Swansea City

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A new initiative highlighting the work of football club charities has been launched by the English Football League (EFL).

'Scan to Smile' will be rolled out in stadiums across the EFL from Friday until the end of January, with supporters invited to scan QR codes on posters displayed around grounds.

Each scan will unlock a short, uplifting story from a person whose life has been positively impacted by the support of their local club charity.

The subjects tackled include mental health support, combating loneliness, improving physical wellbeing, employability and confidence.

The EFL said it hoped the initiative would use "the reach and influence of football to offer fans a moment of positivity on matchday".

Trevor Birch, chief executive at the EFL, said: "Behind every club are people whose lives have been positively changed through the work and dedication of their local EFL club charity.

"This initiative gives supporters the chance to see that impact first-hand and reminds us that football truly is a force for good."

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Vitor Matos says Swansea City could do more business during the mid-season transfer window following the signing of winger Gustavo Nunes.

Brazilian Nunes, 20, is in contention to make his debut at Hull City on Saturday (15:00 GMT) having joined on loan from Brentford for the remainder of the season.

He is Swansea's second January addition after Joel Ward but, with further exits also a possibility, Matos says there "could be" more incomings before the window closes on Monday, 2 February.

Swansea are keen to cut short Manuel Benson's season-long loan from Burnley, while central defender Ricardo Santos is being tipped to leave this month.

Swansea have already lost Kaelan Casey after he was recalled by West Ham, meaning they are short on centre-back options.

"It is just one month of a window, everything happens too fast, everything can change in one moment," said Swansea head coach Matos.

"What we try as a club is to find the really good deals, the best ones we can have with the conditions that we have.

"The most important thing is that we set up already the profile and what we really need. If that then becomes an opportunity on the market, we will go for that. And if not, we are fine because I'm really happy with the squad."

Swansea have confirmed the departures of two youngsters, with goalkeeper Evan Watts and defender Arthur Parker joining League of Ireland side Galway United on loan until the end of June.

They follow in the footsteps of Josh Thomas, who agreed a six-month loan at Derry City earlier this week.

Hull City will seek a third successive league win when they welcome Swansea City to the MKM Stadium on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Victories over Southampton and fellow top six side Preston North End have left the Tigers safely within the play-off places, five points above seventh placed Watford but trailing second placed Middlesbrough by the same figure.

The Swans are also undefeated across their past two (W1 D1) and held their hosts to a 2-2 draw when the two sides met on the Welsh side of the border back in September.

• Hull City have won just one of their last seven league games against Swansea City (D3 L3), triumphing 2-1 in December 2024.

• Swansea City have lost nine of their last 14 away league games against Hull City (W2 D3), a run which has seen the Swans net multiple goals in just two of those matches.

• Hull City have won six of their last eight league games (D1 L1). Indeed, no Championship side has won more points than the Tigers since the start of this run in December (19).

• Swansea have lost six of their last seven away league games (W1). Since November 5th, no side has lost more Championship matches on the road than the Swans.

• Hull's Oliver McBurnie – who has scored in his last two league games against Swansea – has scored 10 goals in an English league season for the third time in his career, after 2018-19 (22) and 2022-23 (13).

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Swansea City's Josh Tymon has won December's Championship goal of the month award for his stunning volley in the win over Oxford United.

The left-back beat off competition from Leicester City's Abdul Fatawu, Stoke City's Ben Pearson and Sheffield United's Patrick Bamford to win the prize thanks to his spectacular 20-yard strike, which helped Swansea secure the first win of Vitor Matos' reign.

"It's a once in a career strike - if he tried it 1,000 times that might be the only one that finds the net in that way," said lead goal of the month judge and pundit Don Goodman.

"Great adjustment of the body as the ball drops, amazing technique as he strikes it by cutting across the ball with his volley guiding it like an arrow into the top corner."

Former Stoke player Tymon described the goal as the "best I've scored in my career".

"I'm enjoying my football, the way we play under the gaffer means I am getting into those sorts of positions a bit more often and it was great to contribute a goal in an important win," he added.

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Swansea City head coach Vitor Matos says he had a "really cordial" chat with predecessor Alan Sheehan – after they met on their street.

Matos took charge at Swansea in late November after Sheehan was sacked earlier in the month.

Sheehan, who is still living in the Welsh city with his family, revealed while working as a TV pundit on Swansea's draw with Birmingham City last weekend that Matos has moved into his street.

Matos says the duo have since bumped into each other once and are "good neighbours".

"We speak as normal neighbours speak and not about football really," the Portuguese added.

"Let's say football is one important thing in our lives, in your lives as well, my life as well, his life as well, but it's not the major important thing.

"I think when human beings can speak as normal, that's the most important thing. Everything is fine - no big problems between neighbours!

"I wish him all the best and he knows that as well."

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Zeidane Inoussa is facing a spell on the sidelines due to a back injury while Ethan Galbraith is also a doubt for Saturday's trip to Hull City (15:00 GMT).

Winger Inoussa missed Swansea's midweek win over Blackburn Rovers because of a stress fracture in his back and will see a specialist for further assessment of the problem.

The news is better for Galbraith, who came off during the Blackburn game with a knee issue which Vitor Matos says is "nothing serious."

However, Swansea may have to do without the influential Northern Ireland international on Humberside this weekend.

"Ethan got a knock in the Birmingham game and a knock on the same place in the last game," said Swansea boss Matos.

"He is still being assessed with the medical team. We have one more day to see how it develops [before Hull]. We need to wait for that day."

Matos says Swansea are waiting for "a more clear answer" on how long Swedish winger Inoussa faces on the sidelines.

"He's consulting a specialist," he added.

"It sounds like he will be not available for the next game and not for other games as well. We need to have a more clear view regarding what's the future for him."

Swansea striker Adam Idah is out until March with a hamstring problem but defender Ishe Samuels-Smith could return next week after a groin injury.

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

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Swansea boss Vitor Matos believes the "mentality" of his side was the most promising aspect of their 3-1 win over struggling Blackburn Rovers in what he described as a "tricky" encounter at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Having played just two days earlier, Matos felt the challenge posed by Blackburn on Tuesday would "never [be] easy", particularly given Valerien Ismael's tactical approach.

"Playing against a team that is a different structure, a back five and man marking means a lot of things that can be tricky, but we found a way and I think that's important for creating the mentality we want," he said.

Swansea went in level at half-time, but Matos was encouraged by his side's response believing their second-half display showed a "team that wants to be dominant" and "not easy to play against".

"We want that aggressiveness," he said.

"It was not the prettiest one to watch, but it was important in terms of togetherness and mindset. It's important when you are not on your best day that you find a way still to compete. And that's what we saw."

Vipotnik continued his good run of scoring by notching two goals either side of half-time to become the second tier's leading goal-scorer.

Even so Swansea managed only four shots on target from 14 attempts and registering an xG of just 1.4 according to Opta, Matos felt the collective element of the performance was key.

However, Matos also insists "there is still a lot to come" both from Vipotnik and from his team overall.

"The team is feeding him," said Matos. "That collective part is very important for every striker."

The victory moved Swansea eight points clear of the relegation zone and to within seven points of the play-off places, while also extending their strong home form to four wins in their last five matches at the Swansea.com Stadium.

It is an achievement Matos says is vital in rebuilding connections between supporters and players.

"It's important that you build a connection with the fans. Seeing everyone enjoying the game and finding a way to support the team is beautiful to see," Matos said.

Swansea, who have only tasted defeat once in the league in 2026, travel to Hull City on Saturday 24 January, who themselves will be looking for their third consecutive win.

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All English Football League games across a four-day period in February will begin one minute late to raise awareness for the Every Minute Matters campaign.

The initiative will be in place for 36 matches across the Championship, League One and League Two between 5 and 9 February.

EFL sponsor Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) have been working together since May 2024 to highlight the importance of speed when it comes to performing live-saving CPR.

Later kick-off times will serve as "a stark reminder that every minute matters", the EFL said.

Bristol Rovers defender Tom Lockyer collapsed while playing for Luton Town eight minutes into the Championship play-off final against Coventry in May 2023.

Lockyer then suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch seven months later during a Premier League game at Bournemouth.

"What happened to me can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time," said Lockyer, who is now a BHF ambassador.

"Every year, more than 40,000 people in the UK suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and most of them never make it home.

"I'm here today because of the transformative power of CPR as every minute matters when it comes to saving a life.

"This February, we want everyone to get behind this life-saving initiative, learn the skills and be ready to step in because your actions could give someone else the chance I was given."

Throughout February, the Every Minute Matters campaign will call on fans to learn CPR using the BHF's online RevivR, external tool.

"Each minute without CPR reduces a person's chance of survival, so we're urging fans to learn the skills now, before you ever need them," said Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the BHF.

EFL chief executive officer Trevor Birch added: "The one minute kick-off adjustment is a simple, powerful reminder that swift CPR can be the difference between life and death."

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Ethan Galbraith is to be "assessed" after being substituted in Swansea City's 3-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old left the field in the 66th minute after feeling "uncomfortable" but Swansea boss Vitor Matos said the substitution was just a "precaution".

"He had a knock against Birmingham and on the same spot he started to feel uncomfortable," Matos said.

"We didn't want to risk it, so that's what happened - just a precaution."

Galbraith has been an influential member of Matos' Swansea side and has appeared in every league game this season.

Matos has previously praised Galbraith's versatility having utilised him in both midfield and defence.

Swansea, who climbed to 15th in the Championship courtesy of the Blackburn win, are back in action at high-flying Hull City on Saturday.

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

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Swansea City host Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday (19:45 GMT) with Vitor Matos believing his side are becoming more "dangerous" in attack.

Swansea have scored 28 league goals this season - the sixth lowest tally in the Championship - while their xG is the second lowest in the division according to Opta., external

But the Swans have built momentum under Matos, and head into the Blackburn game having lost only once in five games in all competitions.

Last Saturday's performance in the 1-1 draw against Birmingham offered signs of progress, with Matos describing his team as "sharp" and "aggressive" after they created 19 chances and struck the woodwork three times.

"The most important thing is that we increase our possibilities and probabilities to score," the Swansea head coach said.

"That comes from high press, counter-press, being dominant with the ball, being close to the opposition goal and with balance. I think everyone is taking the right steps.

"We are becoming a dangerous team."

The Swans sit four places and five points above Rovers, who have not won a league match since 20 December and are the third lowest scorers in the second tier.

Swansea's recent record against Blackburn also makes for encouraging reading, with the Welsh side winning four of the past five meetings.

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Valerien Ismael's side arrive on the back of a 3-0 defeat at Ipswich, but Matos is refusing to read too much into form.

"This season every team can beat everyone," he said.

"All games are big. It's important everyone is focused, concentrated and with the right mentality and mindset so so we can keep improving."

Marko Stamenic could come into contention to start against Blackburn having been an unused substitute against Birmingham.

The New Zealand international was omitted having missed training last week through illness.

Leading scorer Zan Vipotnik is again likely to start in attack having netted for the 13th time this season against Birmingham.

"We are happy with Vipotnik and the performances he's putting in," Matos said.

"There's still a lot to come from him. The intensity is getting there, and we're happy we can help him develop."

Blackburn Rovers will look to get out of striking distance of the bottom three as they visit Swansea City on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).

Rovers have not won in five straight league games (D3 L2) to see themselves just one point above the relegation zone.

But Swansea are only six points clear and will want to increase that distance with a victory on home soil.

• This will be the 50th league meeting between Swansea and Blackburn Rovers, with the Swans looking to win three in a row against Rovers for the very first time.

• Blackburn have only won one of their last eight league visits to Swansea (D1 L6), losing their last two since a 3-0 win in August 2022.

• Swansea have won four of their last seven league games played on a Tuesday (D1 L2), as many as their previous 29 beforehand (W4 D10 L15).

• Blackburn have won four of their last seven midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) away league games (D1 L2), as many as their previous 27 beforehand (W4 D2 L21).

• Blackburn's Valerien Ismael has won just one of his six previous Championship meetings with Swansea City (D1 L4), a 1-0 away victory with Watford in October 2023.

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Chris Davies reckons Vitor Matos' Swansea City are playing with the style which has brought the club past successes.

Davies' Birmingham City side frustrated Swansea on Saturday as they fought back to claim a point in south Wales.

Davies was back on familiar territory having been part of Brendan Rodgers' staff when the Northern Irishman led Swansea to the Premier League in 2011.

The Blues boss, who came close to returning to Swansea as head coach in 2023, has praised his former club's approach in the wake of this weekend's 1-1 draw.

"You can see with Swansea, to me, they look like a Swansea team with the way they're playing," ex-Wales youth international Davies said.

"It's a club, one of the very few clubs, that can actually confidently say they have an identity that has stood the test of time.

"Swansea is one of the very few and you do see that with the way they're playing."

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Patrick Roberts' equaliser at the Swansea.com Stadium means Birmingham have taken four points from the Swans this season after their 1-0 home win in September.

Alan Sheehan was Swansea head coach at the time, with Davies suggesting the biggest difference since Matos' arrival is the Welsh side's pressing game.

"I actually thought Alan Sheehan was doing a good job," Davies added.

"I thought they were good against us [earlier in the season]. We narrowly won the match - obviously they had a couple of chances.

"So I thought there was a lot of the same stuff there. Obviously, you can see the press and the counter press has really picked up, that's probably one of the things I've noticed."

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Vitor Matos has spelled out his admiration for Goncalo Franco after the midfielder's stand-out performance in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Birmingham City.

Franco delivered one of his best displays this season on a day when Swansea City were left frustrated by the failure to take all three points.

The 25-year-old's classy intervention created a goal for Zan Vipotnik and he came close to netting himself when a sweet left-foot shot was turned on to the bar by Birmingham keeper James Beadle.

Franco was Swansea's player of the year in 2024-25, his first season with the Welsh club, but he has not performed with the same levels of consistency in his second Championship campaign.

When asked about Franco's overall contribution, Matos insisted he is a big fan of his fellow Portuguese.

"I can only speak about the time I arrived - I like him so much," said the Swansea head coach.

"I don't know how to say it properly, but he has energy on the pitch. He reflects that everywhere.

"He's improving as well. He's understanding the position that I want for him more. I think he's getting the right timings and he offers so much.

"I think the goal is a good example of what he can offer, so I'm really happy for him."

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Vipotnik's goal was his 13th of the season, with his tally of 11 league strikes making him the joint leading scorer in the Championship.

Matos said the Slovenia international should share the credit for his latest strike with Franco.

"It was a really good team effort, especially from Franco reacting, counter-pressing, winning that ball," he added.

"From there we used it to score. I'm really happy how the goal came out of that. I just said inside [the dressing room], I think Vipi (Vipotnik) can share the bonus with Franco for the goal."

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Vitor Matos reckons Swansea City gave further evidence that they are a team heading in the "right direction" despite being held to a draw by Birmingham City.

Swansea were left ruing the failure to register a fifth successive home league win as they hit the woodwork no fewer than three times against the Blues.

Matos' side went in front midway through the first half through Zan Vipotnik's 13th goal of the season and almost doubled their lead before the break when Goncalo Franco's shot was tipped on to the bar.

Ronald then struck the woodwork early in the second period before Patrick Roberts levelled for Birmingham, with Liam Cullen then heading against the bar as Swansea pushed for a winner.

Despite a feeling that his side had dropped two points, Matos insisted the Swans "are improving and doing the right steps".

"It's good to see that we are creating more chances and from the chances we are creating, we are becoming a dangerous team, an aggressive team," said the Swansea head coach.

"Then it's about efficiency - football is about that, of course.

"But at this moment, we got a point, we grab that point, we grab the performance and we move on. I think we are [going] in the right direction."

Swansea, who are without striker Adam Idah due to a long-term hamstring injury, are hoping to add to their forward options by signing a winger during the January transfer window.

But when asked whether there is a need for new recruits in attack, Matos said: "I'm really happy with the squad and with the boys we have.

"I think the character they are putting in, the tenacity, the resilience and the way they are buying into an idea together with the fans and with all the staff, I think that's something that leaves me really proud and that's what I need to focus on."

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Vitor Matos is preparing to face a "really well managed" Birmingham City side as he takes on a man who turned down a return to Swansea City in December 2023.

Chris Davies (pictured) will be on familiar territory when he leads Birmingham at the Swansea.com Stadium today (17:30 GMT).

Former Wales youth international Davies, whose father hails from Llanelli, was on Brendan Rodgers' staff when the Northern Irishman led Swansea to the Premier League 15 years ago.

But he rejected the chance to return to Swansea as manager after the departure of Michael Duff just over two years ago.

While the Swans eventually appointed Luke Williams, Davies opted to remain on the staff at Tottenham before taking over at Birmingham in 2024.

The Blues head to Swansea this weekend in upbeat mood after beating leaders Coventry City in their previous Championship game, though last season's League One champions have won only one away league match since August.

Despite Birmingham's struggles on the road, Matos says Swansea face a stern test as they chase a fifth straight home win.

"[Birmingham are] a very organised team, a really well managed team that has a clear identity," the Swansea head coach said.

"It's a team who likes to press, who likes to be dominant as well with the ball. It's clear how they build, it's clear they have a lot of options in terms of squad which gives them a lot of possibilities.

"So we really expect a good game, a game where we need to be on our toes to compete."

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West Ham United youngster Kaelan Casey has joined League One side Leyton Orient on loan just 24 hours after his spell at Swansea City was ended.

The Hammers cut short Casey's season-long stint in Wales because they wanted the 21-year-old centre-back to play more regular football.

Casey has now dropped from the Championship to the third tier in the hope that he will get more game-time at Orient.

The West Ham academy product made 13 appearances for Swansea, though only three of those were Championship starts.

"My time at Swansea City was a great learning experience but I want to play regular football," Casey told the Orient website.

"I believe that Orient is the best place for me to get that whilst also helping the club to move forwards.

"I spoke to [Swansea's former Orient players] Lawrence Vigouroux and Ethan Galbraith, and they both only had good things to say about the set-up, the staff and the fans. That's another reason I wanted to join and I can't wait to get going."