramatic last-day victory over Hull in May 2003 played a massive role in shaping the club's bright future.

Swansea, with Martinez pulling the strings in midfield, avoided the dreaded drop into the Conference by beating Hull 4-2 in a nail-biting clash. Since then, the Swans have not only won promotion but have left the decaying Vetch for a state-of-the-art stadium.

"Who knows what would have happened had we lost that game against Hull. Look at Exeter, who went down that season, and the situation they're in," he said.

"The Hull game was amazing. I will remember it for the rest of my life. It had everything.

"We suffered a lot that season. I had a lot of sleepless nights. But we stayed up. Everyone tried to improve. The directors created stability upstairs and gave us the base for people downstairs to work on.

"Swansea is a sleeping giant which needed to be woken up. But it's no good being happy with what we've achieved so far."

Huddersfield Town - Swansea City

Probable: Rachubka, Holdsworth, N Clarke, McIntosh, Adams, Schofield, Worthington, Hudson, Brandon, Booth, Abbott. Subs: Senior, T Clarke, Collins, Carss, Taylor-Fletcher.

Player to watch - Pawel Abbott: The Polish-born striker has become a Huddersfield favourite with 33 goals in 59 league outings for The Terriers.

Probable: Gueret, Tate, Iriekpen, Austin, Ricketts, Forbes, Martinez, O'Leary, Goodfellow, Trundle, Akinfenwa. Subs (from): Murphy, Connor, McLeod, Britton, Tudur Jones, Anderson.

Player to watch - Adrian Forbes: An excellent goal-scoring display against Colchester in midweek and looks capable of causing damage.

Form guide: Huddersfield opened the season with defeat at Nottingham Forest, but recovered with a midweek victory at home to Bristol City. Two wins out of two for Swansea.

Referee: Matt Messias (Yorkshire).

Bookie's odds: Ladbrokes: Huddersfield 8-11; Swansea 3-1; draw 12-5.
Mario Risoli's prediction: Huddersfield are unbeaten on their own ground in 2005 - a first defeat of the season looms for Swansea.

Six points from two games is all anyone can ask of a newly-promoted team and Swansea will be hoping to maintain their early season momentum when they visit Huddersfield tomorrow. The Yorkshiremen, who secured a last-minute victory against Bristol City on Tuesday remain fourth favourites (10-1 with BetEuro.co.uk) to take the League One title, but one or two punters have spent the week examining Swansea's odds too - they are 22-1 with Betdirect.

Swansea can be backed at an eye-popping 3-1 with online bookmakers Canbet.com and Premierbet.com to secure victory tomorrow, while the odds on the draw are offered at 12-5 by Ladbrokes. Either outcome would represent a good day's work for the Welshmen, particularly as Huddersfield are 9-10 favourites with Centrebet.

It was encouraging to see Lee Trundle wear his scoring boots against Colchester and he is 13-2 with Bet365 to find the net first tomorrow.

This will be another stern test for Swansea against a side that missed out on a play-off place by a point last term.

VCBet marks Swansea at 9-1 to win 1-0, although more considered souls may prefer either Stan James's 9-1 chalked against a goalless draw, or else Bet365's 11-2 for it to end 1-1. Another online firm, Sporting Odds, has opened a handicap market where the visitors are 9-10 to win given the benefit of a one-goal start.

In the half-time/full-time market, Betdirect offers an intriguing 9-2 against both halves ending in stalemate, while Ladbrokes has an attractive 9-1 available for Swansea to win following a drawn first period. Those who fancy the single version of this bet can back Swansea to win the first half at 7-1 with VCBet.

Odds supplied by Betrescue.com.

Huddersfield Town boss Peter Jackson says his side are ready and up for the Swansea City challenge tomorrow. The Terriers picked up their first win of the season on Tuesday night at the Galpharm Stadium when they beat likely promotion candidates Bristol City 1-0 with a goal from Pawel Abbott.

And, after their opening day defeat at Nottingham Forest last Saturday, Jackson is hoping that his side will be able to preserve their unbeaten home record in 2005.

"Our home form since Christmas has been excellent and we want to keep that going as long as we can, so it is important we get the full backing of our fans," said Jackson.

"There will be a big atmosphere here at the Galpharm because Swansea have started well with two straight wins.

"We are looking forward to it and can't wait to get cracking. We're up for it already."

Terriers' Tuesday night goal-hero Abbott is another who is looking forward to the visit of the Swans.

"The three points on Tuesday night have really set everything up for Swansea," Abbott added.

"I think against Bristol we showed the quality and battling spirit we've got in squad."

The Terriers will be without right-back David Mirfin. He tore a hamstring during their win over the Robins.

The 6ft 3in defender is likely to be out for three weeks and is set to be replaced by in the side by Andy Holdsworth.

Holdsworth came on for Mirfin on Tuesday night and set up Abbott for the all-important goal.

Huddersfield have an experienced strike force with new signing Gary Taylor-Fletcher coming in from Lincoln City and former Tottenham and Sheffield Wednesday hitman Andy Booth back at the club where he began his career.

Jackson brought in three new faces over the summer - Mark Hudson and Martin McIntosh joining Taylor-Fletcher - as he tries to fire Huddersfield to the Championship.

Last season the Terriers finished agonisingly close to the play-offs - one point behind sixth-placed Hartlepool United.

The previous year they won promotion from Division Three after bouncing back up following their relegation from the Second Division in 2003.

Tickets for Swansea's Carling Cup tie at Reading on August 23 go on sale at the stadium ticket office on Monday at 11.30am.

Swansea City return to Huddersfield Town tomorrow aiming to eclipse one of their most painful recent memories. The club's last trip to the Galpharm Stadium - or the McAlpine as it was then - goes down as one of the bleakest days in the three-and-half-year reign of the club's current owners.

Save for the worry of a close encounter with the Conference in 2003, in fact, the mauling at the jaws of the Terriers may well be the nadir.

By April 2004, after all, Huw Jenkins, Leigh Dineen, David Morgan and Co thought they had put Swansea back on an even keel after the walking thunderstorm that was Tony Petty had passed.

They thought the embarrassingly one-sided defeats which had been a hallmark of their first full season at the helm were in the past.

And then a side still reeling from the loss of their leader took to the field in West Yorkshire.

Brian Flynn had recently been removed as director of football, and a team featuring three players who should again line up in Swansea's starting XI tomorrow got that rabbit-in-the-headlights feeling.

"It was like men against boys," Jenkins remembers grimly.

"It was a poor performance - really we were totally overrun.

"Hopefully we can put that right and show how far we've come since then tomorrow."

Under the stewardship of youth boss Alan Curtis and physio Richie Evans, Swansea were thumped 3-0 - and that was kind to the visitors.

The club's hierarchy could be seen having an emergency board meeting in the directors' box long after the stadium had emptied that evening.

Just over a week later, Kenny Jackett was unveiled as the club's new manager.

"Ever since Kenny joined us, he has worked hard to make sure we are physically able to compete with sides, which is what we failed to do so dramatically that day at Huddersfield," Jenkins added.

"I think we proved that we can now do that at Colchester on Tuesday night.

"It was quite clear that we were far stronger physically than they were and as a result the style Kenny wants to play shone through.

"We have had enough players who can play for some time - we did in that game at Huddersfield - but before you can outplay anybody, you have to match them for physical strength.

"Hopefully we'll win both the battles this weekend."

Swansea's chairman reckons the team's performance was "spot on" at Layer Road in midweek.

Yet just like the manager, Jenkins is definitely not getting carried away after two wins from two on the club's return to League One.

"It's an encouraging start and naturally we're all delighted," he added.

"But I think in every game we watch, Kenny and I look for things we can improve on.

"Coming away from the Tranmere game and from Colchester, we all felt there were areas where we could get better.

"Hopefully, through a combination of the players learning along the way and a couple of additions being made to the squad, we will be able to do that."

The suggestion is that after a summer of trials and tribulations in the transfer market, the much-wanted new faces could arrive before the transfer window shuts in a couple of weeks' time.

For all the bluster Gavin Williams may prompt in The New Stadium's stands, the acquisition of a player of his calibre would undoubtedly improve the quality of Jackett's squad.

Even if West Ham's Cardiff fan does not end up in South West Wales, the fact Swansea are targeting performers in his bracket must be a positive sign.

There are others, after all.

Get a couple of them, reckons Jenkins, and the Championship will be reachable.

"We don't want these two wins to be a flash in the pan," he declared.

"Our aim is to keep on winning more games than we lose through the season and, if we do that, we will be up there competing for a play-off spot.

"The top six has always been the target for our first year in this league."

Achieve that and Swansea will be probably be battling it out with Huddersfield for throughout the season, not just for an hour and a half tomorrow afternoon.

Peter Jackson's team were promoted not long after trouncing Swansea 17 months ago, and many believe the West Yorkshire outfit will be on the up again in 2006.

"They are a strong side and getting anything up there will be good news for us," Jenkins said.

"But with the crowds we're getting, we're realising just how big this club can be.

"What we have to do is make sure the players help us fulfil that potential."

Swansea City are waiting for the green light from Premiership West Ham to splash the cash on Gavin Williams. And it is understood the former Yeovil player, remembered in these parts for his Ayatollah goal celebration at Vetch Field, is keen on a move to The New Stadium if the two clubs can agree a deal.

Williams, 25, is ready to move amid fears he will play only a bit-part role at Upton Park this season following the Hammers' promotion to the top flight.

It is also believed Williams's partner, who like him hails from Merthyr, is anxious to return to Wales having failed to settle in London.

Kenny Jackett, anxious to strengthen his midfield despite Swansea's flying start to life in League One, may have to stump up a six-figure fee for a player who cost West Ham £250,000 last winter.

''Kenny has made his thoughts on Gavin quite clear and we have been told that he would like to come and play for us,'' said Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins.

''He and is wife are from South Wales and he wants to play first-team football. He is not getting a game at West Ham and he wants to join us because he can see we're developing, but the ball is really in West Ham's court.

''Kenny has spoken to Alan Pardew, but they haven't really been very forthcoming as yet.

''They said Gavin wasn't available at the moment, but that could change.

''I think it's a case of seeing what players they manage to get in between now and the end of the month.

''They're keeping their options open for now and that is understandable - not many managers like to release players without covering themselves first.''

Jenkins stressed that Swansea's search for new faces has taken them well beyond East London.

''All summer we have been trying to find players who will not only be able to get us out of League One, but also serve us well in the Championship should we get promoted over the next couple of years,'' he added.

''I'm confident there will be something happening before the end of August.''

Jackett, meanwhile, led those players already at his disposal on their second gruelling away trip inside three days this morning.

The Swansea boss is poised to field the same side which made it six points from six at Colchester in midweek with Kevin Austin expected to play despite collecting an ankle injury at Layer Road.

''It's not easy having two away games in a short space of time like this,'' said Jackett, whose players arrived back from Essex at 4am on Wednesday and were back on the bus first thing today.

''It's vitally important that we get our preparation right. It's all very well giving your all, but if you're energy levels are five per cent down it can make a massive difference.''

Chances are Swansea will need to be at their best to stop a well-fancied Huddersfield side unbeaten on their won patch in 2005.

"I'm told the last time we went there, which was just before I came to the club, it was a very hard game (Swansea lost 3-0) and I'm certain we can expect the same this weekend," Jackett added.

"But we've certainly improved over the past 17 months - we've already shown we can compete at this level this season - and the challenge now is to keep that going."

WALES rookie Sam Ricketts admits he is dreaming about facing England - and pitting his wits against Real Madrid superstar David Beckham.

Swansea City's Wales full-back is in the frame to face Sven-Goran Eriksson's side in next month's World Cup qualifier because Ben Thatcher, Wales' first choice left-back, is suspended.

Ex-Telford player Ricketts will have the job of snuffing out England's £17m a-year skipper Beckham if Wales chief John Toshack picks him for the Group Six clash.

And that will mean a battle between the highest-paid footballer in the world and someone who was plying his trade in the Conference only 19 months ago.

"I never take being named in the Wales squad for granted. Every time John Toshack names his squad, I'm hoping my name is still in it," said Ricketts, who won the first of his three caps in the 2-0 friendly win over Hungary in February.

"But, obviously, it would be a dream to play against England. There's a long way to go before that game is played, so I've got to keep my form up.

"First I hope to be included in the squad, then I hope to make the team."

Ricketts, named in Toshack's squad for Wednesday's friendly against Slovenia at Swansea's New Stadium, must fancy his chances of taking on Beckham and friends.

Manchester City defender Thatcher is ruled out of the England match as he serves the last of his three-match ban for a stamping offence against Poland.

"Someone asked me whose shirt I would go for if I played against England," said the 24-year-old.

"I wouldn't know where to go. They've got a squad full of great players and international stars.

"Playing against England and Beckham is something I never thought would happen a year or two ago.

"I won't be nervous. I don't suffer with nerves any more. I know what I'm doing now. I'm settled in my position and I know what my job is."

Born in Aylesbury, Ricketts qualifies for Wales through his grandparents. Even though English blood runs through his family, the Swansea full-back insists the Ricketts clan will be shouting for Wales on September 3.

"My mum's side is Welsh, but everyone in my family will be Welsh that day," he said. "They will all be supporting Wales."

With Thatcher suspended, Ricketts played in the two World Cup qualifiers against Austria in March.

But he expects to make way for the former Wimbledon, Tottenham and Leicester man for the Slovenia match since the ban does not apply to friendlies.

"I imagine Ben will play. He's a Premiership player. He plays in the top division in this country and in probably the best league in the world," he said.

"I've just got to try and stay in the squad and make who plays at left-back a hard choice for the manager," said Ricketts, who has filled both full-back positions for his club. "Playing for Wales is a big jump for me, especially last season because I was in League Two.

"When you're playing with and against top players you've got to raise your own standards.

"This season I'm in League One, so my everyday standard of football has gone up. But playing international football is still a big ask for me. It probably won't be until I've retired that I look back and say, 'I played with him and him.'

"At the moment I'm playing so many games and going here and there that I'm not able to take what's happening to me in."

Lee Trundle heads for Huddersfield on Saturday with a weight off his shoulders having rediscovered the goalscoring touch. Swansea City's star striker ended a seven-game search for a league goal stretching back to early April with the winner in Tuesday's 2-1 success at Colchester United.

Trundle admits the drought should have ended last weekend, when he missed a penalty and passed up another golden opportunity in the narrow win over Tranmere.

''I was annoyed with myself last Saturday,'' he said.

''They were chances I would normally have taken so, although I went home happy with the result, I was unhappy with my own performance.

''The goal at Colchester was very similar to the one I missed late on in the Tranmere game, but that's what being a centre-forward is all about. You just have to keep your head up if things go wrong and make sure you take the chance the next time.

''It's nice to have done that now because the pressure builds if you go a few games without scoring. As it is, I can go to Huddersfield and relax.''

And should Swansea get another penalty at the renamed Galpharm Stadium this weekend, there seems little doubt that Trundle, scorer of seven spot-kicks last season, will be taking it.

''I didn't catch it right last Saturday, but I've been working on the penalties in training, on different strikes in different corners, and I'm confident I'll score the next one.'' he added.

''Maybe people have become aware that I usually go to the same corner, but I've got a range of penalties now and I'll be mixing it up.''

Boss Kenny Jackett hailed Trundle's blossoming partnership with summer recruit Bayo Akinfenwa as a ''potent attack'' after Swansea's Layer Road win.

The duo will lead the line once more against a Terriers side being widely tipped to have a major say in League One this season.

''Bayo's looking like a good signing already,'' Trundle enthused.

''He takes a bit of a battering up there and takes some of the pressure off me. I set a goal up for him against Tranmere and he set me up against Colchester so, hopefully, it's going to be a good partnership.''

With his eve-of-season prediction that Swansea can compete for a top-six place looking all the more plausible two games in, Trundle added: ''The confidence is even greater now.

''Huddersfield is going to be a tough one, but we've already beaten one of the highly-fancied sides in Tranmere and avoided a banana skin at Colchester, so we'll just go out and play.''

John Toshack has told Swansea City's Sam Ricketts he can be proud of the way he has started his Wales career after naming the 23-year-old in the squad to face Slovenia in Swansea next week. The former Oxford United full-back is set to win his fourth cap after being included in the 23-man squad in action at The New Stadium Swansea next Wednesday.

Ricketts is joined in the squad by his predecessor at Swansea - Richard Duffy.

The 19-year-old defender is one of three new faces in Toshack's squad to face Slovenia ahead of next month's World Cup qualifying clashes against England and Poland.

Duffy, on-loan at Coventry City from Premiership side Portsmouth, is joined by Swansea target Gavin Williams of West Ham and Ipswich goalkeeper Lewis Price as the other uncapped players.

"Duffy impressed us in San Sebastien and now he will be playing regularly for Coventry City - that is the reason he is in the squad," Toshack said.

"Sam Ricketts has improved with every game he has played for Wales and with Ben Thatcher suspended for three matches we needed somebody to come in.

"We looked at Sam and Leicester's Peter Gilbert, but Sam deserves to be involved."

Toshack has also named Manchester City's Thatcher in the 23, despite not being available for England game on September 3.

Thatcher picked up a three-match ban in the World Cup qualifiers after being found guilty of stamping on Poland's Kamil Kosowski in October.

But the suspension does not cover international friendlies.

The international at the new 20,500 all-seater will be Wales's first senior visit to Swansea since 1988, when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Finland.

That was played at Vetch Field, but this match at the impressive new arena at Morfa could be the first of many in the city in years to come.

"This is a super stadium - it really is and I hope that the Swansea public come out and support the team," Toshack said.

"I have very happy memories of my time here in Swansea when I took up my first managerial post 27 years ago and I have had some unforgettable times."

Despite the England match coming less than a month after the clash with Slovenia, Toshack insists this will not be merely act as a warm-up.

And while admitting that Wales can no longer qualify for the World Cup in Germany next summer, the former Real Madrid boss is hoping to use the next 12 months to get his side ready for the 2008 European Championship qualifiers.

"This game is by no means a warm-up for the England game - we are playing a different type of side at a different stadium," Toshack added.

"While we can no longer qualify for the World Cup, we must use the next 12 months to make sure that we are ready for the European qualifiers next September."

The Wales boss refused to comment on the Robbie Savage saga, interrupting questions about the Blackburn Rovers midfielder at yesterday's press conference at The New Stadium Swansea with a forthright "no comment whatsoever".

Mark Pritchard has been called into in the Wales Under-21 squad to face Malta at Llanelli's Stebonheath Park on Tuesday night. The Swansea striker would win his first Under-21 cap if given a run in Brian Flynn's side.

KENNY JACKETT is tipping Lee Trundle to have a big impact in League One this season - claiming he's whipped the striker into the best shape of his career.
Swansea's star man opened his goal-scoring account for the season on Tuesday night to give Jackett's side a superb 2-1 win at Colchester that maintained their fantastic start to the campaign.

And, despite doubt in some quarters that Trundle can repeat his 23-goal heroics of last season, Jackett is convinced Trundle can take League One by storm.

"I've no doubt Lee will have a big effect in this division," said Jackett. "I'm confident he'll have a good year because he's in excellent shape. He's lost weight and his fitness has improved.

"If you look at last season, it was pretty much the first time in his career that he played a full year.

"Generally in his career what's happened is he's had a purple patch, got injured - perhaps done his hamstring - and then got back to have another purple patch.

"I can't say I've taught Lee to play - he's too long in the tooth for that and I've only been around him a year or so. But what I did do for him last year was get him fit and available to be playing more than he has been previously in his career."

As soon as he took charge at Swansea, Jackett placed great emphasis on ensuring players' fitness and diet was correct, and Trundle felt the effects last season by playing 42 of the club's 46 league matches.

And this summer the 28-year-old whipped himself into even better shape with a gruelling fitness programme that shaved a further 11lbs off his weight.

Though his finishing touch deserted him on occasions during the 1-0 opening-day win against Tranmere, Trundle looked sharper than ever as he struck a classy winning goal at Layer Road.

Jackett hopes there's plenty more where that came from. "Last season it made a big difference to us that Lee was fit and available for the whole year and, though I don't want to tempt fate, hopefully that'll be the case again this year," Jackett said.

"If I can do a similar thing with Lee this year, getting him mentality right and his training programme right, I've got no doubt he'll have another big impact on what we manage to achieve."

Two games into the season and Jackett can have few complaints with either of his two frontmen.

Summer signing Adebayo Akinfenwa got up and running with a goal against Tranmere, while Trundle showed no ill effects from his penalty miss last weekend as he produced a good overall performance to compliment his strike at Colchester.

"It's good when your strikers get off the mark early in the season as it relieves the pressure on them and helps breed confidence," Jackett said.

"I never had any doubt Lee would score. He had a few chances against Tranmere, but, for one reason or another, the ball didn't go in. The time to worry is when you don't get any chances."

Jackett will hope for more Trundle magic when Swansea continue their League One campaign at Huddersfield on Saturday.

But the Swansea manager, looking for improvements even after two impressive opening victories, wants his attacking players to show a little more bravery in the final third.

"In the second half against Colchester I thought there were certain opportunities we could've made more of - we let them off the hook a bit," he said.

"I wanted people like Marc Goodfellow and Kevin McLeod to show a bit more confidence in themselves and commit the last defender.

"As someone who used to be a defender, I know that when a winger is flying at you and crosses the ball early, it lets you off. But we've got people who can take on defenders and come out on top."

Life in a new division remains all about discovery, but as the space shuttle came home, Swansea City got lift-off in League One. If opening-day victory over Tranmere Rovers was the launchpad, Kenny Jackett's men took flight last night as an away success over Colchester United made it two wins from two.

The sonic booms are still some way off, but Swansea are beginning to make a noise in English football's third tier.

Maybe, just maybe, they will have something to say when the race for a place in Championship climaxes in nine months time.

That is a long way off, but at least Jackett's side are out of the blocks.

"It's a fantastic start," the Swansea boss conceded.

Though they actually won their first away fixture of last season's promotion campaign, the mood just now seems some way off the gloom of this time 12 months ago.

Back then Jackett was being barracked by his own fans. But at Layer Road last night, the 400 committed souls who had made the long trek to Essex were singing his praises.

The 16,000 in attendance over the weekend who did not make it to the other side of Britain might be thinking League One is easy.

Not Jackett.

"The first two games have told me that we're going to have to fight tooth and nail for every point we get in this division," he went on.

"We've beaten Tranmere at home and Colchester away, but we know just how hard they've been.

"There were very few easy games last season - maybe Kidderminster away when Andy Robinson came on and got a couple of goals is one that sticks in the memory.

"It looks to me like it's going to be just the same this season, except it'll be even harder to get points.

"The players in this division are more athletic and we've been flat out to get anything in the two games we've had so far."

Jackett is right to be cautious.

He is apparently still looking to strengthen his squad, and the general consensus is that a couple of impressive additions are required if Swansea are to continue to thrive over the months ahead.

All of one-23rd into a new campaign, talk of going up is folly.

But positive starts are invariably welcome, and the encouraging thing is that the players already on Swansea's books are finding their feet at a higher level.

For the most part, Izzy Iriekpen and Kevin Austin stood up admirably to the challenge laid down by the giant Chris Iwelumo and the gifted Neil Danns at Layer Road.

Adrian Forbes and Marc Goodfellow were threatening on the Swansea flanks, while Lee Trundle and Bayo Akinfenwa already look like blossoming into a fruitful strike partnership.

"There were some very good individual performances out there tonight," Jackett said.

"I was pleased with the work ethic of the whole team and it's nice to get two goals away from home."

Still Jackett, conscious that the only prizes dished out in August are at cricket dinners, offered not so much as a hint that he will soon be getting carried away.

"We've had two tough ones, and it looks like there are going to be many more hard games to come," he added ominously.

According to the bookmakers, last night's fixture was one of the easiest on Swansea's list for 2005-6.

Yet Colchester asked plenty of questions of Jackett's men, particularly in a frantic spell early in the second half when Willy Gueret's goal came under attack.

The home side's threat in the first half had been minimal.

Gueret had one awkward moment when the menacing Iwelumo came calling, while the French goalkeeper dealt comfortably enough with Kem Izzet's smart shot.

Opposite number Aidan Davison had had only one Trundle effort to deal with by the time Swansea grew in confidence around the half hour.

But he was powerless to stop Forbes's fine backpost header after Akinfenwa had flicked on Alan Tate's long throw.

The visitors' advantage might easily have been doubled before the turnaround: first Davison pushed Goodfellow's drive around the post, then sighed with relief after Akinfenwa's tap-in was scratched off by the referee.

The veteran keeper got the benefit of the doubt when Forbes's aerial challenge had left him clutching at thin air.

That decision could have proved pivotal - and looked like doing so as Colchester stormed back into the contest and duly equalised through Greg Halford after substitute Gareth Williams's shot was parried.

But just as Jackett feared the worst, a hopeful ball into the opposite penalty area allowed Akinfenwa to tee up Trundle with the sort of chance he fluffed late on against Tranmere.

There was no such wastefulness this time - last season's top scorer toe-poked home after some nifty footwork had taken him away from Phil Parkinson's defence.

Swansea had 22 minutes to hold out for a victory, and they did it without any major scares.

Yet still Jackett was not especially happy.

"I don't think I'm hard to please," he said.

"I like watching my football and I like analysing it, and I just think there are things we could have done better.

"In the second half especially, we had opportunities to go on and score more goals but we let them off the hook easily.

"With the players we have got - people like Kevin McLeod, Marc Goodfellow and Lee Trundle - we have the ability and we have to use it.

"We needed to take the right option and be a bit more incisive when we had the chance.

"I'm certain we can do better."

As one of only three sides in the division with two wins from two, that has to be good news.

Adrian Forbes has hit out at the pundits writing Swansea City off as League One relegation fodder after Kenny Jackett's men made it six points from six at Colchester last night. Forbes sent Swansea on the way to victory at Layer Road with Lee Trundle sealing the 2-1 win after Greg Halford's equaliser.

And the former Luton winger admits he is savouring the chance to make the critics look stupid.

''Everyone was talking over the weekend about Tranmere being the favourites to go up while Swansea were in for a brief stay in the division and we're already proving them wrong,'' Forbes said.

''I saw one on Teletext which said Swansea would finish 23rd and I was thinking 'why, give us a chance.'

''People are saying we just scraped up from League Two. We didn't scrape up at all, we were right up there all season and I believe the four best sides in that division ended up getting promoted.

''I see no reason why we shouldn't do well in this league this year.''

Forbes admitted the early-season table, which shows Swansea are one of only three sides with two wins under their belts, counts for almost nothing.

But he went on: ''We've only had two games, but I think we've already proved that we're no pushovers and that we can play football in this league.

''It does grate when you hear people writing us off. Nobody has seen us play at this level and they should give us a chance to see what we have got to offer.

''Hopefully they will see we've got two wins and think they were a bit eager to write off our chances.

''We haven't come up a division to muck about and be an also-ran team. We've come here to push for promotion - that's our objective for the season and I truly believe we are capable of doing something.

''We competed with and beat one of the best sides on Saturday and now we've come to Colchester, a club who have been in this league for many years, and won 2-1.

''That's a great start for the lads, now it's up to us as players to keep up that form and prove those pundits wrong.''

Forbes's first goal of the season - his third in four league games after his heroics at the end of last term - put Swansea ahead 10 minutes before the break in Essex last night.

Bayo Akinfenwa had an effort disallowed for pushing before setting up Trundle for the winner 23 minutes from the end.

''We know we're solid at the back and we know we have players who will get goals, so I'm sure we'll be okay,'' Forbes added.

Despite his current hot streak, the 26-year-old concedes he may not be on the scoresheet all that often this season.

He said: ''I think I've finally accepted that I'm not going to be playing up front now. I'll leave Bayo, Trunds and Marc Goodfellow to do the nice stuff, and I'll do the horrible donkey work, putting in tackles and being a pest.''

YOU just can't keep a star striker down for long, can you? Unable to find the target in the rousing opening-day win over Tranmere, the irrepressible Lee Trundle didn't need much longer to find his way back onto the scoresheet as he struck the goal that continued Swansea's dream start to life in League One.

Adrian Forbes had put the Swans in front on 35 minutes before Colchester hit back through Greg Halford in the 67th minute.

But Trundle - 23 goals last season and now up and running this year - restored Swansea's advantage just 60 seconds later with a beautiful toe-poke past keeper Aidan Davison.

Two games down and two victories - it's easy this League One lark, isn't it? Well not quite.

As with the gutsy performance that yielded a 1-0 win over Tranmere, Swansea had to scrap and fight for the three points again last night.

There was more superb defending from the visitors, who edged in front despite having spent much of the first 30 minutes being pushed backwards as Colchester hogged most of the early possession.

Alan Tate, in from the start for the injured Garry Monk, found Adebayo Akinfenwa from a throw-in and the impressive Forbes converted the striker's flick-on with a looping 10-yard header.

Colchester gained a deserved equaliser on 67 minutes when Halford drove home a rebound after Willy Gueret had saved an initial shot from Sam Stockley.

But Trundle - who else? - was to have the last laugh.

Whereas Swansea had rung in the new season with that impressive victory over Tranmere, Colchester were looking to recover from a spluttering opening-day defeat at Gillingham.

There were more contrasts to observe in Essex. United's antiquated Layer Road ground provided an early reminder of the Vetch Field home Swansea departed at the end of last season.

Compact and with a smaller pitch, it was a notably more cramped environment than the smart and spacious surroundings the Swans have been enjoying at their new Morfa residence.

Still, if Swansea are to prosper in League One this season, it is very much this kind of bread-and-butter test that they'll need to have the stomach for.

Tranmere provided the Swans with a pretty brutal introduction to League One life on Saturday and it soon became clear Colchester weren't going to give them an easy ride either.

The home side, enjoying the bulk of early possession, stubbornly refused to let Swansea get into a rhythm.

Whenever a Swans player ventured into opposition territory, a blue and white shirt was quickly bearing down to dispossess them. Colchester had several early glimpses of Willy Gueret's goal, Kemi Izzet going close with a speculative 30-yard lob and Chris Iwelumo spinning a header inches wide inside the opening 20 minutes.

But the Swans - just as they had done for long periods of the Tranmere game - defended resolutely, refusing to buckle under the sustained pressure Colchester were exerting.

And their hard work was to pay off at the other end as Forbes opened his account for the 2005-06 campaign after Swansea had finally managed to settle on the ball.

There was more to come, Marc Goodfellow forcing a fine save from Aidan Davison on 40 minutes with his weaker right foot.

Then Forbes put the ball into the back of the net for a second time, only to see the goal disallowed when referee Jarnail Singh - despite bizarrely pointing towards the halfway line - ruled that Akinfenwa had impeded Davison.

Colchester tried to respond in kind, hustling their way forward and edging closer to the target when Izzet brought a diving save from Gueret with a sweeping 25-yard drive.

The Swans keeper held his breath again four minutes after the interval when Halford shaved the crossbar with a rasping 20-yard free-kick.

Former Blackburn midfielder Neil Danns had Gueret beaten on 65 minutes, but, luckily for the Swans keeper, the piercing 25-yard drive rattled the right-hand post.

Gueret was not so lucky two minutes later. The Frenchman was able to repel Stockley's shot from the left-hand edge of the box, but not Halford's follow-up from the opposite side.

But Trundle would enjoy the final say. He leapt to get a head on a long punt out of defence, but the ball looped over him.

Akinfenwa, though, was well-placed to mop up and thread the ball back into Trundle's path. The Swans striker then chauffeured the ball some 15 yards before deliciously poking the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of Davison's goal with his left boot.

Swansea, defending desperately in the dying stages, survived a scrappy finish in which Roberto Martinez, Kris O'Leary and substitute Kevin McLeod were all cautioned.

KENNY JACKETT has challenged his promotion-chasing Swansea City side to create one of the best away records in League One.

Jackett believes Swansea's performance away from home this season will have a "massive" bearing on their bid to finish inside the top six.

And, after the encouraging opening-day home victory against title hopefuls Tranmere Rovers, the Swans boss wants his men to lay down a marker as they embark on a difficult week on the road.

Swansea's promotion credentials face a stiff examination as they travel to Colchester United tonight before heading north to face Huddersfield Town at the weekend.

"It's a testing week for us and I'm going to find out a lot about my players over the next few days," said Jackett.

"It would be a terrific achievement to get through this week unbeaten. That really would lay down a marker.

"Everyone's after the same thing, but what we want this season is to have one of the best away records in the division.

"We've got to be strong on the road as well as at home.

"We won as many away games as anyone else last season and it would be lovely if that were the case again this year.

"Away form is going to have a massive bearing on where we end up - even on our belief as a club that we can have a successful season at this level.

"League One is a competitive division and it looks quite tight at the moment. It looks as though everyone will take points off everyone else.

"It's important we're strong at home, but the commitment and work-rate will need to continue away from home.

"Brian Little (Tranmere manager) certainly seems to believe away form is the key to this league and his side finished third last season, close behind Luton and Hull."

Jackett has told his side they must reproduce the same level of industry they displayed in their 1-0 win over Tranmere when they arrive at Colchester's Layer Road.

He has scant regard for the opinion of the bookmakers, who installed Phil Parkinson's side as second favourites to be relegated this season.

"I watched a video of the Tranmere game and it struck me that our effort and our work-rate in that game was huge," he said.

"We need to maintain that. We need to try to set some standards early in the season that we can carry right through.

"But Colchester is a tough place for us to go. I've been to Layer Road as a coach with both Watford and Queens Park Rangers, and Colchester do start strongly there.

"Traditionally the bookies reckon they'll struggle. That's got a bit to do with the fact they're battling against crowds of just two or three thousand.

"But in a one-off situation, with them having lost on Saturday (2-1 against Gillingham), I look at it as a fierce place for us to go.

"They've got some talented players. People like Greg Halford, a very good wide-right player, and Chris Iwelumo, someone with a lot of Championship experience who they've signed from Stoke.

"If we can first match their physical presence and organisation, that will give us a foothold in the game.

"Then you look to play some football. You look to those people in the side who can go on and win you the game. We've certainly got players who can do that."

An integral part of Jackett's back-four - former Southampton defender Garry Monk - will be missing after picking up a leg injury against Tranmere.

Even though Monk could be out for up to a month, Jackett said he had no immediate plans to sign up reinforcements.

"I'm not going to rush into the loan market to get anybody in," said Jackett, who will draft Alan Tate into the back-four tonight in Monk's absence.

"As well as Alan, I've got Ijah Anderson, who has a lot of experience at this level, and Andy Gurney who I could bring in."

DEFENDER Alan Tate steps out of the Swansea City shadows tonight insisting, "If I play well, I'd expect to keep my place in the team."

A firm favourite under former Swans boss Brian Flynn, ex- Manchester United trainee Tate has been more of a peripheral figure since Kenny Jackett took charge in April 2004.

But Tate's main bugbear is the fact that, even when he's performed when called upon, he's invariably been put back on the bench as soon as other players return from injury or suspension.

In what might be perceived as a criticism of Jackett's selection policy, Tate says he desperately hopes that won't be the case again as he steps in for the injured Garry Monk at Colchester tonight.

"The gaffer's told me that if I get a chance and I play well, then he'll keep me in the team - regardless of whether I'm at right-back, full-back or central midfield," said the 22-year-old.

"So we'll have to see what's happening a few weeks down the line. If I'm still in the team, it means he's sticking to his word.

"I certainly hope this is the beginning of a long run in the side, but only time will tell.

"It's up to me to play well and the manager to keep me in.

"My view is that if you've played well in the previous game, you deserve to stay in the team no matter who's coming back or what position it is.

"Even if the person returning is a natural in that position, they deserve to be on the bench and you deserve to be in the side.

"It's only fair. That's how football works. Last season I came in to the starting XI for the games against Bury and Stockport and I was man of the match in both.

"But then I got dropped for the next match against Oxford. That's frustrating.

"But it's a new season and a new beginning now so we'll just have to wait and see what happens this time round."

The thinking towards the end of last season was that Tate's days at Swansea could be numbered as Jackett resolved to enter the transfer market to strengthen his defensive base.

For one reason or another, though, no new defenders have come on board at Swansea and, having figured prominently throughout pre-season, Tate's prospects are looking brighter.

He said, "I've had some frustrating times here. It was a bit difficult finding myself on the fringes after playing quite regularly when I first came down from Man U. No-one likes being in and out, in and out all the time. But I've never really once thought of leaving.

"I had a couple of offers from Stockport and other clubs asked about me, but this is the place I want to be."

So he will attempt to re-ignite his Swans career at Layer Road as replacement for Monk, who was ruled out for up to a month with a leg injury he picked up in Saturday's opening-day 1-0 win over Tranmere.

"In pre-season you don't prepare yourself to sit on the bench, you prepare yourself to play, so I'm just looking forward to having a game," said Tate, who came on midway through the Rovers game.

He added, "Tranmere bombarded us during the second half on Saturday and it was almost a case of having to defend for 45 minutes.

"But we stood up to it and, though we can play a bit better, the most important thing is we came away with the three points.

"Having won our first match, it would be great to build up some momentum with another win at Colchester.

"It's an awkward place to go because Colchester are a good home team and Layer Road is a tight pitch to play on.

"But it would really set a statement to the rest of the division if we could get through this week unbeaten. That would be a massive thing for the club."

Tate for Monk is likely to be the only change to the Swansea side, while Colchester are expected to be unchanged from the team that opened the campaign with a 2-1 defeat at Gillingham.

Having scored Swansea City's first goal in Coca-Cola League One, Bayo Akinfenwa is positive that he can strike up a good partnership with fellow striker Lee Trundle. It was last year's top scorer who set up Akinfenwa for the winner against Tranmere Rovers in the 1-0 victory at The New Stadium Swansea.

"I think Lee Trundle is top class. He will be a major reason why we get promoted and I told him that," said the 23-year-old debutant.

"It will take a little while to get an understanding but I do think that it will be good partnership for the season.

"When Trundle gets the ball he can make anything happen so you just have to be on your toes.

"He worked his magic and I was there at the back post to put it in.

"I think that I can learn a lot from him. Hopefully he will get me a lot of goals and hopefully I can return the favour. I think Lee Trundle is a rare talent."

Despite seeing Trundle miss a first-half penalty, former Barry Town striker Akinfenwa is not going to muscle in on his strike partner's territory.

"That is just how the cookie crumbles. I would have bet my house that Trundle would have scored, but that is just how it goes," said the 17st striker.

"Willy made a great save (against Jason McAteer) and their keeper (John Achterberg) made a great save but that is just how football is.

"I think that Lee Trundle will fight me for them.

"We'll see what happens if he misses a couple, but that is his territory and I'm just happy scoring goals in open play."

Akinfenwa, signed from Torquay this summer, believes Swansea can go on and build on this victory over Tranmere and march towards a second successive promotion.

"I do think that we can get promoted and if we can stay right on the pitch and keep free from injuries I think that we have a very good chance of promotion. I do think that we will get promoted," he claimed

"The stadium was class. When I first came here and saw the stadium it was one of the factors which made me sign. It is going to be hard to come here and beat us with the fans and the support.

"This league is going to be hard. Sides like Bristol City, Tranmere and Nottingham Forest are the outright favourites but on any particular day anyone can beat anyone. I think this season is going to very tight and I do think that Swansea will be up there.

"You come out here at 2.55pm on a Saturday and everybody is ready and you hear the noise and you feel like you have arrived. It is a wonderful atmosphere."

Penalty-save hero Willy Gueret believes Swansea City proved they can make a mark in League One with Saturday's win over promotion favourites Tranmere. But Swansea's joy at their opening-day success was tempered by news that Garry Monk could be out for a month with a leg injury.

With Monk absent, Kenny Jackett's men held off a second-half Tranmere onslaught after Bayo Akinfenwa's debut goal and missed penalties from both sides in an eventful first period.

''It's a great start for us against one of the teams I believe will be right up there in this division,'' Gueret said, ''and the fact that we've beaten Tranmere shows that we can do something this season.

''The way the staff at this club ask us to play, I think we can cope with any team.

''There doesn't seem to me to be a big difference between League Two and League One. You need to be organised and you need to work hard against whoever you're playing and that's what got us through against Tranmere.

''If we can keep doing that throughout the season then I'm confident we can make a mark. It's about winning our home games and picking up some points away.''

Swansea get two opportunities to do the latter this week with testing trips to Colchester tomorrow night and Huddersfield next Saturday, but they will have to do it without Monk, their most influential defender in last year's promotion-winning campaign.

''Garry will be out for to two to four weeks with a dead leg and that's obviously a blow because he is a big player for us,'' said manager Jackett.

''We didn't look quite the same when he wasn't around last season, although Kevin Austin had a tremendous second half filling in for him on Saturday.

''Having said that, Garry's injury may increase the need for me to add to the squad. I will keep looking for players to improve us up until the end of August and beyond.''

Goalkeeper is evidently not a position which needs strengthening after Gueret's fourth penalty save in just a year as a Swan.

''I never practise them in training,'' the Frenchman added. ''I hate doing it to be honest. Penalties are head to head on the pitch, and if you are lucky and make a good guess then you will save them.''

Swansea fans can pay on the gate at Colchester and Huddersfield.

A Shot in the arm for Swansea City, but a dig in the ribs for Kenny Jackett. Victory was secured over one of League One's heavyweights, but only the players' kitbags were getting carried away on Saturday night.

For all the joy that could be taken from toppling title-tips Tranmere Rovers on Swansea's return to League One, Jackett conceded that the season opener had opened his eyes.

"It hit me," said the Swansea manager.

"I've worked in this division for a number of years, but the step up from last season hit me straightaway.

"After a year spent watching League Two football, it was very much an eye-opener for me."

So struck was he by Tranmere's challenge, it was as if Jackett needed reminding that his team had emerged winners after their first 90 minutes in the relative big time of English football's third tier.

"The pace and power of Tranmere was a step up from the division we've just come out of," he went on.

"Before you even think about tactics or the quality of teams, you look at the athleticism. Tranmere were big, strong, fit and athletic and I was aware of that from the very start."

The good news, as Jackett conceded when it was pointed out, was that Swansea had coped with Rovers' robustness well enough to kick off the new campaign with a three-point haul.

As is the way in football grounds all around the country just now, the huge home crowd - the biggest in this city since the First Division days more than two decades ago - cried late on that success had been easy, easy, easy.

Jackett, it seems, will take his team to Colchester tomorrow night thinking this season will be testing, hard, downright difficult.

"As a manager I've learned something just from this game," he continued.

"Tranmere are a very good side who in many people's opinions, including mine, will be right up there at the top of the league this year.

"We were absolutely flat out against them and that gives me a yardstick in terms of the division we're now in.

"I'm under no illusions about what we're going to have to do to be a force this year."

Jackett, of course, has boldly targeted another promotion this season having ensured Swansea's last act at Vetch Field was to escape the Football League basement.

Beating a Tranmere side who only just missed out on the Championship last May provides some evidence to suggest that back-to-back climbs are possible, but only a shred.

Hence Swansea's leader was not about to start planning another promotion party after Bayo Akinfenwa's goal proved decisive.

Even if Jackett was the feet-off-the-floor type, there were plenty present on Saturday ready to drag him back to earth.

"I've just seen Andy Legg," he said through a smile, "and he reminded me that they beat Tranmere 1-0 on the opening day of last season but ended up getting relegated.

"That was nice of him to say."

As well as Legg, the former Swan who has turned pundit having finished his career at Peterborough United last season, there was Jackett's opposite number.

Though gracious in defeat, Brian Little offered a couple of home truths to any of those getting over-excited in the home camp.

"No disrespect to them," the former Aston Villa manager said, "they might not be the best team in the league but anyone coming here on the opening day at their new stadium was going to have a hard game. I actually thought that for most of the game we were comfortable and we were in charge."

He had a point.

Swansea started with a bang, but it was muffled when Lee Trundle's goalbound stab was lashed to safety by Paul Linwood.

After that there was little to choose between the sides until some Trundle magic teed up Akinfenwa to mark his debut with The New Stadium's first competitive goal.

Trundle's trick and flick allowed his new 17st strike partner to power home a header at the far post.

Tranmere should have been level nine minutes later when Sam Ricketts was adjudged to have bundled Calvin Zola over in the box.

Former Liverpool player Jason McAteer's spot-kick was okay, but Willy Gueret's sprawling save - his fourth from a penalty in just a year as a Swan - was considerably better.

Then came Swansea's chance from 12 yards, when an even harsher looking decision saw Linwood penalised for felling Trundle.

Tranmere keeper John Achterberg had little trouble denying Trundle from the spot.

Perhaps justice was done there, but the visitors felt their failure to earn a point in a second half they dominated represented a raw deal.

The defence which served Swansea so well last season needed all their might to deny the men from the Wirral and, certainly, had Trundle's injury-time effort rolled the right side of the post, the scoreline would have carried an unfair skew.

"This time last year we lost at Peterborough and everybody was thinking oh my word, what's happening here," Little went on. "But if you're at home on the opening day you've always got a good chance of winning.

"Credit to Swansea, they worked hard and defended well. The big centre-forward did well for them and with Trundle you are going to do well against people."

Still Tranmere felt unfortunate to lose and, though he did not admit it openly, Jackett probably sympathised.

"We were okay, but okay isn't good enough in this business," Little lamented.

Once more, Jackett surely agreed.

A winner this weekend, he knows his side have only dipped their toe in League One's waters.

A great deal more is required over the next nine months if they are to finish up making a splash.

New Stadium, new era - not likely. That is the verdict from press boxes up and down the country on Swansea City's chances as they embark on life in Coca-Cola League One. From Hartlepool to Bournemouth, nobody believes Swansea will be able to follow Hull and complete back-to-back promotions.

No-one thinks Kenny Jackett's side will even reach the play-offs. But the good news for the manager and his squad is that relegation is not on the cards either.

Soccer writers around country are predicting mid-table obscurity. But didn't they forecast that last season?

At around 5pm on Saturday, May 7, they were all proved wrong. Swansea had managed to sneak their way into the third tier of the English league without the lottery of the play-offs.

But while there is little optimism for Swansea, few reporters believe the clubs they cover will enjoy a profitable campaign.

Only three feel their club will be playing Championship football in 2006-7 - those who follow Bristol City, Tranmere Rovers and Hartlepool United.

The Hartlepool Mail's Lee Ryder says the Victoria Park club will be joined by Bristol in the automatic promotion places. Then again, he does say title favourites Nottingham Forest are set for back-to-back relegations.

Seven feel they could be heading to the New Wembley at the end of May for the play-offs - Barnsley, Bradford City, Brentford, Doncaster Rovers, Huddersfield Town, Forest and Swindon Town.

The most pessimistic is Chesterfield reporter Kerry Slack of the Derby Telegraph. She is predicting a long season will be followed by a long summer as Roy McFarland's side face the drop to League Two.

Here at the Evening Post, we feel the optimism surrounding this new campaign could bear fruit if Jackett's men get off to a flying start.

But a season of consolidation is more realistic as they look to prevent a repeat of their last venture into this division when they dropped straight back down.

EVENING POST PREDICTIONS

Going Up: Nottingham Forest - Gary Megson's side are just too big to play in the third level of the English League and an immediate return to the Championship is their only target. Bristol City - The Robins may have lost Leroy Lita over the summer but if Brian Tinnion can get his two Sunderland signings - Marcus Stewart and Michael Bridges - firing the loss of the England Under-21 striker will not be missed.

Going down: Chesterfield have struggled for years at this level and the time has surely come for them to return to the basement. Scunthorpe United may have been free scoring and tight at the back in League Two, but a host of departures and poor signings will prove costly and see them drop. As for Colchester, the U's have barely strengthened during the summer and Phil Parkinson's side are set to fall. Cash-strapped Port Vale are lacking a goal scorer that will keep them safe.

Swansea: The Swans are in buoyant mood following their promotion, FAW Premier Cup victory and their move to a new stadium and Jackett must delve into this strong morale if they are to enjoy a good season this year.

Simon Meeks, BARNSLEY The Star.

Going Up: Bristol City, Brentford.

Going Down: Yeovil Town, MK Dons, Scunthorpe United, Southend United.

Swansea City: 14th

Biggest summer signing: Paul Hayes (Scunthorpe) tribunal.

Biggest loss: none

Key man: Stephen McPhail

Will finish: 6th

Steve Canavan, BLACKPOOL Blackpool Gazette.

Going Up: Bristol City, Doncaster Rovers.

Going Down: MK Dons, Chesterfield, Port Vale, Scunthorpe United.

Swansea City: 8th.

Biggest summer signing: John Doolan (Doncaster Rovers) free.

Biggest loss: Richie Wellens (Oldham Athletic) undisclosed.

Key man: Keigan Parker.

Will finish: 12th.

James Morton, AFC BOURNEMOUTH, Daily Echo.

Going Up: Tranmere Rovers, Bristol City.

Going Down: Port Vale, Chesterfield, Scunthorpe United, Blackpool.

Swansea City: 8th.

Biggest summer signing: Stephen Cooke (Aston Villa) free.

Biggest loss: Garreth O'Connor (Burnley) free.

Key man: Brian Stock.

Will finish: 10th.

Simon Parker, BRADFORD CITY Bradford Telegraph and Argus.

Going Up: Bristol City, Nottingham Forest.

Going Down: Southend United, Colchester United, Chesterfield, Port Vale.

Swansea City: 12th

Biggest summer signing: Bobby Petta (Darlington) free.

Biggest loss: Wayne Jacobs (Halifax Town as assistant manager).

Key man: Dean Windass

Will finish: 6th

Tony Flood, BRENTFORD, Hounslow Chronicle.

Going Up: Nottingham Forest, Bristol City.

Going Down: Southend United, Oldham Athletic, Walsall, Port Vale.

Swansea City: 7th.

Biggest summer signing: Lloyd Owusu (Reading ) free.

Biggest loss: Stewart Talbot (Boston United) for an undisclosed fee.

Key man: Stuart Nelson.

Will finish: 4th

Simon Parkinson, BRISTOL CITY, Bristol Evening Post.

Going Up: Nottingham Forest, Bristol City.

Going Down: Chesterfield, Colchester United, Southend United, Scunthorpe United.

Swansea City: 7th.

Biggest summer signing: Marcus Stewart (Sunderland) free.

Biggest loss: Leroy Lita (Reading) £1m.

Key man: Marcus Stewart.

Will finish: 2nd.

Kerry Slack, CHESTERFIELD, Derby Telegraph.

Going Up: Nottingham Forest, Gillingham.

Going Down: MK Dons, Yeovil Town, Chesterfield, Colchester United.

Swansea City: 8th

Biggest summer signing: Barry Roche (Nottingham Forest) free.

Biggest loss: Ian Evatt (QPR) £100,000.

Key man: Alex Bailey.

Will finish: 20th.

Matt Plummer, COLCHESTER UNITED, Essex Gazette.

Going Up: Nottingham Forest, Rotherham United.

Going Down: MK Dons, Chesterfield, Yeovil Town, Scunthorpe United.

Swansea City: 12th

Biggest summer signing: Chris Iwelumo (Stoke City).

Biggest loss: Gavin Johnson (Boston United).

Key man: Neil Danns

Will finish: 13th

Peter Catt, DONCASTER ROVERS, Doncaster Free Press.

Going Up: Nottingham Forest, Bristol City.

Going Down: Port Vale, Colchester United, Chesterfield, Scunthorpe United.

Swansea City: 14th

Biggest summer signing: Sean Thornton (Sunderland) £175,000, Paul Heffernan (Bristol City) £125,00.

Biggest loss: Paul Doolan (Blackpool) free.

Key man: Sean Thornton.

Will finish: 6th

Luke Cawdell, GILLINGHAM, Kent Messenger.

Going Up: Bristol City, Rotherham United.

Going Down: Southend United, Scunthorpe United, Chesterfield, Blackpool.

Swansea City: 18th

Biggest summer signing: Danny Jackman (Stockport County) free.

Biggest loss: Paul Smith (Walsall).

Key man: Darren Byfield.

Will finish: 8th.

Lee Ryder, HARTLEPOOL UNITED, Hartlepool Mail.

Going Up: Bristol City, Hartlepool United.

Going Down: Scunthorpe United, Southend United, Oldham Athletic, Nottingham Forest.

Swansea City: 10th

Biggest summer signing: Michael Proctor (Rotherham United) free.

Biggest loss: Chris Westwood (Walsall).

Key man: Adam Boyd.

Will finish: 2nd.

Mel Booth, HUDDERSFIELD TOWN, Huddersfield Daily Examiner.

Going Up: Bristol City, Tranmere Rovers.

Going Down: Colchester United, MK Dons, Chesterfield, Scunthorpe United.

Swansea City: 8th.

Biggest summer signing: Martin McIntosh (Rotherham) free.

Biggest loss: Rob Edwards (released).

Key man: Pawel Abbott.

Will finish: 6th

Jon Boyle, MK DONS, Milton Keynes Citizen.

Going Up: Nottingham Forest, Tranmere Rovers.

Going Down: Scunthorpe United, Chesterfield, Walsall, Huddersfield Town.

Swansea City: 15th.

Biggest summer signing: Craig Morgan (Wrexham) £100,000

Biggest loss: none.

Key man: Izale McLeod.

Will finish: 10th.

Paul Taylor, NOTTINGHAM FOREST, Nottingham Evening Post.

Going Up: Yeovil Town, Huddersfield Town.

Going Down: Southend United, MK Dons, Chesterfield, AFC Bournemouth.

Swansea City: 13th

Biggest summer signing: Ian Breckin (Wigan Athletic) £350,000.

Biggest loss: none

Key man: Kris Commons.

Will finish: 4th

Michael Yarwood, OLDHAM ATHLETIC, Oldham Evening Chronicle.

Going Up: Tranmere Rovers, Bristol City.

Going Down: Port Vale, Colchester United, Southend United, Scunthorpe United.

Swansea City: 12th.

Biggest summer signing: Luke Beckett (Sheffield United) season-long loan.

Biggest loss: none

Key man: Andy Liddell.

Will finish: 7th.

Chris Harper, PORT VALE, The Sentinel.

Going Up: Tranmere Rovers, Bristol City.

Going Down: Scunthorpe United, Chesterfield, Southend United, Blackpool.

Swansea City: 12th

Biggest summer signing: Tony Dinning (Bristol City) free.

Biggest loss: David Hibbert (Preston North End).

Key man: Tony Dinning

Will finish: 13th

Paul Rickett, ROTHERHAM UNITED, Rotherham Advertiser.

Going Up: Nottingham Forest, Huddersfield Town.

Going Down: MK Dons, Colchester United, Chesterfield, Port Vale.

Swansea City: 11th

Biggest summer signing: Jon Otsemobor (Liverpool) free.

Biggest loss: Mark McIntosh (Huddersfield Town), Chris Swailes (Oldham Athletic).

Key man: Martin Butler.

Will finish: 8th

Chris Sumpter, SCUNTHORPE UNITED, Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph.

Going Up: Bristol City, Brentford.

Going Down: MK Dons, Chesterfield, Port Vale, Colchester.

Swansea City: 12th

Biggest summer signing: Tommy Johnson (Sheffield United) free.

Biggest loss: Paul Hayes (Barnsley) tribunal.

Key man: Tommy Johnson.

Will finish: 15th

Chris Phillips, SOUTHEND UNITED, Evening Echo.

Going Up: Nottingham Forest, Bristol City.

Going Down: Scunthorpe United, Chesterfield, Colchester United, Port Vale.

Swansea City: 17th

Biggest summer signing: Shaun Goater (Reading) free.

Biggest loss: none.

Key man: Freddy Eastwood.

Will finish: 16th.

Jon Ritson, SWINDON TOWN, Swindon Advertiser.

Going Up: Bristol City, Tranmere Rovers.

Going Down: MK Dons, Chesterfield, Colchester United, Scunthorpe United.

Swansea City: 12th.

Biggest summer signing: Jamie Cureton (Queens Park Rangers) free.

Biggest loss: Sam Parkin (Ipswich Town) for a fee of £500,000.

Key man: Gareth Whalley.

Will finish: 6th.

Dave Triggs, TRANMERE ROVERS, Chester Chronicle.

Going Up: Tranmere Rovers, Doncaster Rovers.

Going Down: Port Vale, Yeovil Town, Walsall, Scunthorpe United.

Swansea City: 14th

Biggest summer signing: Chris Greenacre (Stoke City) free.

Biggest loss: Ryan Taylor (Wigan Athletic) for a fee of £750,000.

Key man: Mike Jackson.

Will finish: 2nd

Brian Dick, WALSALL, Birmingham Post.

Going Up: Nottingham Forest, Tranmere Rovers.

Going Down: Port Vale, MK Dons, Chesterfield, Oldham Athletic.

Swansea City: 15th

Biggest summer signing: Ruben Dario Larossa (Pelios - Malaysia) free.

Biggest loss: Neil Emblem (coaching in New Zealand).

Key man: Matt Fryatt.

Will finish: 11th.

Steve Sowden, YEOVIL TOWN, Yeovil Express.

Going Up: Bristol City, Tranmere Rovers.

Going Down: MK Dons, Scunthorpe United, Rotherham United, Southend United.

Swansea City: 14th

Biggest summer signing: Pablo Bastianini (Quilmes - Argentina) undisclosed.

Biggest loss: none

Key man: Phil Jevons.

Will finish: 10th.

TRANMERE took home only a hard luck story from their first journey of the League One season. But at least it was more than they could salvage from their opening day efforts a year ago.

A single-goal defeat at the New Stadium, Swansea, repeated the result they suffered at Peterborough last August.

But while Tranmere kicked off with a curiously flat and lethargic effort at London Road, their performance on Saturday offered consolation and some encouragement to manager Brian Little.

Tranmere played well enough to merit putting the first point of the campaign on the board in circumstances that were never less than seriously testing.

They were taking on more than just a Swansea side still buoyant from the achievement of gaining promotion from Division Two last season.

They also had to contend with the passion of a whole city of fans.

Swansea's move to an impressive new stadium could not have been timed better to fire the enthusiasm of supporters who had very little to cheer for many years until May.

The attendance of 16,733 at the council-built arena represented the largest crowd for a game in Swansea for more than 20 years.

Among the gathering was John Toshack, the manager when Swansea last pulled in gates of that size during two years in the top flight in the early 1980s.

Toshack, these days the Wales national coach, will have appreciated the intensity of the noise generated by his countrymen.

The stadium does have excellent acoustics for a sporting venue, throwing the sound from the roaring throng down on to the pitch rather than up into the sky.

It was a big ask for Tranmere to subdue such a crowd and more than they could manage during an eventful first half.

SWANSEA CITY boss Kenny Jackett believes his newly-promoted side have conquered their first League One fear - winning at their new home.
Jackett's Swans began life at a higher level against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday with an impressive 1-0 victory, the winner coming from summer signing Adebayo Akinfenwa.

And Jackett revealed how relieved he was to start with three points in front of nearly 17,000 fans at The New Stadium.

"I've seen teams move into new stadiums and the pressure to get their first win builds and builds," said Jackett after both sides missed first-half penalties following Akinfenwa's 30th-minute opener.

"Sometimes it can become a psychological thing. So to get our first win at the new stadium out of the way is a massive thing for all of us."

Rovers, who lost in the League One play-offs last season, are fancied to be in the promotion chase again this time, so Jackett could not hide his delight at the opening-day victory.

"They finished third in this division last season and, as such, they're a yardstick for us.

"I've got to learn from this game. While the result is fantastic and it's a big thing on the day, I'm under no illusions about what we've got to do to be a force in this division."

But Jackett added, "It's great to get off to a winning start because the pressure builds up through pre-season.

"We earned our win, but my thoughts stretch further than today. My job is to read into this game what it is that you need to do well over a whole year."

Wrexham boss Denis Smith was also delighted after his Red Dragons opened their League Two account with a 2-0 home victory over Boston United.

Mark Jones' spectacular first-half strike and Lee Roche's late finish gave Wrexham the perfect start after last season's relegation.

"I expect to win games and my ambition is to win the league," said Smith.

"Whether we're capable of doing that I honestly don't know.

"I can't tell you what the other teams have got and how many injuries and suspensions I'm going to get.

"But I'll be delighted to play like that every week, because 2-0 didn't flatter us."

The solitary blot on the Welsh football landscape was Cardiff City's 1-0 Championship defeat at Ipswich Town.

New City boss Dave Jones sent out a new-look team following a summer of high activity at Ninian Park. But City created few chances and Nicky Forster's 64th-minute winner gave the Tractor Boys three points.

"We lost because of one lapse," said Jones angry that new recruit Kevin Cooper had carelessly given away the free-kick from which Forster netted at the far post.

"You can't give free-kicks away in dangerous positions and you can't switch off in the box when free-kicks come in.

"But that's what we did and it cost us. We've got to make sure we don't make the same mistakes again."

LIKE a boxer who'd underestimated the strength of his opponent, Kenny Jackett admitted he was left a little stunned by his introduction to League One.
There was obviously no problem with the result, Jackett and his Swansea side emerging victorious to make it a dream start to life inside their grand new stadium.

Afterwards, though, Jackett bore the look of a fighter who'd spent most of the time unexpectedly picking himself up off the canvas.

"This was very much an eye-opener for me," admitted the Swans' boss in spite of a heart-warming opening-day win that came courtesy of Adebayo Akinfenwa's debut goal.

"I know I've previously worked a number of years in this division, but, having watched League Two football for a year, something hit me very quickly about League One - pace and power.

"The pace and power of the Tranmere team was a step up from the division we've come out of. No doubt about that.

"Before I was able to start analysing their tactics or their quality, I was struck by their athleticism.

"They were big, they were strong, they were fit - and they finished third in this division last season.

"As such, they're a yardstick for this division and, as a manager, I've got to learn from this game.

"I don't mean to sound unhappy because this is a great win for us and I'm absolutely delighted with it. All I'm saying is that, while the result is fantastic and it's a big thing on the day, I'm under no illusions about what we've got to do to be a force in this division."

You could understand where Jackett was coming from. Swansea, reacquainting themselves with a division they'd last competed in four years ago, struggled to gain a foothold during the opening stages of the match as Tranmere controlled the tempo.

For the opening 20 minutes of the second half, too, Rovers overpowered the Swans, providing a potent example of why they're expected to be such a dominant force in the division this term.

That said, it was the home side - inspired by thunderous noise generated by the 16,000 home fans that reverberated superbly round the ground - who enjoyed most of the goal-scoring opportunities.

"We matched Tranmere physically and probably deserved more goals than we got," said Jackett.

"In the first 20 minutes of the second half Tranmere came out and dominated the game and showed what a good side they are.

"But we weathered the storm and came through to do very well. Towards the end we looked like we had control of the game.

"It was a great effort from my players in what was an end-to-end match. We were absolutely flat-out against what I thought was a very good Tranmere team."

And a big relief to get off the mark in the first post-Vetch Field league game, he said.

"I've seen teams move into new stadiums and the pressure to get their first win builds and builds. Sometimes it can become a psychological thing. So to get our first win at the new stadium out of the way is a massive thing for all of us."

Akinfenwa took some pressure off himself by claiming Swansea's first league goal at their new address.

The summer signing from Torquay opened his Swans account when he out-muscled his marker to glance home a header after Lee Trundle had turned on the byline before cleverly lifting a right-footed cross over the keeper.

The goal had arrived after some frenetic early exchanges in which Akinfenwa and Trundle had both come close to unlocking a Rovers defence you wouldn't want to meet in an It's a Knockout competition.

The course of the game might have changed when Sam Ricketts clumsily curtailed Calvin Zola's menacing run into the box and referee Lee Probert pointed to the spot.

But former Liverpool winger Jason McAteer fluffed his spot-kick straight into Willy Gueret's grateful clutches.

How the Swans faithful, who barracked the Rovers skipper throughout the match just as they had done Robbie Savage seven days earlier, delighted in McAteer's misfortune.

But then Trundle went and did the same thing at the other end after being tripped in the box by Paul Linwood amid accusations from the Rovers defenders he'd been a little quick to hit the deck.

It wasn't really Trundle's day. Having aimed his spot-kick straight at John Achterberg, he was guilty of missing another marvellous chance three minutes from the end when he scuffed a shot from 12 yards having rounded Ian Sharps to leave only the keeper to beat.

In the end, though, it didn't really matter. One game down, three points in the bag and 16,000 happy faces at the final whistle.

Once again, though, Jackett was looking at the bigger picture. He said, "It's great to get off to a winning start because the pressure builds up through pre-season.

"For six weeks you're thinking about Tranmere, Tranmere, Tranmere. Project it on three months, though, and it's just a small percentage.

"We earned our win, but my thoughts stretch further than today. My job is to read into this game what it is that you need to do well over a whole year.

"Mind you, after congratulating me on the win, Andy Legg (former Swans player now working as a radio pundit) told me Peterborough beat Tranmere 1-0 at home on the first day of last season - and they went down!"

On the downside, Swansea could be without influential defender Garry Monk for up to four weeks after he left the action at half-time.

"It's a blow because he's a big player for us and generally, when he wasn't around last season we didn't quite look the same," said Jackett, who takes his side to Colchester tomorrow night.

"I've said all along I'll be looking for new players right up to the August 31 deadline and beyond, but perhaps Garry's injury will accelerate my search for another defender. "Having said that, Kevin Austin defended magnificently when he went across to cover Garry's spot.

"He was as strong as anyone on the pitch and it's good to know he's available to play there."

TRANMERE manager Brian Little believes the 'new stadium effect' will play a major role in Swansea's bid to reach the Championship.

Little left South Wales not only smarting at his side's opening-day 1-0 defeat, but also with the intimidating noise of 16,000 baying Swans fans still ringing in his ears.

And he predicted the atmosphere created by the partisan home crowd - one which made it such an uncomfortable afternoon for title hopefuls Tranmere - will have a major bearing on Swansea's promotion prospects.

"Swansea are a decent team, but the noise that their new stadium generates will hopefully help them do very well in this division," said the former Aston Villa manager.

"After some difficult times in recent years, this thing that's been created for them is potentially something that could take the club on.

"It really is a credit to them. The Swansea fans were fantastic. They made it a great day out, but also ensured it was a difficult place for us to come.

"Swansea might not be the best team in the league, but anyone coming here is going to have a hard game. That's been proved."

Swansea's aim is to turn their new home into Fortress Morfa, but Little believes it is the sides who succeed on the road who'll prosper this term.

"Swansea's home form will be important to them, but there will be a lot of teams in the division who'll bank on their home form," he said.

"So it's then going to come down to how you do on the road. Any team that's got a good away record will be in with a good shout."

Little was convinced Rovers, beaten play-off semi-finalists last season after finishing third behind Luton and Hull, should've collected at least a point from their first trip.

He said, "We were unlucky not to get anything out of the game, but, credit to Swansea - they defended very well.

"We gave a bad goal away. If you give Lee Trundle half a yard he's capable of creating something special and that's what he did.

"Swansea had the clearer chances, but I felt we were in charge for large parts of the game without really being in contention.

"Our penalty miss was a massive blow for us. I was surprised that Jason (McAteer) took it.

"I thought Chris (Greenacre) would've taken it. It turned out to be a big decision.

"I thought Swansea's full-backs defended very well, though their wingers didn't really cause us too many problems."

JUBILANT Swansea City fans were last night given a note of caution by Kenny Jackett.
The Swans supremo was 'delighted' his men had christened their plush new surroundings with victory and beaten Tranmere Rovers in their first game back in third tier of the Football League.

But Jackett refused to go over the top as he warned: "While winning is fantastic, I'm under no illusions what to do to be a force in this division.

"I've just been congratulated by Andy Legg and he reminded me that he was in the Peterborough team that beat Tranmere 1-0 at the start of last season - and he ended up getting relegated.

"What a nice thing for him to say!" Jackett, though, is canny enough to heed former Swans hero Legg's cautious approach to League One.

"I've been in this division a number of years with QPR but yesterday was a real eye-opener for me," he said.

"I realised early on how we as a team must play because the pace and the power of the Tranmere team was a big step up from League Two. They were big, strong and very athletic.

"They finished third in this division last season and will be there or thereabouts this season so they are a great yardstick for us. So I'm pleased we matched them physically. I'm pleased as we deserved our win." Rovers boss Brian Little insisted his side weren't just playing the team but the occasion too.

"No disrespect to Swansea but they might not be the best team in the division but anyone coming here for the opening day of the season would have had a hard game - and they've proved that.

"We were playing the crowd as well as Swansea's players. They got behind their team and when they were winning 1-0 and under the cosh, they still encouraged their team. All credit to team, it was a good game because the fans were fantastic; they made it.

"One of the things they will rely heavily on this season is their home support and the noise they generate. Their home form is going to be important and there are a lot of teams in this division who will bank on their home form. Winning away from home this season is crucial, any team with a good record on the road will do well."

Jackett, though, did suffer some bad news yesterday as centre-back Garry Monk, who hobbled off at half-time, is set to be out for up to a month with a dead leg.

Jackett said: "It's a blow as Garry is a big player for us and last year when he wasn't around we didn't quite look the same.

"I've had a frustrating summer as I'd like to have signed more players. I have been looking for more cover defensively so perhaps Garry's injury accelerates my search but I'll be looking for players to improve us right up until transfer deadline day at the end of the month."

Jackett last night dismissed Swansea City's chances of signing Welsh playmaker Gavin Williams.

The 25-year-old West Ham United creative midfielder was targeted by the Swans' boss but has been told by Premiership new boys West Ham United that any deal is no go.

Jackett said, "I have made an enquiry about Gavin but I've been told there's no chance of a move either permanent or on loan."

SWANSEA CITY'S first day back in League One was tougher than Kenny Jackett expected - but when they needed help, the AA came to the rescue.

Summer signing striking powerhouse Adebayo Akinfenwa needed just half-an-hour to show why the Swans chief wanted him so desperately.

Not many front men would have been able to shrug off the physical Tranmere back-line like Akinfenwa and when Lee Trundle's delicate chip floated towards the back post, it was like a red rag to a bull.

Tranmere Rovers full-back Paul Linwood looked set to clear Trundle's cross until Swansea's new 17st man mountain swatted him like a helpless fly to not only smash a goal on his debut but the first at Swansea's plush new abode.

Jackett admits he was slightly cautious of 'new stadium syndrome' before yesterday's opening competitive game at their awesome £27m 21st-century arena while critics were nervy of his side's chances in League One.

Well, all that was bashed to the ground by the Nigerian-born Bayo.

He really proved he is the boyo as the 23-year-old hitman, signed from Torquay United, created a little piece of history.

Jackett said: "It's terrific for your centre-forward to score a goal on his debut as scoring is a good habit.

"But he played well too, his build-up play was good and he had great presence with his ability."

He added: "It was also important to get our first win in this new stadium because I've seen teams with new homes not win there for a long time.

"It can quickly become a millstone around the team's neck. It can just build up and build up and have a detrimental psychological effect. So I'm doubly glad we've got that win against Tranmere."

Swansea's biggest crowd for 23 years couldn't have gone home happier. As if the club's confidence isn't high enough already, when the players come down from the euphoria of opening their new ground with a win - they'd realise they've beaten one of League One's promotion favourites.

But Jackett was under no illusions yesterday evening. On Swansea's return to the Football League's third tier after a four-year absence, he knew deep down that Tranmere were overall the better team.

Brian Little's promotion chasers - who endured the agony of play-off semi-final defeat last term - dominated. But Swansea held firm and secured the all-important result.

Swansea, though, have a healthy opening day record - suffering just two defeats in their last 11 - but they failed to open their previous Vetch Field home with glory, drawing 1-1 with Cardiff City all of 93 years ago.

But back to the present day. While it was a new stadium, it was same old Trundle causing havoc with his bag of tricks.

The Swansea idol weaved a little magic to flumux marker Ian Sharps after just 90 seconds and everyone inside the New Stadium thought the now streamlined striker was sure to fire home. But Rovers 'keeper John Achterberg got a heavy enough touch for Paul Linwood to rally around and clear the ball off the line.

A Welshman should have opened the stadium account - but it wasn't a Swans player. Tranmere midfielder Gareth Roberts connected sweetly with Sam Aiston's cross. However, Roberts' 20-yard rocket flew just inches wide of Willy Gueret's left-hand post.

The frantic opening soon cooled but it soon became clear that it was the calm before the storm.

And it was Trundle's Magic Daps that were causing the problems for Rovers - and on the half-hour he pulled a rabbit out of the hat.

The self-confessed Everton nut ironically turned Rovers left-back Ian Goodison inside out and the man named after Everton's famous old ground couldn't stop Trundle delicately clip the ball over Achterberg to the back post for Akinfenwa to barge the ball - and Linwood - over the line.

Tranmere, though, should have drawn level within 10 minutes after Sam Ricketts bundled over visiting hitman Calvin Zola in the box.

Rovers captain Jason McAteer stepped up but memories of their play-off semi-final penalty shootout heartache came flooding back as Swans stopper Gueret - who saved three spot-kicks last term - dived to his right to easily pick-up the ex-Ireland midfielder's tame effort to reaffirm his status as a penalty hero.

Well, if Tranmere's penalty was a little harsh then Swansea's on the stroke of half-time was criminal. Trundle seemed to go to ground too easily with Linwood breathing down his neck and referee Lee Probert shocked the 16,733 crowd - delighting most, mind you - by pointing to the spot. Linwood was livid and he let Trundle know about it as the pair went head-to-head.

Linwood's intimidation paid dividends as Trundle, scorer of seven spot-kicks last season, scuffed his shot from 12 yards and Achterberg saved diving to his left.

Rovers boss Little must have been flinging tea-cups around his Rovers dressing room at the break as Tranmere upped the ante in the second-half.

Rovers pummelled the Swansea goal but the host's defence - minus injury victim Garry Monk - remained resolute.

WHEN he first arrived in Swansea it was merely the size of his 17st frame that had people gasping.
Now though, as he embarks on his biggest season in professional football, eyebrows are being raised as much at the chunky £110,000 price tag hanging over the head of Adebayo Akinfenwa.

That's the sum Swansea could end up having to pay Torquay for 'Big Bayo' after a transfer tribunal set a series of payments dependent on the frequency he turns out for the Swans this season.

Pressure? Not at all, says the former Barry Town hitman.

"Honestly, the fee that was agreed doesn't put any more pressure on my shoulders," said Akinfenwa, set for his Swansea competitive debut in today's League One opener against Tranmere Rovers.

"£110,000 (the total amount payable if the Swans are promoted and Akinfenwa plays in 60% of the games) is a lot for Swansea to pay, considering I was only at Torquay one season.

"But it's just a figure that was put on my head. It's out of my hands. It doesn't bother me one bit and I'll just go out there and play my football."

Conversely, though, a little anxiety appears to have crept in ahead of his first league outing in a Swans shirt.

"This is big for me," he says. "I want to give a real good account of myself in this game to get the fans onside.

"First and foremost I want Swansea to win. Individually, though, I'm keen to make a strong contribution. I want to get off to the strongest possible start."

Nine months short of his 24th birthday, Akinfenwa has already had nine clubs. He admits it's time to settle down and, as Lee Trundle's new strike partner, hopes to find a niche in Swansea.

Having represented such modest league members as Boston, Leyton Orient, Doncaster and Torquay, Akinfenwa knows he's now in a place that's bursting with potential.

"There's no comparison between where I was last season and where I am now," said Akinfenwa, who struck 16 goals for the Gulls last term.

"Just comparing the two grounds, if Swansea is Wembley, Plainmoor is Hackney Marshes.

"That's how it is, so if you're going to quote me on that, then go ahead and quote me!

"No, Plainmoor was cool. It was a nice little pitch, but you can't compare it to Swansea's.

"Swansea have got one of the best stadiums in the division, perhaps one of the best outside the Premiership.

"Playing home games there can only be a motivation in itself.

"Swansea is a bigger club than Torquay and a stronger one too. Here, there are two players for every position, which is something Torquay didn't have.

"Hopefully, we'll be standing here in 12 months' time looking ahead to Championship football. I really think there's a good chance of that."

Little and Large was how he dubbed his potential partnership with Trundle (pictured below) when he first signed on with the Welsh club.

Whereas the newly-streamlined Trundle, inset, is all about tricks, flicks and spectacular goals, Akinfenwa's more mundane brief is to muscle his way past defenders and use his predatory instincts to find the back of the net.

"Lee is a great talent and, playing alongside him, I can only learn things," said the amiable Londoner.

"We're totally different, but I think our differences compliment each other. He likes to come deep, I like to hold the ball up and move.

"It might take us a while to connect together, but, as it stands, it looks good. The more we play together, the better we'll become as a partnership."

If team spirit off the pitch is anything to go by, gelling together on it shouldn't be a problem as Swansea begin their quest for a second promotion in a row.

"There's a really good vibe here," says Akinfenwa.

"On my first day at the club I thought the players would be a bit intimidated by me because of my size, but the boys didn't even care.

"Straight away they were cussing my trainers and my dress sense.

"If you can walk into a place on your first day and feel wanted like that, it's great. Hopefully we can really show that kind of spirit out on the pitch.

"If we can hit the ground running...watch out!"

Tranmere have been warned.

NINE years after starting his managerial career in the Football League's third tier, Kenny Jackett is back in the division he knows best.

But the Swansea manager, who first moved to the top of the coaching ladder at Watford in 1996, isn't planning to hang around in it for too long.

Jackett won promotion from the old Division Two as a coach at Vicarage Road, helped Queens Park Rangers climb into the Coca-Cola Championship - and plans to do the same at Swansea.

Given the fact he's already spent more than five years coaching at this level, who could blame Jackett for believing he can do it?

"I've worked in all four divisions, but if there's one division I've worked in most, it's definitely this one," said Jackett, whose quest begins with today's opening-day visit of Tranmere Rovers.

"It's where I started out as a manager with Watford. I'm certainly older and, I would hope, a little bit wiser.

"It's a division I know well, and one in which I'd like to think I can succeed.

"Like, I would think, the majority of managers in this division, my aim is to get promotion this season."

League Two proved to be a brief stopping point for someone who had been coaching in the division above for three years before moving to Swansea in April 2004.

Jackett had moved to the Vetch just before his labours at QPR bore fruit with the club finally confirming their elevation to the Championship.

In Jackett's sole campaign in charge of Watford, the Hertfordshire club finished 13th in what was a transitional year following relegation from the old Division One.

The following season, though, when he reverted to assistant manager under Graham Taylor, the Hornets clinched the Division Two title.

What all this means for Swansea, of course, is that Jackett has a pretty good idea of what it takes to succeed in the division.

"The QPR squad Ian Holloway and I had was more experienced than the one we've got at Swansea in terms of the amount of success achieved," said the 43-year-old.

"It was very experienced up front. Coming into the division, the club had Jamie Cureton, Kevin Gallen, Paul Furlong and Tony Thorpe - four players who'd reached the league's higher echelons and commanded big transfer fees.

"By contrast, we were very unproven at the back. But Danny Shittu came out and proved himself to be as vital, if not more vital, than those four strikers in the promotion win.

"That's the beauty of it - quite often the linchpin of a successful campaign isn't the person you thought it would be at the start of the season.

"At Watford, we were very solid. We didn't concede many goals and we competed at all stages.

"We signed Ronnie Rosenthal on a free from Spurs a little way into the season and he took us to another level with the quality he gave us going forward. He really sparkled.

"That Watford side probably bears closer comparison to Swansea than the QPR one."

League Two always gets unfavourably described as a 'muck and nettles' division, one where teams favour the 'kick and rush' approach.

In Jackett's experience, is League One really all that different?

"There's no doubt the standard's better, but I don't necessarily agree with people who say more football gets played," he said.

"You still need to be organised and committed and consistent. You can't have inconsistent players at this level. They can't perform well on a Saturday and then fall flat on their faces the following Tuesday.

"I guess we'll find out for sure over the next month just how different League One is to League Two.

"What I have noticed, though, is sides in this division have accumulated a bigger base of players, built up stronger squads than our rivals did last season.

"Doncaster, for instance, have spent £200,000 on a midfield player (Sunderland's Sean Thornton). Nottingham Forest have signed (defender) Danny Cullip from Sheffield United.

"Teams are buying players to get out of the division. So I think it's a step up for us in terms of having to compete for good quality players."

Fallen European champions Forest and Doncaster, who just missed out on the play-offs last season, will almost certainly be two of Swansea's rivals for a top-six place.

As, of course, will Tranmere, who have strengthened with the likes of striker Chris Greenacre from Stoke and Jamaica midfielder Theo Whitmore.

"You've got to look at the sides who got to the play-offs," Jackett said.

"Brentford look stronger than last year and Hartlepool have added well. They've got 35 pros.

"When you see Bristol City signing the likes of Michael Bridges and Marcus Stewart to play up front, you'd imagine they've got to be strong.

"I'd agree that Tranmere will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. They've got three match-winning forwards in Greenacre, (Iain) Hume and (Calvin) Zola and a lot of experience through the rest of the side, Jason McAteer for one.

"Forest have invested heavily, but you wonder whether this will be a transition period for them and Rotherham and Gillingham (the two other relegated clubs) or whether they can hit the ground running.

"The fascination for me is how the promoted teams are going to do because I think Southend, Scunthorpe and Yeovil are three good sides.

"It might come down to strength in depth. A club might have 15 good players, but you've also got to assess their ability to fill holes or improve along the way.

"It's awkward to make predictions, but I would think two thirds of the managers in this division will be looking to get promoted.

"The play-off system gives you flexibility. Up to February anyone in the top 10 can get into the top six and anyone finishing there could go up.

"Lots of teams will fancy their chances. But Swansea are well worth a bit of your money!"

New season, new field of dreams. Having departed the Vetch, their former home of 92 years, competitive action finally gets under way at the new 20,000-seater ground at Morfa.

At least 16,000 fans will filter through the shiny new turnstiles hoping the Swans can pick up where they left off at the end of last season's memorable campaign.

"It's a massive day for the club and I'm very proud to be the manager at the start of this new era," said Jackett who, apart from the injured Lee Thorpe and the suspended Andy Robinson, has a full squad to pick from.

"New stadium, new division and an opening league game against one of the division's better teams. It's a very exciting time."

Lee Trundle believes Swansea City have nothing to fear in League One and insists a top-six finish is within their grasp. Swansea's star striker has sent out the upbeat message as they prepare for tomorrow's season-opener against highly-fancied Tranmere Rovers.

''We're not scared of anybody,'' Trundle declared.

''We're not going into this division hoping just to hold our own and stay out of a relegation dogfight.

''The players we've got are better than that and our aim is to make the play-offs.

''Yes we're stepping up, but we can't go in wondering what's going to happen and if teams are going to be better than us.

''We're not going to trample over anyone but I believe we've got what it takes to reach the top six.''

If he is raising the bar for a squad which sneaked out of League Two on the final day of last season, Swansea's talisman is also demanding much of himself.

''Throughout my career I've tried to improve each season,'' the 28-year-old went on.

''Nothing is different now and that means passing the 23 goals I got last year.

''Maybe that puts pressure on me, but that's when I thrive.

''Whoever you're up against, you're still playing 11 players and I believe in my own ability.

''I've scored goals in this league with Wrexham and I know I can do it again.''

Trundle tomorrow partners Bayo Akinfenwa, who makes his full debut for Swansea after his summer move from Torquay.

Fellow close-season recruit Marc Goodfellow is also likely to start - but on the left flank of a four-man midfield rather than as a third striker.

That should see Leon Britton drop to the bench after he started the pre-season matches with Fulham and Blackburn when boss Kenny Jackett used 4-3-3.

More than 16,000 fans are expected for the New Stadium's inaugural competitive fixture - potentially the biggest crowd for a league match in the city in 23 years.

''It's a huge game for the club - the sort you want to be involved in when you become a professional footballer,'' Trundle added.

''It won't be easy. Tranmere are a good side who a lot of people are tipping to go up, but for us the new stadium really gets going tomorrow and we're all relishing the prospect of playing in front of a massive, passionate crowd.''

Andy Robinson misses a reunion with his former club through suspension, while Lee Thorpe (ankle) is Swansea's only injury problem.

Tranmere, play-off losers in May, expect club skipper Jason McAteer to play after a fitness scare.

Walkers Crisps and Harcourt Printing have been unveiled as new Swansea City sponsors. Football League clubs can now carry more than one logo on strips under new regulations which were introduced last season.

So as well as main sponsor The Travel House on their fronts, Swansea's players will wear the Monster Munch brand above the numbers on their backs and the logo of local company Harcourt Printing on their shorts.

Both firms have agreed to back the Swans for a year.

Swansea fans have been looking forward to the new football season ever since the dramatic final day of the previous campaign when Southend's failure to overcome Grimsby Town ensured promotion. The prospect of watching them play higher division football in a new £27m stadium has whetted supporters' appetites during the summer.

And tomorrow, they will finally have the opportunity to see their favourites in league action against Tranmere, a side who reached the play-offs last term and who are widely tipped to win automatic promotion this time.

Swansea actually start the game as slight underdogs, priced at 33-20 by online bookies Centrebet.

Meanwhile, Ladbrokes have installed the visitors as 8-5 favourites. The draw can be backed at an attractive-looking 12-5 with Stan James.

This is a tough opener for the home side and one fancies they would be content with a draw.

After all, Tranmere are 10-1 with Premierbet to win League One while Kenny Jackett's team are as long as 25-1 with Canbet and Beteuro. They are 18-1 in Totalbet's handicap market when allocated a generous 20 points.

Not surprisingly, VCBet have seen plenty of support for their odds of 11-2 marked against the match ending 1-1, although Sportingodds have a had a considerable number of takers for the firm's 15-2 against a 1-0 home win.

The same firm prices Lee Trundle at 5-1 to notch the game's opening strike, while he is a massive 33-1 with Betdirect to end the season as the league's leading scorer.

In the half-time/full-time markets, Ladbrokes have 10-3 against Swansea holding the lead at the end of both halves, which could be seen as a possibility provided the crowd at The New Stadium Swansea is in as good a voice as it was in the pre-season friendlies.

But the more cautious punter may prefer Stan James's 9-2 for Swansea to emerge victorious following a drawn first period.

Despite Tranmere being among the favourites to win promotion, boss Brian Little is not relishing his visit to The New Stadium Swansea tomorrow. The former Leicester and Aston Villa manager believes the opening day of the season is not the time to be visiting South Wales - not with Swansea having just won promotion to Coca-Cola League One, allied to their move to an impressive all-seater arena.

"Any side who have moved into a perfect new ground will be tough," Little said. "Just like playing your first away game of the season is never easy.

"We have to try and take it to them tomorrow.

"Their fans will be up for it and with the couple of new lads they have added, Swansea have a quality squad."

Little will be without new signing Theo Whitmore, as the Jamaican midfielder has had visa problems following his move from Scottish Premier League side Livingston and is behind the rest of the Rovers squad in terms of pre-season training.

Little will also be keeping a close eye on former Liverpool and Sunderland midfielder Jason McAteer and Jamaican defender Ian Goodison after the pair picked up minor knocks in training this week.

Even so, McAteer and Goodison are both expected to be in Little's starting XI, while former Sunderland winger Sam Aiston is likely to make his debut.

Aiston is expected to line-up on the right with Gareth Roberts on the left. Striker Chris Greenacre will also make his debut for the Prenton Park side after his free transfer from Championship side Stoke City.

Greenacre was released by the Potters at the end of last season and the 27-year-old will be hoping to rediscover his form prior to his move to the Britannia Stadium from Mansfield Town in 2002.

During three seasons with the Stags Greenacre netted 58 times, while at Stoke he scored just eight times in 73 matches.

So Peter Kenyon can forecast with some confidence that this year's Premiership champions will come from a small bunch - of one. Safe to say, though, that even the confident one from Stamford Bridge would not be prepared to predict who will top the pile in League One.

Put his money where his mouth is? Maybe on Chelsea.

But a punt on Nottingham Forest or Bristol City or one of dozen or so others does not seem so likely.

Chances are he would not even gamble with some of Mr Abramovich's dosh, for English football's third division looks wide open.

"Two-thirds of the managers in League One will go into the new season trying to get promoted," says Kenny Jackett, whose Swansea City side get a first look at the competition when Tranmere Rovers arrive at The New Stadium tomorrow.

"The play-off system gives them all a chance, as does the fact that to me it looks a very even division."

All of which sounds remarkably like what Swansea's manager thought on the eve of last season.

The big difference then, of course, was that he was talking about League Two.

"The standard is better in League One," Jackett goes on.

"But people say there is more football played in the higher division and I don't think that's necessarily the case.

"You still need to be committed, you still need to be organised and you still need to be consistent.

"Consistency, particularly, is massive. You need a bunch of players who can go out and pick up points all around the country, not people who are great on Saturday and then fall on their faces on Tuesday night.

"I feel I have got that in my squad."

So it is simple, then. Show the same grit and determination which got them through last season on a regular basis and Swansea will be celebrating promotion again in nine months' time.

Not quite.

A glance at the team-sheet this weekend will be enough to tell you that.

When Iain Hume and Chris Greenacre begin doing their stuff, Swansea's defence will be aware they are no longer in the old Division Four.

He may be no spring chicken anymore, but former Liverpool star Jason McAteer brings real quality to midfield, while ex-Preston defender Michael Jackson will not offer Lee Trundle an easy ride.

"Tranmere have some matchwinning forwards with a solid base of experience behind them," reckons Jackett.

"I expect them to be right up there at the end of the season and it will be a big test for us."

Greenacre, scorer of a hat-trick for Mansfield against Swansea a few seasons back, was Brian Little's big summer recruit.

It was not the only close-season League One signing which made Jackett sit up and take notice.

"There were exceptions, like Oxford United, but last season a lot of sides in our division stuck with what they had over the summer or relied on youngsters coming through.

"You can't say that's the case in the league we're going into.

"There are a lot of clubs here spending money to build squads they feel will not only get them out of League One but serve them well in the Championship.

"You look at Danny Cullip going to Nottingham Forest, or Doncaster paying £200,000 for a midfielder (Sunderland's Sean Thornton)."

Forest, led by Gary Megson, and former Swan Dave Penney's Doncaster outfit join Tranmere in Jackett's lengthy list of pre-season title tips.

"Tranmere, Brentford and Hartlepool, who have 35 professionals, all look stronger this season having lost in the play-offs last year," he goes on.

"Doncaster have added well, and you have to look at Bristol city when they are signing the likes of (Marcus) Stewart and (Michael) Bridges.

"Forest have invested heavily in players coming from clubs like Sheffield United and Wigan, which suggests they are still paying Championship wages.

"You wonder whether there will be a period of transition for them, Rotherham and Gillingham after relegation or whether they'll all hit the ground running.

"But what really fascinates me is how the promoted clubs will do, because I think Yeovil, Scunthorpe and Southend are all good sides.

"It may come down to strength in depth and who has the power to add players along the way."

At least Swansea have some financial muscle should they struggle to punch their weight.

So what of Jackett's side?

They certainly have a manager who knows his way around the division - and out of it.

He was assistant to Graham Taylor when he steered Watford to the then Division Two title in 1997-8, and he signed off pre-Swansea as Queens Park Rangers No. 2 with another promotion in 2003-4.

"I've worked in all four divisions, but this is the one I know best," Jackett accepts.

"At QPR we had a very experienced forward line in Paul Furlong, Kevin Gallen, Jamie Cureton and Tony Thorpe.

"We were completely unproven at the back, but Danny Shittu came through and proved to be the most vital player of all.

"Watford was different - and more like what we have here.

"We were very, very solid, didn't concede many goals and competed for everything.

"We signed Ronnie Rosenthal on a free from Spurs fairly early on in the season and he took us to another level in terms of quality going forward.

"He got injured at Christmas, but we were away by then and ended up winning the league."

Talk of titles this season is probably a bit much, with the bookmakers tipping Swansea to finish somewhere down in the teens.

Jackett is not having that.

"August will tell us a lot about where we are, but my aim is promotion," he declares.

"And I would say Swansea are well worth a bit of your money. Definitely worth a punt."

Queues stretched back as far as the eye could see as Swansea City fans waited in line to get their Lee Trundle wrist bands and meet the man himself. The New Stadium is only a couple of weeks old but yesterday it got its first taste of what could become a regular occurrence- Trundle-mania

Hundreds of supporters waited patiently not only to get their limited edition wrist band from the Swans and Osprey Superstore yesterday but also to get a certificate of authentication from the flamboyant striker.

The queue stretched from the store right back to the bridge at the retail park, as youngsters looked to get their hands on the wrist band.

The 28-year-old striker was on hand to meet the loyal fans.

Only 5,000 bands were made and with such a lengthy queue yesterday, they are likely to sell out ahead of tomorrow's big kick-off to the season in Coca-Cola League One against Tranmere Rovers.

The Swans/Ospreys store is open from 10am to 5pm today, and tomorrow from 9am until 6pm, but will be closed during the match.

TRANMERE ROVERS could not have been handed a more difficult opening League One Fixture than the visit to Swansea City tomorrow, manager Brian Little believes.

Little calculates that a combination of factors will test Tranmere's nerve and resilience as they face Swansea side fresh from promotion in front of a big crowd at the 20,000 capacity, New Stadium.

Even so he is confident Tran-mere are up to the task as they embark upon a quest to improve on last season's near miss by securing promotion next May.

Little says: "I have always thought that the most difficult away game of your season is your first, wherever you play.

"Then you add in the factors that Swansea have a brand new ground, they have just been promoted and the club is on the up.

"This game, against a team who were very competitive in this division last season is a very big occasion for them.

"From Swansea's point of view it's a great game and from our point of view it's a difficult game, but we know we are capable of doing well there."

Swansea officials are expecting a gate in the region of 16,000 at the £27million stadium at Morfa, two miles outside the city centre.

That would be the largest turnout for a Swansea home game sinc 1982 when Tottenham's first division visit attracted 16,381 people to the old Vetch Field ground.

Swansea have already smashed all records for season ticket sales this summer, selling close to 8,000 compared to 4,000 12 months ago.

The excitement in the South Wales city has been generated by the team's third-placed finish in League Two last season, earning automatic promotion and ending a four year spell in the Football League's basement division.

Little says: "Swansea have a history of playing in the top division, albeit for just a couple of years, back in the early 1980s.

"Recently they had a few things when things went against them but now in the last 12 months or so, they are looking up again and the club is on the up.

"They have a great new stadium and the playing surface is spot on."

SKIPPER Jason McAteer and defender Ian Goodison will be fit for action when Tranmere kick off the League One campaign with a visit to Swansea City tomorrow.

The pair shook off neck and knee injury problems respectively on the training ground over the last two days, leaving manager Brian Little with a strong selection hand for the long trip to South Wales. Only teenage striker Steve Davies is out of contention after taking a knock.

Little anticipates the 17-year-old, who signed his first professional contract after impressing in the pre-season games this summer, will spend the early part of the campaign watching and learning.

Says Little: "Steve has a natural talent and we think he will play his part this season.

"Perhaps early in the season he might spend some time watching games from the bench or the stand rather than playing in them. He has no experience yet of travelling around with the first team."

Meanwhile Little wants to see the future of Eugene Dadi resolved within the next few days.

The striker spent much of last week in Scandinavia talking over a move to Norwegian club, Aalesund.

Little understands Dadi is waiting for a formal contract offer from Norway which still hadn't arrived last night.

The Ivory Coast-born frontman has been training with Tranmere this week in anticipation of his two-year stay at Prenton Park coming to an end.

Little believes the Norwegians have had time enough to resolve the issue and if they don't push through with an offer he is anxious to turn the focus of Dadi's training work back onto Tranmere's agenda.

Dadi has another year of his Tranmere contract to run.

CHAMPAGNE and a sing-song for his team-mates, handcuffs and the inside of a police cell for Willy Gueret.
Safe to say that the Swansea goalkeeper's final memory of last season differs somewhat from all of the other players.

Little more than half an hour after winning promotion to League One at Bury, the Frenchman was being bundled into the back of a police van and hauled down the station following his shock arrest for supposedly shouting foul language at a police officer.

Gueret had been led away in handcuffs after police waded in to bring an abrupt halt to Swansea's post-match celebrations in the Gigg Lane directors' box.

Three months on and Gueret, later issued with a public order fixed penalty charge of £80, admits he's still baffled at why the whole unsavoury incident had to happen.

But, on the eve of the new season and Tranmere Rovers' visit to the New Stadium, the 32-year-old is determined to ensure only pleasant memories are created over the next nine months.

"If we win promotion this season, I'll make sure I don't end up in the back of a police van," said Gueret, about to embark on his second campaign as Swansea's No 1 shot-stopper.

"I don't want to be in any police cells this time. As long as people don't make stupid mistakes then I won't be.

"Looking back on the events at Bury, I just put it down to a mistake because nothing really happened.

"But what I've learnt is that if I'm in that position again, I'll try to keep my shirt on because I think that's where the mistake came from. They thought I was a hooligan.

"I'll always remember everything about that day - the game, the promotion, the fans...and being arrested and put into jail!

"But over the summer I haven't been thinking at all about the bad things. It's behind me already. I was just happy with the promotion and I enjoyed the summer break.

"Now we've got a new season in front of us and I'm concentrating on that. Hopefully we can create some good memories to go with those we have from last season."

While getting his collar felt may have guaranteed him cult status among Swans fans, Gueret had long since won the affection of the Vetch Field faithful.

Having arrived last summer as a virtual unknown, it didn't take Gueret five minutes to convince people he was an adequate replacement for the legendary Roger Freestone.

The former Milwall keeper was good for Swansea and, having escaped a club that is now in turmoil, Gueret is more convinced than ever that Swansea was good for him.

"I dropped down two divisions to join Swansea, but in the long term I think Swansea could be bigger and better (than Millwall)," he said.

"Millwall is a club where you never know exactly what's going on and you never know exactly who's in control.

"The board might make a decision and two days later they'll change it. It's a funny club sometimes.

"Swansea are now just one division below them and I reckon, with all the current uncertainty at the New Den, Millwall will struggle in the Championship this season.

"In fact, I think people should put some money on Millwall going down.

"I'm very pleased with the choice I made in coming to Swansea."

Pessimism about what lies in store for his former club contrasts sharply with the optimism enveloping his current one.

Are there any concerns about the defence, though? The back-five remains the same as last season - Sam Ricketts, Garry Monk, Izzy Iriekpen and Kevin Austin are likely to start in front of Gueret tomorrow - but the goalkeeper believes they can all handle the step up.

"I do think we're strong enough defensively to cope with the forwards in this division," Gueret says.

"We're capable of keeping a lot of clean sheets, which is something you can build on.

"The team as a whole is confident of doing something special again this season.

"I think it's important we do have some success. If you have a bad season and you go down, people forget about what you've done the year before. They have short memories.

"They say fans never forget, but fans forget easily the good things you've done in the past.

"You've just got to try to build something and see what happens. But it should be an exciting season."

LEE TRUNDLE insists he can score the goals that fire Swansea City into the top six this season.
Star striker Trundle made the bold claim as the Swans prepare for tomorrow's opening League One match at home to title hopefuls Tranmere Rovers.

More than 16,000 fans - the club's biggest crowd for 23 years - are expected for the first competitive fixture at Swansea's New Stadium as Kenny Jackett's side begin their quest for a second successive promotion.

And Trundle has promised to maintain the prolific strike rate that has seen him net 45 goals - 23 of which came during last year's promotion success - since arriving at the club two years ago.

"We want to push for a play-off spot, and I'm confident I can help get us there by scoring more goals than I did last season," said the former Wrexham striker.

"I don't mind it if the team depend on me for goals. I'm quite happy to shoulder that responsibility because I know I can step up into this division and carry on scoring."

Trundle, 28, had a low-key pre-season campaign, failing to hit the target in the high-profile friendlies against Fulham and Blackburn.

And those critics keen to label him a 'big fish in a small pond' have questioned his ability to continue hitting the target on a regular basis in a higher division.

But Trundle, who has shed 11lbs this summer after going on a rigorous fitness drive, is adamant he'll prosper in League One and spearhead another Swans promotion push.

He said, "I'm aware that a lot of people say 'He's done well in League Two, but can he do it at a higher level?' It's something that's spurred me on in as far as improving my fitness and looking forward to the new season.

"You can't change what people think off the field. You've just got to believe what you can do yourself and go out and play.

"I scored goals in this division for Wrexham (he got 12 in 2002-03). It's not something that's going to worry me.

"Yes, we're stepping up a level, but the way I look at it is you're still playing against 11 other players. I'll always get chances in games and I believe that through the season I'm going to score a lot of goals."

One bookmaker, Coral, clearly doesn't rate Trundle, leaving him out of a list of 17 strikers in the running to become League One's top 2005-06 goalscorer.

"I was told that one newspaper had me down at 33/1 to finish top scorer so if Coral haven't even got me in there, then I think that's a good bet," he said.

"Not in the top 17 strikers in the division? I'd expect to be top of the list!"

Trundle is just as confident that this will be a successful season for Swansea as they get ready to embark on their first campaign at this level for five years.

"I definitely think our squad is good enough to make the top six," he said. "We don't want to come in and just try and hold our own and be at the bottom in a dogfight because the players we've got here are better than that.

"It is a step up for us and we're not saying we're going to go out and trample all over teams. That's never going to happen.

"Last year was a hard test for us and this year will be the same, but I believe that we can get through it.

"As a team and as players, you can't go into a division worrying about what's going to happen, thinking 'Are they going to be better than us?' We're not going to be scared of anyone."

Sam Ricketts is calling on fans to pump up the volume this weekend as Swansea City get set for their biggest home league crowd since the First Division glory days. Club bosses are expecting around 16,000 supporters at Saturday's clash with Tranmere - which would be the largest turnout since Tottenham's visit to Vetch Field attracted 16,381 in 1982.

Swansea have already obliterated all previous records for season-ticket sales this summer, with close to 8,000 snapped up compared to fewer than 4,000 this time last year.

Thousands more tickets for Tranmere have gone this week, too, leaving Kenny Jackett's players anticipating a memorable atmosphere at the inaugural competitive game at their new home.

''We need The New Stadium to be just as intimidating for opposing teams as the Vetch was,'' Ricketts said, ''and from what we've seen so far, the fans will make it that way.

''The acoustics at the stadium are superb - the noise seems to stick in there which is what we need to happen.

''In a lot of new grounds you don't always get a good atmosphere, but it looks just from the friendlies like it's going to be different for us and that will definitely help us turn it into a fortress.

''To be honest, we can't wait to get out there and face Tranmere with a big crowd behind us. It's a huge game for us.''

Skipper Roberto Martinez echoed Ricketts's rallying cry, adding: ''One of the reasons for promotion last year was our crowd and our home form.

''We have to replicate that at the new ground so that teams come to Swansea feeling a little concerned. That starts against Tranmere.''

Around 800 to 1,000 of the weekend crowd are likely to be Rovers fans.

They will travel south full of expectation having missed out on promotion in the League One play-offs last May.

''It's going to be a tough game, so hopefully our fans can help the team along by generating the sort of special atmosphere we know they can,'' said Swansea director David Morgan.

''We cannot be certain at this stage, but we are hoping for a crowd in excess of 16,000. That sort of gate can only be good news for this club.''

The silly season might be upon us, but that is still no excuse for the ridiculous episode that has seen a West Wales football club arrange to play a European tie in Cardiff instead of at The New Stadium in Swansea. Their own ground having been deemed unsuitable for the home Uefa Cup date against 2004 Danish double-winners FC Copenhagen, Carmarthen Town this week opted to play the tie at Ninian Park on August 25.

So the club's supporters face a 160-mile round trip to a venue that is widely viewed as clapped out when they could have nipped down the road to spectate in the palatial surroundings of the arena at Morfa.

Bonfire Night might be three months away, but someone, somewhere needs a rocket because football fans in this area have been sold short.

We are told that StadCo - the organisation that controls The New Stadium - wanted £25,000 for the match to be played at Morfa, an amount Carmarthen were not prepared to pay.

''That is an awful lot of cash for a small club like ours,'' obliged Town coach Mark Aizlewood.

Indeed it is, so when Sam Hammam offered Ninian Park for next to nothing, it did not take the West Walians too long to say thanks, where can we park our cars?

This is all a shambles.

Carmarthen have not done their fans any favours on the night, and only they know whether they really wanted the game to be played at The New Stadium. But they can hardly be blamed for wanting to save themselves some cash.

What are the excuses at the Swansea end? If someone at Morfa did demand the quoted £25,000, the question needs to be asked how Cardiff City, a club with reported debts of around £30million, felt able to open their gates effectively for free.

Carmarthen chairman Jeff Thomas said an 11th hour offer from his Swansea City counterpart Huw Jenkins came too late, while Jenkins, who denies any knowledge of the alleged request for £25,000, insists the delay was caused because the ''rugby people and the groundstaff'' had to be spoken to first.

Whatever, it looks bad.

The New Stadium is not a charity operation, an open house to anyone who turns up bouncing a ball, but staging a Uefa Cup match would have helped develop the ground's standing and maybe encouraged fans from out west to come calling on other occasions.

There has to be flexibility and it isn't great PR to have a semi-pro club protesting that they've been scared off because of steep rental charges.

''Sam Hammam was delighted to accommodate us. He could be forgiven for looking to make five figures - the fact he isn't is a measure of the man,'' said Aizlewood.

For months the financial situation at Cardiff has meant Hammam has been a stranger to good publicity.

But he has shown up well in this episode.

And when Sam Hammam, with all the baggage he is carrying, steals good headlines at your expense, you know you really have underperformed.

Lessons need to be learned.

A NEW stadium for a new era? That's the plan down in Swansea as Kenny Jackett aims to keep the club moving on an upward trajectory.
Because it's not only the Vetch Field, the 92-year-old home that the club departed for a fresh start at the New Stadium, that the Swans are keen to leave behind.

Gone too, they hope, are the days of hanging around in the Football League's lowest tier, or of yo-yoing between what essentially, despite the irritating name changes, remain the Third and Fourth divisions.

Promotion from League Two at the end of last season was, they will tell you in Swansea, the beginning of a journey rather than the end of one.

The first stage of restoring the Swans to the higher echelons of English football, where they travelled to in such memorable fashion under John Toshack some 25 years ago.

There's little talk of consolidation, of spending a season finding their feet in the higher league before they attempt to climb another rung up the league ladder.

The Coca-Cola Championship is on Swansea's radar and they're keen to get there as quickly as possible.

And we're not talking the wide-eyed optimists who will romanticise that anything is possible - Jackett and his chairman, Huw Jenkins, have each expressed ambitions to push for back-to-back promotions.

With Saturday's opening-day visit of Tranmere Rovers to the superb new stadium, then, comes so much hope, so much promise.

But are the Swans really capable of moving straight on up to the Championship? Can they really sustain a top-six challenge?

The simple answer is why not? Anything Hull City can do inside their new stadium, Peter Taylor having steered the Tigers from League Two to the Championship in successive seasons, Swansea have every right to feel they can do too.

Plymouth Argyle, like Hull and Swansea another club with a sizeable catchment area, did the next best thing by making the double leap within three seasons.

And then there are the clubs who few would have tipped to be knocking on the Championship door. Hartlepool are the best example, having reached the play-offs in their first season in League One and the play-off final last term.

Then there's Doncaster Rovers, who, just 24 months after escaping the Nationwide Conference, missed out on the end-of-season lottery by one point, a play-off place eluding little Bournemouth by a similar margin.

No reason, therefore, why a club the size of Swansea, expected to have the backing of as many as 20,000 passionate fans at their proud new residence, should not have the top six in their sights.

Encouraging for Swansea is the fact they're being piloted by someone who knows the division pretty much inside out.

Jackett, remember, spent two seasons at this level as the Queens Park Rangers No 2, alighting at Loftus Road in 2001 and helping the London club finally reach the Championship three years later.

And it was in the old Division Two that the former Wales international enjoyed his sole season in charge of Watford, even if it was back in 1996.

Jackett admitted he knew little about League Two and look what he managed to achieve in his first full season as Swansea manager. If knowledge helps gets you places, then the Swans are in good hands this season.

As always, though, the big question is whether Jackett has assembled a squad strong enough to turn potential into reality.

Offensively, Swansea look in good shape. Lee Trundle, Adebayo Akinfenwa, Marc Goodfellow, Andy Robinson and Kevin McLeod is, on paper at least, an attacking armoury to rival any other in the division.

But, with Akinfenwa, Goodfellow and midfielder Owain Tudor Jones the only players to be recruited this summer, it is in other areas of the pitch that Swansea haven't managed to strengthen quite as they would have liked.

At the back, Swansea have two class acts in former Southampton man Garry Monk and Wales defender Sam Ricketts, the latter having just tied himself to the club until 2008.

Izzy Iriekpen had a good season last year, though he does remains prone to the odd error. Kevin Austin, too, had a solid 2004-05 campaign, but is he capable of repeating those heroics in a more demanding division?

Concerns such as these would be alleviated by the purchase of at least one more defender, preferably one with experience at this level.

Of course, they've got one already in Andy Gurney, but the former Swindon and Reading defender is out of favour for reasons that still haven't been properly explained.

Swansea could also do with another central midfielder. Local lad Kris O'Leary deservedly received plaudits aplenty for his robust efforts last term, but can we really expect him to do the same job every week in League One?

Even with the arrival of Tudor Jones, you sense that Swansea need a bit more back-up in this important area.

Generally, a generous £125,000 bid for Rochdale's star striker Grant Holt aside, the Swans have seemed reluctant to part with too much cash this summer.

It is one thing to try to be prudent and avoid being ripped off, but another entirely to keep the purse strings so tight that you risk going into the season weaker than you'd like to be.

Jackett's approach, though, is to use the first month of the season to assess whether his squad is strong enough to compete in this division. Presumably, he'll be handed the finances to act accordingly if the answer comes back as negative.

In the meantime much responsibility will again fall on the shoulders of headline acts like Trundle, under a degree of pressure to prove he's capable of maintaining a prolific striking rate in the higher division.

At the moment exciting wideman Goodfellow looks capable of scoring goals, while the giant Akinfenwa should hit the target regularly simply by getting in the way of defences.

Adrian Forbes looks in better shape than he did 12 months ago and Andy Robinson will be a major influence again once he returns from suspension.

Promotion is still on the agenda, but the suffocating pressure that always accompanied Swansea's attempts to escape League Two is missing this time round.

Whisper it quietly, but this could well be another season to shout about for the Swans.

WALES defender Sam Ricketts says he's happy to stay at Swansea City for many years to come - provided the club's ambitions match his own.
Ricketts gave the Swans a boost on the eve of the new season yesterday when he put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension keeping him at the club until 2008.

Since moving to South Wales just over 12 months ago Ricketts has already celebrated promotion to League One and picked up three Wales caps.

He attracted admiring glances from Premiership newcomers West Ham earlier this summer, but Ricketts believes he can achieve all his ambitions at Swansea as long as the club keeps looking upwards.

"I'm absolutely delighted to commit myself to a longer stay at Swansea," said the 23-year-old former Telford player, one of the stars of last season's promotion-winning side.

"The club is on the up and I want to be part of it.

"I know there was talk about West Ham, but Swansea is now a big club in its own right.

"There's a buzz about the place and, as long as everyone wants to progress, then I'm more than happy to be part of it.

"I'm glad to say that all the talk in the squad is about promotion and not survival. While the ambition is here, so am I.

"I'm really looking forward to the new season and I'm sure we can make a huge push for promotion again."

Adebayo Akinfenwa, meanwhile, has declared himself fit for Saturday's League One curtain-raiser against Tranmere Rovers at the New Stadium.

The former Torquay striker's pre-season campaign was curtailed by a hamstring strain he picked up in the 1-1 draw against Fulham last month.

But he should be fit to partner Lee Trundle in attack against one of the sides tipped for the League One title.

"I've been breaking my back to be fit for Tranmere," he said. "I want to get off to a good start and I want Swansea to get off to a good start."

Tranmere's high-profile club captain Jason McAteer could miss out on the opening match of the season, though.

The Republic of Ireland international is struggling with a neck injury he picked up during last Saturday's 2-0 pre-season defeat at Carlisle.

Swansea are in the dark over suggestions they may have to pay a fee for Owain Tudor Jones. Bangor City are reportedly chasing compensation for the 20-year-old, who rejected a new deal with them earlier this year and signed a 12-month Swansea contract over the weekend.

The Welsh Premier outfit believe they could have a case under Uefa's rules for transfers involving players under the age of 24 - just as Torquay did with Bayo Akinfenwa.

Chairman Huw Jenkins insists Swansea signed Tudor Jones believing he was a free agent but concedes they could yet be in for a nasty surprise.

''Sometimes you get a few shocks in this game,'' said Jenkins, still smarting over the £110,000 package set out by a Football League tribunal following Akinfenwa's move.

''And who knows? It may be that we are dealt another here.

''I've got no idea whether Bangor are entitled to any compensation, but as far as we were concerned, he was a player who was not under contract anywhere. As far as we knew he was a free agent until he signed for us last weekend.

''We've had nothing from the Football League saying that we cannot play him because of compensation.

''If Bangor feel they are entitled to something then they'll have to pursue it. That's up to them.''

Swansea boss Kenny Jackett does not believe a fee is due for Tudor Jones, but suggested a friendly could be arranged between the clubs as a sweetener for Bangor.

Meanwhile Sam Ricketts has finally signed a two-year contract extension which will keep him at The New Stadium until 2008.

The Welsh international, whose previous deal was due to expire at the end of the coming season, attracted interest from West Ham earlier this summer.

Fans are again being urged to buy tickets for Saturday's game with Tranmere in advance as there will be no cash admission on the turnstiles. The stadium ticket office is open every day between 11.30am and 7.30pm.

Bayo Akinfenwa is intent on starting his Swansea City career with a bang after declaring himself fit for Saturday's League One opener with Tranmere. The 17st powerhouse should make his competitive debut this weekend having recovered from the hamstring strain which spoiled his pre-season.

And Akinfenwa, signed from Torquay this summer, is keen to start repaying the possible £110,000 Swansea could end up shelling out for his services.

''I've been breaking my back to be right for Tranmere,'' Akinfenwa boomed, ''because this is my kind of game. I've been looking forward to it for a month - it's massive. I want to get off to a good start and I want to make sure Swansea get off to a good start.''

Akinfenwa returned to training this week after lasting only 45 minutes of the friendly with Fulham 11 days ago.

''Fingers crossed, there's been no reaction and I'll be fine on Saturday,'' he added.

''It was disappointing to miss out on Blackburn last weekend because you always want to go up against the big Premiership boys and I could have played at a push.

''But it's Tranmere that counts, so I was quite happy to make that sacrifice.''

Though he should feature against Brian Little's side, Akinfenwa's hamstring concerns may not be over.

''Looking at his record, it seems this problem does reoccur with Bayo,'' conceded boss Kenny Jackett, ''and in the long term I think (physio) Richie Evans and I will have to work with him to make sure he overcomes it.

''Lee Trundle has a similar history and, touch wood, we have handled him.

''Now we must give Bayo constant attention and make sure he does the rehabilitation work that's required.''

The immediate focus, though, is on a highly-fancied Tranmere outfit.

One of Akinfenwa's 16 goals last season came away at Prenton Park - but Torquay lost the game 4-1.

''They beat us at home and away and they are a strong side,'' he added. ''This is a tough division and one that I think will be harder than last year because there are a lot of sides like Tranmere in there who can do well.''

The 23-year-old reckons his new club have what it takes to humble their first opponents of the new campaign, though he is calling for calm should things go wrong.

''Last season we drew with Bristol City on the opening day and ended up getting relegated,'' he said.

''Hopefully we can hit the ground running, but if we don't then people shouldn't turn on us.

''We have got to find out our feet and, once we've done that, we'll be a force to be reckoned with.''

Fellow striker Lee Thorpe looks like being Swansea's only absentee on Saturday after he injured an ankle in last week's game at Forest Green.

Tranmere club captain Jason McAteer may miss Saturday's game at The New Stadium. The Republic of Ireland international hurt his neck during the 2-0 defeat at Carlisle in a pre-season friendly.

''Jason has a very sore neck and Ian Goodison came off with a swollen knee,'' manager Brian Little told the Liverpool Daily Post.

Little is hoping the surprising set-back will act as a wake-up call ahead of the visit to Swansea.

''We didn't look sharp and lively and that disappointed me. It's a kick up the backside before we start this week.

'''For the first 60 minutes we were cruising and it got gradually worse. In the first half we were stronger and could have taken a couple of chances but then we ended up very poor.

''The nice thing is it isn't next Saturday and we haven't lost the first game of the season. We've had a reminder that if you don't play well, this can happen to you.

''It might well be the best lesson we've had. Everybody is disappointed which you don't often get at pre-season.

''Everybody's mind is on Saturday. We were really sloppy in the last 10 minutes but in the week before the season starts nobody wants to get hurt.''

Swansea and Wales defender Sam Ricketts has committed himself to the club until 2008 after signing a two-year extension to his current contract. Ricketts, who joined the club last year, had a clause allowing for renegotiation if Swansea were promoted.

"It has taken a bit longer to finalise everything because of the hectic move to the New Stadium," 23-year-old Ricketts told the club's website.

"But I'm absolutely delighted to commit myself to a longer stay at Swansea."

In 12 months, Ricketts has risen from non-league Telford to Swansea, the League Two team of the season, and Welsh international honours.

He said he was glad all talk of a possible move can now be put behind him before the beginning of the new season.

"This club is on the up - and I want to be part of it. I know there was talk about West Ham, but Swansea is now a big club in its own right.

"There's a buzz about the place and as long as everyone wants to progress then I'm more than happy to be part of it.

"I'm glad to say that all the talk in the squad is about promotion and not survival. While the ambition is here, so am I.

"I'm really looking forward to the new season and I'm sure we can make a huge push for promotion again.''

SWANSEA CITY were on a collision course with Bangor last night over the signing of midfielder Owain Tudor Jones.
Bangor say they want compensation from Swansea after the League One club signed their former skipper Tudor Jones on a one-year contract.

Even though the 20-year-old was out of contract at Bangor, the Welsh Premier outfit want Swansea to pay them a fee under Uefa rules governing the transfer of young players.

Bangor argue they should be compensated for nurturing and developing the talent of a player who made his first-team debut for them when he was just 16.

The North Wales club hope their case is strengthened by the fact they offered Tudor Jones an improved contract on three separate occasions amid interest in him from several Football League clubs.

But Swansea are to set resist any attempt by Bangor to gain compensation for a player they believed was a free agent.

The dispute may have to be resolved by the Football Association of Wales, who could order Swansea to make some compensatory payment under Uefa rules governing the transfer of out-of-contract players under the age of 23.

"Over the last four years, we've done everything we can to nurture and develop Owain," said Bangor chairman Ken Jones.

"We've done everything he wanted - he was our star player, we made him captain and he even worked for me in my own business for a while just to give him an extra wage.

"His contract with us expired in May, but we've offered him an improved deal three times in the last six months.

"We certainly don't begrudge him moving to Swansea to further his own career.

"But I do plan to speak to the Swansea chairman to see if we can agree some kind of compensation.

"We're not asking for a lot, but we feel we should have some because there were offers on the table for Owain from other Football League clubs."

Swans chairman Huw Jenkins, however, said, "I haven't heard from anyone at Bangor yet, so I haven't a clue what kind of contract Owain was on there.

"But we wouldn't want to have to pay any compensation for Owain. Why should we?

"Our view is we signed a player who was out of contract and had no link with any club."

Tudor Jones, meanwhile, looks likely to be the last new arrival at Swansea's New Stadium before the start of the season.

Boss Kenny Jackett, who earlier this week inquired about West Ham's Wales international Gavin Williams, is still looking to add a midfielder and a defender to his squad.

But it looks increasingly likely just three fresh faces - Adebayo Akinfenwa and Marc Goodfellow as well as Tudor Jones - will run out for Saturday's League One curtain-raiser against Tranmere.

Swansea are expecting a near-capacity crowd of 19,000 for the first competitive fixture at their new stadium at Morfa.

Swansea City manager Kenny Jackett has enquired about Gavin Williams - the player notorious for his Cardiff City-style 'Ayatollah' goal celebration at Vetch Field 19 months ago. Williams, a Cardiff fan from Merthyr, wound up 9,000 home fans after scoring in Yeovil's 3-2 defeat by Swansea in December 2003.

Now Jackett has declared an interest in bringing Williams to The New Stadium - though the chances of a move appear slim.

West Ham, who paid Yeovil £250,000 for the 25-year-old last December, have indicated that they will not consider letting the player leave until the new season is under way.

And even if the Premiership new boys do choose to offload him eventually , there is likely to be a queue of Championship clubs lining up for his signature with Ipswich thought to be big admirers.

Called into the Wales squad by John Toshack but so far uncapped, Williams has yet to hit the heights at Upton Park having struggled with injury last season.

His reputation as a talented midfielder capable of scoring goals remains intact, though, and he would be an impressive acquisition for Swansea - even if their fans would need some convincing.

''I have made an enquiry about him,'' said Swansea boss Jackett.

''West Ham said no to the idea of taking him on loan and no to taking him permanently. That's as far as it has gone.''

Williams began his career at Hereford before switching to Yeovil in 2002.

He scored 21 goals in more than 100 appearances for the Glovers before Alan Pardew splashed out in the winter.

He joins Rushden & Diamonds' Andy Burgess and Fulham's Darren Pratley on the list of midfielders Swansea have tried and failed to recruit during the close season.

And Jackett is now beginning to accept that Bayo Akinfenwa, Marc Goodfellow and Owain Tudor Jones will be his only summer signings.

''I'll stick to my policy of staying open to anything,'' he added, ''but I wouldn't say I'm close to getting anybody.

''There's nobody I am right on the trail of and it looks like we'll go with what we've got unless something changes between now and the end of August.''

A more pressing concern for Jackett is Saturday's League One opener at home to Tranmere.

''We're all excited about what's coming up,'' he added.

''Not just Tranmere, but all the games throughout August will be a yardstick to tell me as manager what I have to do to produce a team that can compete and be successful.''

Swansea have reported healthy ticket sales for the weekend, with the stadium ticket office open every weekday between 11.30am and 7.30pm.

Carmarthen Town chairman Jeff Thomas was left astounded after officials at The New Stadium Swansea contacted him again about the prospect of staging the club's second qualifying round Uefa Cup match. The West Wales club, who face the 2003-04 Danish double winners FC Copenhagen in nine days' time, first approached Swansea City about staging the first leg of the match at the 20,500 all-seater ground on Friday.

Thomas says he was told by a stadium official that it would cost £25,000 to stage the match. Carmarthen then contacted Cardiff City, who offered them the use of Ninian Park for free.

''I don't know why the Swansea chairman (Huw Jenkins) got in contact yesterday,'' said Thomas after taking up the Cardiff offer.

''Maybe it was because Sam Hamamm had offered us the use of their ground.

''I don't know how much it would have cost at Swansea because they said they could do us a favourable deal. When we contacted them on Friday they said it would cost at least £25,000.

''We had to make a decision by midday yesterday as we had to inform Uefa and FC Copenhagen. This offer came too late.''

While Thomas said he was quoted £25,000 for the use of The New Stadium, Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins does not know where that figure came from.

''There is nothing in the £25,000 thing. If they wanted to stage the game at Swansea we would have done everything in our power to make sure it happened,'' Jenkins said.

''The reason why we had to wait until Monday to get back to them was that we had to speak with the rugby people and the groundstaff - the match is the same week as the soccer international here against Slovenia.

''We are disappointed that they have chosen Cardiff. Their goalkeeper (Tony Pennock) is our goalkeeping coach and our head of youth development (Dave Moss) used to play for them, so we would have made sure that the game went ahead.''

Because of the use of Ninian Park, Carmarthen have been forced to switch the tie around, handing Copenhagen home advantage in the first leg on August 11, with the second leg being played a fortnight later.

The West Wales side travel to the 42,000-capacity Parken stadium, which also hosts the Denmark national side, in a bid to repeat their dazzling display in the 5-1 win over Longford Town in the second leg of the last round.

Mark Jones's side played their home leg at the Latham Park ground of fellow Welsh Premier side Newtown as Carmarthen's Richmond Park was not granted a licence by Uefa as it does not have the capacity for 1,000 seats.

Swansea City complete their pre-season preparations against Macron Welsh League first division newcomers Neath Athletic at Llandarcy Park tomorrow (7pm). With the opening Coca-Cola League match against Tranmere just days away, it will be a youthful squad which makes the short trip east.

Assistant manager Kevin Nugent will look after a side featuring the likes of Mark Pritchard, Chad Bond and Shaun Macdonald.

An amalgam of the Neath and Skewen clubs, Athletic manager Andrew Dyer has assembled a formidable squad in a quest to lift the title at the first time of asking.

The Swans are likely to cross swords with two former players in David D'Auria and Jonathan Keaveny.

And a potent front line will also include Andy Hill and Carl Shaw, a close-season capture from Port Talbot Town.

Ex-Cardiff City wideman Leon Jeanne is another summer recruit while Martyn James is on board from Briton Ferry.

Neath are likely to parade a promising 16-year-old Steve Davies, who has had trials with Swansea.

Neath have already accounted for third division opposition in newcomers West End and Cambrian & Clydach.

NEATH ATHLETIC (from): H. Liddell, M. Snell, B. Timothy, L. Hancock, S. Evans, L. Jeanne, D. Gardner, S. Davies, P. Carpenter, C. Shaw, J. Keaveny, A. Hill, S. Dyer, M. James, A. Fairbairn, D. D'Auria, S. Pockett, R. Caldwell, I. Vaughan, J. Hislop.

Bangor City say they want compensation from Swansea City for their former captain Owain Tudur-Jones. The 20-year-old midfielder, who made his first-team debut for Bangor as a 16-year-old, has signed a one-year contract with the League One side.

Bangor have told BBC Wales they hope the FA of Wales will rule that the Swans must pay Bangor under Uefa rules over out-of-contract young players.

Tudur-Jones made his Swansea debut in last month's friendly draw with Fulham.

He was originally given a one-month contract, but Swansea increased that to a year's deal after rivals Tranmere and Swindon showed an interest in the tall midfielder.

"I'm delighted," Tudur-Jones told BBC Wales Sport of his first professional contract.

"I've worked quite hard for the last couple of years and I feel I deserve a shot at full-time football.

"Thankfully Swansea have taken a chance on me and it's up to me to show what I can do.

"I feel I've got the ability to do well at this level.

"It might be a case of training hard and getting used to the pace, but I definitely feel I've got the capabilities to get a good season under my belt this year."

NEW system, new stadium, new pitch.
No wonder Leon Britton can't wait for the new season to kick-off on Saturday with Swansea City starting out on life in League One at home to Tranmere Rovers.

As the dust settled on Swansea's promotion chapter last season it looked as if Britton had played his final game for the club during that nerve-jangling climax at Bury.

The skilful Londoner did not appear to figure in boss Kenny Jackett's plans, but the West Ham product was persuaded his future lay in South Wales and he hit the pre-season programme running.

Benefiting from Jackett's decision to switch formations - from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 - Britton would seem to be in pole position to fill one of the three midfield roles come Saturday.

"Everything's been geared towards getting a place against Tranmere," admitted the 22-year-old.

"I'm pretty pleased with the way my pre-season's gone. I played 80 minutes against Fulham and 90 against Blackburn on Saturday.

"It's always pleasing to get those games under your belt in pre-season because the games come so fast now.

"We've got seven games in August so it's bang straight into it, and everyone wants to get a decent run in the team."

While Britton yearns for first-team action, he is also thrilled at Swansea's New Stadium home and the bigger playing surface than the players were used to at the Vetch.

For someone who should revel in the wider spaces available, the move to a new ground coinciding with Swansea's escape from a division where passing football was at a premium could not have been better timed.

"It's a big pitch and hopefully I'll find more room out there," he said.

"Moving up a division will also mean a lot more football being played and that will suit not only me, but a lot of the lads.

"We've only played here twice so we're still getting used to the surroundings, but we like to play and I think the size of the pitch will help us.

"I'm really looking forward to the new season as things didn't go so well for me last year.

"But if the manager goes with the change of formation he has been playing in pre-season then hopefully I will nail down one of the three places in midfield.

"In a 4-4-2 system I'm seen as a more right-sided player. But with 4-3-3 there's three central midfield roles.

"That's my favoured position and if we do choose to go that way then it should look good for me."

Though Britton was restricted to 16 league starts last season (he made almost as many appearances from the bench), he believes the experience helped him mature both on and off the pitch.

And, despite tough personal circumstances, he says that it is a season he will always reflect on with some fondness.

"Things were difficult last year as I didn't play as much as I would have liked," he said.

"But you've got to look back on it as a promotion year, so it was a good experience in that respect.

"I've not been playing first-team football that long and to get promotion was a great feeling.

"I learned a lot from last season and feel I've grown up a bit and become a better person.

"When you're playing week-in, week-out all the time I suppose you can take it for granted.

"But knock-backs build you up and make you stronger. Hopefully, I can use that experience going into the new season."

That campaign starts at the New Stadium with Tranmere, beaten in the League One play-off semi-finals in May, the first visitors to Swansea.

It is also the first meeting between the two clubs since Tranmere won an FA Cup fifth round tie at Prenton Park in February 2004.

"I played in that game and we were pretty unlucky. We gave a good account of ourselves," recalled Britton.

"Maybe we do owe them one for that because, to be honest, it was disappointing to play them really.

"We kept looking for a big side but it never happened for us and we ended up drawing Tranmere in the fifth round.

"But this time it's a good standard to test ourselves. They've been one of the top teams in the division for the last few years, so it will be interesting for us to see how good they are."

While everyone around The New Stadium Swansea is patting themselves on the back for a job well done, Blackburn Rovers boss Mark Hughes found a problem with the new ground. The former Wales manager was unhappy with the length of the grass on the new surface at the 20,500 all-seater stadium and felt it took his Premiership stars a while to get used to the pitch before Blackburn Rovers eventually ran out 4-1 winners in Swansea City's last pre-season friendly.

"The grass caught us out early in the first period," said Hughes.

"But then we got our passing going and movement was a lot better.

"The stadium is fantastic, but I thought that the pitch was a little bit long.

"But overall it was fantastic and I am sure the people of the city will enjoy it."

Hughes's criticism of the playing surface may come as something of a blow to groundstaff at the stadium who have spent many months trying to ensure that the pitch will be suitable for both football and rugby.

But while Hughes was criticising the pitch, the former Wales chief praised Kenny Jackett's first half tactics and feels that their attacking formation will serve them well in Coca-Cola League One, which begins in five days.

"I thought that Swansea looked lively - particularly in the first half," added Hughes.

"They played 4-3-3 and it looked quite positive.

"They have some tidy footballers in the middle of the park and I am sure that they will have a good season."

However, in praising the footballing side, Hughes felt that the Swansea fans were a little harsh on Wales international Robbie Savage.

The former Birmingham City and Leicester City midfielder was booed and jeered every time he touched the ball.

Home supporters also chanted 'There's only one John Toshack' in support of Hughes's successor in the Wales hot seat.

Hughes has called on the Swansea legend to give his no-nonsense midfielder clarification on his international future.

"Robbie needs to get it clear in his own mind whether he is an international footballer or not an international footballer," Hughes said.

"I would like this to be clarified by John Toshack. Robbie would like to play for Wales again, but I rather doubt that he will.

"It is disappointing that the crowd got on his back, but that only makes him play better. It is not surprising that he got a lot of stick because the crowd have been fed a lot of rubbish from a lot of avenues and maybe that has clouded their opinion of Robbie."

Mark Hughes remembered what it is like to win in Wales; Kenny Jackett discovered the losing feeling at the New Stadium Swansea. For Hughes, this was an ultimately comfortable step en route to the new Premiership season, even if he did have a moan about the pitch.

For his opposite number in the home dugout - who incidentally described it as superb - the playing surface was the least of worries.

Now there is no shame in being beaten by top-flight opponents when you have just escaped the old Division Four.

That is what is supposed to happen.

And it is worth remembering at this time of each footballing year that all sorts of results can be thrown up.

Having said that, Swansea City could have done without this humbling just seven days before the Rovers of Tranmere arrive for the curtain-raiser in Coca-Cola League One.

Losing to Blackburn Rovers may not be worth getting too upset about, but shipping four goals on the ground you hope to make a fortress cannot be considered an eve-of-season boost.

Jackett's post-match pep talk proved that.

"I've spoken in the dressing room about not letting the margin of defeat damage our morale," he said.

"And I've spoken about how we handled defeat last season. Invariably we bounced back with a very good performance and that's something we have to do.

"From time to time in football, things will go wrong."

His brave face on, Jackett was nevertheless a little less bold in his assessment of the campaign ahead than he has been at other points this summer.

Bayo Akinfenwa should come good, Owain Tudor Jones has real promise and Marc Goodfellow continues to impress in a Swansea shirt, but there can be no doubt that Jackett's recruitment drive has not gone entirely according to plan since May.

Perhaps that explains his less bullish late July forecast, where there are a few more clouds in the sky than had appeared in the wake of promotion from League Two.

"By the end of August we will know a bit more about where we are," said the Swansea boss.

"The season's upon us now and we have seven games in the month ahead.

"As much as pre-season can tell you, it's the games when points are on offer that give you an indication of what you need and how you are going to perform in the future.

"We have a very testing month ahead of us and after that I think we'll be able to assess how far we've come and whether we can make an impression in the new division."

In fairness, Swansea might have made more of a mark on Blackburn.

A week after finishing strongly in a 1-1 draw with Fulham, they started on the front foot here.

Brad Friedel, Rovers' classy goalkeeper, was leaping to save inside the first minute after Kristian O'Leary's clever pass sent in Goodfellow.

Adrian Forbes should have scored with a header from Lee Trundle's smart cross, while Friedel was again reacting to block O'Leary's goalbound effort with only seven minutes on the clock.

American Friedel denied Trundle after a fine Goodfellow-inspired break and kept out another shot from the ex-Bristol City winger before Morten Gamst Pedersen rose highest at the other end to give Hughes's team the lead.

Turning round behind was harsh on Swansea, for the most notable contribution from any Rovers player aside from the goal in the opening 45 was an ugly tackle by Robbie Savage on Trundle.

Savage, all flowing locks and flailing limbs as usual, was withdrawn at the interval having won a few more friends in football.

Do not expect to see him back at Morfa later this month for Wales's friendly with Slovenia.

Though Savage's departure began a procession of Blackburn changes, the visitors took charge in the second period.

Steven Reid's fine header doubled the advantage and Michael Gray added a third after Alan Tate's mistake.

In a reminder of what Swansea will be missing during the five-match suspension which opens his new season, substitute Andy Robinson salvaged some pride with a clever quick free-kick which embarrassed Friedel at his near post.

It was not the best afternoon for keepers - Willy Gueret might have saved Pedersen's opener, while Brian Murphy, on for the last 11 minutes, did not get close to the cross which saw Matt Derbyshire register a fourth Blackburn goal in stoppage time.

"The game here is different from what we were used to at the Vetch," reckoned Jackett.

"It's more open because of the wide-open spaces, which means you need more control of the ball and control of the play.

"You need to be more athletic to get yourself into the game, too."

There are two more obvious lessons which Swansea must learn before Tranmere, lessons which are valid whatever stadium you might be playing in: make sure you take your chances and do not give away sloppy goals.

Manage both of those and Jackett should be in upbeat mood come September.

Roberto Martinez is steering clear of any bold predictions as Swansea City gear up for their return to League One. Swansea's club skipper is not entertaining talk of back-to-back promotions after Kenny Jackett's men rounded off their pre-season preparations with a 4-1 humbling by Blackburn on Saturday.

Instead Martinez has hinted that merely establishing a foothold on the third rung of the English football ladder would be a decent return from the campaign ahead.

Though he was not at the club at the time Martinez, like many fans, seems conscious of Swansea's last foray out of the Football League basement, when they were relegated just 12 months after winning the 2000 Third Division title.

''As this club has seen in the past, it's no good taking one step forward and then two back,'' said the Spanish midfielder, who lifted a silver salver in recognition of last season's promotion over the weekend.

''And what we will try to do this year is take steady, solid steps forward. That means trying to get the very best out of the squad we have, trying to perform as well as we can in each game we play.

''Only when we do that will we see how good we are and where we can go. Then we can talk about objectives in the league in February or March.

''To say what we are going to do in August would be a big mistake.''

Comprehensive defeat by Blackburn, when Andy Robinson's goal provided little consolation given that he now begins a five-match suspension, means Jackett's side head into the new season still looking for a first victory at their new home.

And Tranmere are hardly likely to roll over when they arrive next weekend - Brian Little's side missed out in the League One play-offs in May and are among the favourites to finish in the top two this time around.

''Getting a good start is important to every side,'' added Martinez, ''but we are up against one of the best sides in the division and it will be a big test.

''What we have to try to do is settle in the new division, and that's what the first 10 games are going to be all about.

''It will help if we can get our home form going, because that was one of the keys to our success last season.''

Swansea should have a bumper crowd helping them along in five days' time after safety chiefs lifted the capacity at the New Stadium to the maximum 20,500.

They also hope to have a fully-fit squad, with Bayo Akinfenwa (hamstring) expected to be available.

The first defeat of a mixed pre-season was not the ideal way to sign off, but Martinez dismissed suggestions that morale may be dented.

''We have to remember that Blackburn are a Premiership team,'' he said, "and also that the scoreline didn't really tell the story of the game.

''I believe that we are progressing as a team every time we step onto the pitch.''

Kenny Jackett says Swansea have had to tinker with their playing style to cope with the difference between their New Stadium home and the old Vetch Field. "The playing surface is superb, it's fantastic, but the game is slightly different," said the Swansea manager.

"It's more open than the Vetch, you need more control of the ball and more control of the play.

"There's some very wide, open spaces and you need to be athletic to get yourself into the game as well."

Swansea completed their pre-season on Saturday with a 4-1 loss to Premiership side Blackburn Rovers.

Jackett's side kick-off the new season next Saturday with a home match against Tranmere Rovers.

SKIPPER Roberto Martinez denied Swansea City's heavy home defeat had dented morale heading into the club's League One campaign.
The wasteful Swans were given a Premiership masterclass in the art of finishing as Blackburn Rovers inflicted the first pre-season defeat on Kenny Jackett's newly-promoted side.

But Martinez drew comfort from the fact Swansea dominated the opening half-hour without converting three or four golden goal-scoring opportunities.

"The result won't dent us because if you look at the game on the full 90 minutes it gives you a better picture of what happened," said the influential Spaniard.

"Look at the shots and the crosses we had and all the opportunities are something to build on.

"The scoreline is something I am not worried about because they are a Premiership side and you expect them to be clinical.

"We can take a lot of good things from the game. If we play the way we did in the opening half-hour, then I guarantee we'll get in front against teams.

"When you play well you need to score. It was the only negative point that when we were controlling the game we didn't do that.

"The problem was that we were playing quality opposition and you expect them to take their chances."

Martinez expressed his delight at a pre-season itinerary that has seen Swansea lose to Blackburn, draw with Forest Green Rovers and Fulham and beat Merthyr and Bridgwater.

The Swans have come through that programme with no injuries (the absent Adebayo Akinfenwa would have played on Saturday had it been a league game) and Martinez believes that has put them in good stead for next weekend's League One opener with Tranmere at the New Stadium.

"I've been very happy with our pre-season, we've been working hard tactically and we haven't had any injuries," he said.

"The big concern is when you have three, four or five players missing. We're in fantastic shape, we're developing every time we get on the pitch and everyone is available.

"Now we need to settle into the division after getting promotion last season. The first 10 games are very important and starting with Tranmere is good. They're going to be one of the favourites (for promotion) and it's going to be a fantastic test.

"The quicker we settle, the quicker we can talk about our aims this season. We'll be able to see how good we are and where we could go.

"It would be a big mistake in August to talk about long-term aims. But we can put ourselves against any side in the division and try to win the game.

"That's what we have to do and then in February and March we will be able to see where we are and take it from there.

"We must take solid steps forward and see the football club develop."

Having revelled in his midfield skirmishes with Robbie Savage and Turkish ace Tugay, Martinez knows League One opponents will present far different tests than Mark Hughes' star-studded Rovers.

But he is also aware that Swansea need to settle into the more expansive spaces of their New Stadium home as quickly as possible.

"We've got a few games under our belt and, like against Fulham last week, we were able to test ourselves in different departments," he said.

"The two games have been fantastic exercises because we have been able to work towards certain things. We know we not going to play sides in our league like Fulham and Blackburn, that's for sure.

"We've also shown the way we can play on this ground as a lot of teams will come here to try and stop us playing our football.

"We need to settle in the stadium and get our home form going because that was one of the keys of our success last season.

"We must carry on the momentum we had at the Vetch Field and get that going from the first day.

"We've got good competition in the squad, a few players for every position, and that's going to get the best out of us.

"If we get the best out of the dressing room, then I think we'll go far and take the club forward."

AS his critics claim he could start a fight in an empty bar, becoming the talking point from a truncated 45-minute appearance was small beer for Robbie Savage.
Back on Welsh soil at Swansea's New Stadium (though his international nemesis John Toshack was not there to see it) Savage got the kind of treatment normally reserved for him at Premiership arenas.

Booed every time he touched the ball, Savage, sporting his usual mane of blond hair, had to endure taunts of "Gipsy" from a raucous home element in the 12,000-plus crowd.

How the Swans faithful, obviously keen to transfer the fear factor of their old Vetch fortress to plush new surroundings, delighted in the sprightly Leon Britton skipping away from the flat-footed Savage on 22 minutes.

Or when three minutes later Savage, under no pressure, tried to find an "invisible" team-mate and rolled the ball embarrassingly into touch.

Two moments that might have handed Toshack further evidence, if he indeed needs it, that Savage is not cut out to play a part in his international reign.

To be fair to Savage, he is still recovering from groin trouble, the latest injury to blight his Blackburn career since his controversial January move from Birmingham City.

That was why Rovers boss Mark Hughes restricted Savage to a first-half show against Swansea, while fellow Welshman Craig Bellamy did not even make the trip after damaging an ankle in training on Thursday.

Given the fact, though, that Bellamy hails from Cardiff and might have expected an even rougher reception than Savage it was probably a good game for the £5m striker to miss.

As Savage seeks a truce with the Wales management and a return to the international stage on which he became a regular during Hughes' tenure, the Blackburn boss has called for closure on the matter.

Sparky is never one to get reporters rolling in the aisles like wise-cracking pair Dave Bassett or Barry Fry, but he struck a serious post-match note with Toshack, the Welsh media and the home supporters in the line of fire (all Savage-related) after Blackburn's comfortable win.

Even the grass in the New Stadium got a kicking from a man who could dish them out during a distinguished playing career among some of Europe's top clubs.

"The pitch was a bit long to say the least," said Hughes after seeing his Premiership stars outplayed for the opening half-hour and almost embarrassed.

"The grass certainly caught us out in the first period of the game. It took us a while to get our passing going, but our movement was better when we did."

The early evidence suggested that if anyone was going to win 4-1 it would be Swansea as they carved out several glorious openings against a first-choice Rovers back four.

Marc Goodfellow - on target against Fulham the previous week - tested Brad Friedel at his near post inside 50 seconds and Adrian Forbes had two gilt-edged chances by the 11-minute mark.

First he headed over when Lee Trundle tricked Andy Todd on the by-line and then he failed to convert a rebound after Friedel had pushed down Kris O'Leary's header.

Trundle, slipped through by the impressive Goodfellow from the halfway line, was then denied his first goal at the New Stadium when Friedel used his legs to block at the near post.

"We did well for 35 minutes, got a press on Blackburn and had a strong foothold on the game," said Swansea boss Kenny Jackett.

"But it's all about taking your chances and, hopefully, they'll go in next week.

"We were unlucky not to score and I felt it was a bit harsh that we were behind at half-time.

"But they opened up and moved away from us in the second half, though we could still have scored some goals."

The turning point arrived when Morten Pedersen was left unchecked from a deep Paul Gallagher cross and the Norwegian wideman, as he had done in the FA Cup at Cardiff in January, put Blackburn ahead with a header that Willy Gueret might have dealt with.

Swansea were never the same force again with Goodfellow's half-time withdrawal reducing their attacking potency.

Whereas Trundle had received plenty of early service at the focal point of Swansea's 4-3-3 system, he suddenly became isolated and a peripheral figure.

While Toshack might have noted that Blackburn's midfield command was complete after Savage's departure, Swans fans probably yearned for the absent muscle of Adebayo Akinfenwa that would have allowed Trundle to drop deeper and influence matters.

But the die was cast and Steven Reid reached Brett Emerton's cross to head powerfully home from 12 yards.

An eventful finale saw Rovers substitutes Michael Gray and Matt Derbyshire score past Swans No 2 Brian Murphy, the goals sandwiching a cheeky free-kick from Andy Robinson.

Part of a lively cameo, the goal underlined how much Robinson will be missed in the season's early weeks because of suspension.

"Robbo's got a big influence in terms of creativity and also goal-scoring," said Jackett, who, with the exception of the injured Akinfenwa, gave a run-out to the side expected to take on Tranmere in the League One opener on Saturday.

"He has got vital goals in my time here, but we feel we've got a strong enough squad to cope without him at the moment.

"There were some very good performances and that bodes well for the Tranmere game.

"We've had two opportunities to play here now and the game is slightly different from the Vetch.

"The game is more open, you need more control of the ball and the play. There are a lot of wide open spaces and you need to be athletic to get into the game."

How Savage would love to explore those open spaces again when Wales entertain Slovenia in Swansea on August 17. But don't bet on it happening.

It did not need Jamie Oliver to banish the burgers in the McLeod household this summer. No Naked Chef campaign was required, either, to give Snickers the flick.

All it took was the realisation that he had not yet done himself justice as a Swansea City player and Kevin McLeod was a man on a mission.

It was not that the winger from Liverpool needed to shed a couple of pounds - if anything, he has looked short of his fighting weight since arriving in South Wales five months ago.

No, McLeod knew something had to be done after a nasty bout of laryngitis which was troubling him as he drove west along the M4 from Queens Park Rangers in February and left him stuck in the low gears for the rest of the season.

Hence while most of Swansea's squad have been enjoying close-season Cornettos, McLeod has been busy loading himself with the kind of fuels he hopes will see his star burning bright next year.

"There were no burgers and no beers for me this summer," the former Everton youngster reveals.

"Alcohol is a no-no and I haven't been eating any chocolate or sugary stuff. It's energy you don't need.

"I've been eating lots of fish and pastas, getting plenty of sleep and generally looking after myself.

"I've worked on my diet and I've been training hard to make sure I'm right for the new season."

So intense has been McLeod's new regime, in fact, that he has not troubled the travel agents this year.

"I sat down with the gaffer straight after we won promotion," he explains.

"He said that because I had not been properly fit after the laryngitis, he wanted me to stay in Swansea and focus on getting myself right.

"I have been doing Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the gym at the Glamorgan (Health & Racket club) and sometimes swimming on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

"(Physio) Richie Evans has been working with me and even when I've been back up to Liverpool I've been carrying on the training.

"I haven't been on holiday. I haven't really stopped."

Big things were expected of McLeod, who commanded a fee of £250,000 when he left Goodison Park for Loftus Road two years ago, when Kenny Jackett raided his old club last winter.

"When I signed I thought it would take me about a month to get up to full speed, but it never really happened," reckons McLeod.

"I was still carrying the illness and I think in a way I made myself worse.

"The gaffer could see I was trying my hardest in training but things weren't coming off.

"Hopefully, now that I've done the work he asked me to do, things will change."

As he glances across the 20,500-capacity stadium Swansea now call home, the 24-year-old's determination to succeed in 2005-6 is clear.

This is a player, after all, who grew up alongside the likes of Wayne Rooney and Francis Jeffers - a good friend to this day - on the blue side of Stanley Park.

This is a player, also, who almost made the breakthrough as a top-flight Toffee and who took Division Two - now League One - by storm when he migrated to London.

"I haven't done myself justice at Swansea," he admits, "and I want to change that.

"Coming into a side that was chasing promotion, I wanted to explode like a box of fireworks.

"But it never happened for me and I realise that.

"You could get 20 minutes out of me but then I would have nothing left in the bag. I wouldn't be able to run and I wasn't confident on the ball because of the way I was feeling.

"That's why I've sacrificed some other things this summer - to put my football right."

With Andy Robinson and new recruit Marc Goodfellow to compete with on the left of Swansea's midfield, you feel McLeod must raise his standards if he is to hold down a place in Jackett's first team.

One thing seems clear: he will not lose out because of a lack of effort.

"I've got a point to prove. I've got to prove myself to the fans, to the chairman and to the club and that's what I plan to do."

One week to go before a new term starts and Garry Monk believes he has graduated from the school of card knocks. Three cards, all red, left an ugly black mark on Monk's first end-of-year report as a Swansea City player.

And as the normally sophisticated central defender limbers up for his second Swansea campaign, the memory of a most unwanted hat-trick lingers.

Lovely as the new stadium's facilities are, Monk does not want first use of Morfa's pristine baths.

"Can you imagine?" he says with some trepidation, "getting sent off in the first game."

Fingers crossed that unwelcome honour will not fall to anyone, but especially not Monk.

Unquestionably, the 26-year-old is not your average lower-league clogger at the back.

He is not the sort who makes a living purely by sticking head and feet in places others would not go, hence his six years spent as a Premiership player with Southampton.

He is not the sort, either, who considers booting opponents into the air to be part of his defensive armoury.

But there can be little argument with a trio of sendings off inside a season, however harsh a couple of them may have been.

One of the worst disciplinary records in the Coca-Cola League saw Monk miss a whopping 10 games through suspension last season.

Anything close to a repeat performance this time around will be hard to bear.

"Hopefully last season will be a one-off," adds Monk.

"I still feel I was unlucky with two of the red cards, but having said that I'm responsible for what I do and it's my fault that I got sent off. I'll learn from it, for sure, but I'm not really that sort of player anyway.

"I was sent off a couple of times playing for Southampton's reserves over the years and once as a youth-team player a long time ago, but that was it.

"I'd never had a problem with cards at any stage in my career before last season and hopefully that will be the case again from now on.

"I'm looking forward to what I hope will be a full, clean season."

If nothing else, Monk aims to find his way into referees' good books so that whenever his name his mentioned, talk of discipline will not follow in the same breath.

"I think I must have been asked about it about 5,000 times," he sighs.

The Bedford product prefers to speak about the great success of a Swansea rearguard brought together by Kenny Jackett 12 months ago.

Monk arrived from Barnsley, Sam Ricketts from Telford, Kevin Austin from Bristol Rovers, Willy Gueret from Millwall and, a little later than the rest, Andy Gurney from Swindon Town.

With Izzy Iriekpen and, more occasionally, Alan Tate, Jackett had the defensive options which would provide the foundation for a promotion push.

"We did really well at the back last season," reckons Monk.

"We all played for each other and when one was having a bad time, the others pulled together and lifted him up again."

For long periods, Jackett's back line was the meanest in the division, though Scunthorpe pipped them to that honour at the last. "That was a shame," Monk says ruefully.

"When we went up we should have been celebrating, but as a back four we were all disappointed that we didn't get the best defence in the league tag.

"As a defender you have to be consistent. We felt we achieved that so it was a blow to lose out to Scunthorpe by one goal."

Much better to be promoted without the record than the other way round, though.

Now Monk and Co have the chance to prove themselves at the next level, where he was operating two seasons ago during his stint at Oakwell.

"The calibre of forwards we come up against will change in this league," he concedes.

"In the final third you'll see the difference in quality between League One and League Two.

"Competing-wise we won't have a problem.

"There are plenty of lads in our squad who are willing to run for each other and work hard for each other.

"But we'll have to deal with the extra quality.

"As individuals and as a defence we have to improve."

And, of course, make sure the red cards are kept to a minimum next season.

Alan Tate is ready to step back into Swansea City's first team after Kenny Jackett called off his search for a new defender. Tate, an unhappy bit-part player last season, believes his time should come in 2005-6.

With Andy Gurney on the transfer list, Jackett confirmed his intention to add a new man capable of playing at right-back or in central defence ahead of Swansea's assault on League One.

But according to one of those already on the club's books, that plan has been scrapped.

"The manager has told me he's not going to be bringing anybody in," Tate says.

"Sometimes what people say and what they do are different things and we'll have to see what happens, but I feel I can do the job the manager wants."

Schooled at Manchester United, Tate has become well known for his confident, straight-talking approach since arriving in Swansea three winters ago.

Here is a 22-year-old who says what he thinks.

"It was nice to be back in the first team for the game against Fulham last weekend," he adds.

"Whether I stay there or not is not up to me, of course, but I don't see why I shouldn't.

"I've played well in the last three games I've had going back to the FAW Premier Cup final at the end of last season.

"I got the man-of-the-match award against Fulham, so common sense would say that I will stay in the team."

Tate expects, then - but he did that last season.

A regular under the man who brought him to Wales, Brian Flynn, he was one of those who suffered following the change in the manager's office.

He started only 17 games last term and was regularly switched from defence to midfield.

"Last year did my head in a bit," Tate concedes.

"I felt I was playing well and then getting dropped.

"In my opinion, if you're playing well you don't deserve to be dropped whether you are a player the manager has brought in or not.

"I believe that if you're playing well you should keep the shirt. Hopefully that will happen for me this season."

A central defender throughout his years at Old Trafford, Tate's preference would be to play at the heart of Swansea's back four.

But he insists he will be happy to slot in on the right flank of Jackett's rearguard if that is what is required.

"I don't mind it. I'm comfortable with the ball going forward and maybe you get a bit more opportunity to do that as a full-back," he adds.

"Maybe the position suits me a little better.

"I've got a few crosses in and set up a couple of goals during pre-season and there's no reason why I can't keep doing that in the division we're going in to.

"The manager hasn't said much to me, but he has indicated that right-back will be my regular position this year.

"Andy Gurney plays there and Sam Ricketts can, too, although I think he wants to play on the left because he feels that's his best position. We'll just have to see what happens."

While much of the talk this summer has been of a second successive promotion bid, Tate is adopting the wait-and-see approach to the team's prospects as well as his own.

"It's a new division with new players and new teams, so let's just what we can do first of all," he says sensibly.

"I think we'll be able to say a bit more after the first 10 games."

Ten games he hopes to have played a part in, not just watched.

It Is time for the shouting to stop and time to put your money where your mouth is. Come 3pm next Saturday, the curtain will be raised on yet another new season. Swansea City face one of the Coca-Cola League One favourites, Tranmere Rovers, at The New Stadium Swansea.

While there is an air of optimism surrounding the new 20,500 all-seater stadium at Morfa, the Merseyside outfit have plenty of expectation on their shoulders for this campaign.

The Prenton Park side, managed by former Leicester City and Aston Villa chief Brian Little, suffered in the play-off lottery last season with a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Hartlepool at the semi-final stage.

How much Little has been able to wipe that demoralising loss on The Wirral back in May away from his side's memory should be obvious when they run out on to the new Swansea pitch.

Not only will Little be wanting a victory from his side next weekend, he will want a comfortable one to send out a message to the rest of the league that they can go better this year.

However, Tranmere have lost defender Ryan Jones to Premiership new boys Wigan Athletic in a deal that could be worth £1.2million, while Jamaican midfielder Paul Hall has joined League One rivals Chesterfield.

Little has made some surprise recruits, none more so than left winger Sam Aiston, who is moved to the North West after he was released by League Two strugglers Shrewsbury Town.

Their big summer acquisition is Chris Greenacre, the one-time free-scoring Mansfield striker released by Stoke City in May.

Rovers already boasted former Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer in their squad and his experience in the top flight will be invaluable to their challenge this year.

"We've lost a massive part of last season's team with Ryan Taylor and Paul Hall leaving," said Rovers boss Little.

"Paul Linwood has come in and shown that he has different strengths, each game that goes by he is saying to me don't leave me out.

"Sam Aiston has come in too and he is also different. He's strong and good defensively which makes us more solid."

The Swans will be without their Tranmere connection, Andy Robinson, as he serves the third match of a seven-game ban following his dismissal at Bristol Rovers last season.

The fiery Birkenhead product was handed a four-match spell on the sidelines for violent conduct for his second red card last season, but the Football Association of Wales hit him with a further three-game ban for failing to leave the field promptly.

Kenny Jackett will be hoping that new recruit Adebayo Akinfenwa will have recovered from the hamstring strain which has forced him to miss the Swans' last two pre-season friendlies in time for The New Stadium's first ever league fixture.

Jackett could hand fellow new boy Marc Goodfellow his first start since he made the permanent move from Bristol City in the summer following a highly successful loan spell in Wales last term.