Swansea City

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Alan Sheehan says Swansea City will consider sending Bobby Wales out on loan in January if the striker remains outside the first-team picture at the Championship club.

Wales has played only 27 minutes of first-team football since joining Swansea from Kilmarnock in the summer.

He scored on his debut after coming off the bench in the Carabao Cup tie against Crawley, then appeared briefly in Swansea's Championship win over Sheffield United, but has not featured since August.

Sheehan says the 20-year-old's lack of opportunities is down to competition for places in Swansea's attack.

"He has Vipi (Zan Vipotnik) in serious form and Adam [Idah] there. It's been difficult to get him involved," the Swansea head coach said.

"But that's not down to anything he's done. His attitude has been exceptional.

"He is our player. Sometimes you are closer than you think you are [to playing games]. If the opportunity comes where he needs to get regular football, we need to have a conversation and see how he feels."

Sheehan added that 19-year-old academy product Sam Parker, who has made two Carabao Cup appearances so far this season, is another who may also be a candidate for a loan spell come the January transfer window.

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Alan Sheehan will do battle with a man who has had a big influence on his career when Swansea City go to Charlton Athletic on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Swansea head coach Sheehan will go up against Nathan Jones having spent many years on the same side as the Welshman.

Former left-back Sheehan was enduring a difficult spell at Bradford City when he joined Jones' Luton Town on loan in January 2016.

Sheehan ended up as club captain at Luton, where he helped Jones' team win promotion from League Two in 2018 and then from League One 12 months later.

The Irishman left Kenilworth Road in 2020 to continue his playing career, but then returned to join Jones' Luton coaching staff in 2022 before following him to Southampton later that year.

After being dismissed by Saints in February 2023, Jones and Sheehan went their separate ways, with the latter joining Swansea's staff that summer.

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But it is safe to assume there will be plenty of respect on the touchline at the Valley this weekend as Sheehan faces his former boss.

"It will be the first time that we come up against each other as managers," Sheehan said. "And I think it will be a very difficult game."

Jones is something of a controversial figure in the eyes of Swansea's fans, thanks chiefly to the fact that he supports their south Wales rivals Cardiff City.

But after his previous successes at Luton, the 52-year-old is once again thriving at Charlton, with his team sixth in the Championship table having won promotion from League One last season.

"It's a team that's built up a lot of momentum in the last year or so and a very difficult team to play against from what I have seen," Sheehan added.

"They beat Ipswich 3-0 away the other day and they are in the play-off places at the moment, so we understand it's going to be a very difficult game."

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Former Wales striker Iwan Roberts believes Cardiff City's Rubin Colwill is a better number 10 option for Craig Bellamy than Swansea City's Liam Cullen.

Colwill is enjoying a fine run of form at Cardiff, where he has scored four goals in 17 appearances so far this season.

But the 23-year-old, who was a late call-up to the national squad in this month's international window, is still to convince Wales boss Bellamy that he should be part of his team.

Swansea's Cullen, who has spent most of his career as a striker, has been used in a deeper role by Bellamy.

Roberts argues Colwill is better suited to that position than his Swansea counterpart, and that he should be utilised more by Wales.

"If you are going to go with two numbers 10s against maybe the smaller nations, when the onus is on us to go and attack, I think he is a better player in that position than Liam Cullen," Roberts told this week's Feast of Football podcast.

"I think Liam Cullen is a more of a centre-forward. I don't think he has got the technical ability Rubin has got.

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"I think he's got better ability, he's better on the ball. He can pick a pass, he can open a defence. I think Liam Cullen ideally, if I look at the way Swansea play, I think he'd be better close to Zan Viptonik as a second centre-forward."

Roberts says Colwill is performing "on a weekly basis" at Cardiff because Bluebirds boss Brian Barry-Murphy has focused on the academy product's strengths rather than his weaknesses.

Cullen, meanwhile, has faced a battle for game-time at Swansea thanks to the fine form of Slovenia forward Vipotnik and the £6m signing of Adam Idah.

However, another ex-Wales international, Sam Vokes, says Cullen is worthy of his place.

"I think that's one of our strongest positions," Vokes said on Feast of Football.

"I like Liam Cullen. He had a much stronger season last season in terms of numbers and output wise. I like him in that position.

"Right now I don't think he (Colwill) breaks into our starting line-up, but he can be used as a good back-up or someone to bring in if we are struggling to unlock a side."

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Pep Guardiola said he did not expect anything other than a fierce challenge at Swansea City after Manchester City had to come from behind to knock the Championship club out of the Carabao Cup.

Manchester City will host Brentford in the quarter-finals having come through what threatened to be a difficult night at Swansea on Wednesday.

Alan Sheehan's Swansea side were excellent in the opening half-hour, playing with energy and intensity and going in front thanks to a sparkling Goncalo Franco goal.

But Jeremy Doku's deflected shot brought Manchester City level before the break and the Premier League heavyweights controlled the second period, with late goals from Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki sending them into the last eight.

Guardiola acknowledged that Swansea had made life hard for his team, saying: "It could not be otherwise.

"This competition, away against Swansea, a team historically who always played really, really good. They started fantastic and they got the goal.

"But after that, 20-25 minutes, we got the game and the second half was brilliant to attack in most spaces. We didn't go to transition and everywhere the commitment [was there]."

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Former Wales striker Iwan Roberts says the pressure is off Swansea City in tonight's Carabao Cup last-16 tie as they host Premier League powers Manchester City.

"It is. I think they've lost their last seven against Manchester City. I think in their last 13, they've lost 12, just one draw in the Premier League to show for, but I think it's a night for them to enjoy," Roberts told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

Pep Guardiola's side have won the EFL Cup in six of past 12 seasons, with Swansea famously claiming the trophy in 2013 when they upset Bradford City.

Man City are expected to field a much-changed side from the one that lost in the Premier League to Aston Villa last weekend.

Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference that: "The Carabao Cup has always been like that in the first stages. We have less injured [players this season] and we have players who need minutes, so the Carabao Cup is perfect for that."

He also hinted that goal machine Erling Haaland - who already has 11 in just nine league games this season - could be rested as they "don't need to risk him", with the Norwegian striker getting "a knock" at Villa Park.

While even a second-string Man City team will start as overwhelming favourites against their Championship hosts, Roberts says Swansea go into the game with their own centre forward in fine form

Zan Vipotnik scored a spectacular brace as the Swans beat Norwich City 2-1 on Saturday, taking the Slovenia striker's tally for the season to nine goals for club and country.

"You know, they've [Swansea] got a centre forward that's bang in form in Zan Vipotnik, two fantastic goals he scored against Norwich at the weekend," Roberts added.

"It's a tall order, but I'm sure it's a night that Swansea fans will really enjoy."

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Swansea City may not have to deal with Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland when they host Manchester City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

The Norwegian striker was limping heavily during Sunday's league defeat at Aston Villa after colliding with a post when he had a goal disallowed for offside.

His absence would be a big boost for Alan Sheehan's men as the 25-year-old has been in blistering form this season, scoring 15 goals in 12 appearances for club and country.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola said the trip to Swansea is an opportunity to rest the Norway striker, with Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki in contention to start.

He said: "I haven't seen Erling today but it was a knock, and day by day it is better. We train this afternoon [Tuesday], we will find out how he feels and decide if he can play."

Midfielder Rodri is training and is "getting better" after sustaining a hamstring injury before the international break, but remains out.

Zan Vipotnik scored a spectacular brace as Swansea City beat Norwich City 2-1 on Saturday.

After scoring seven goals in 44 games for the Swans last season, he already has eight in 14 in this campaign with Alan Sheehan describing him as a "livewire."

We asked supporters if Vipotnik was Swansea's new talisman?

Here's a selection of your responses.

James: I think he has to start every game. Idah seems way too lazy and has not proven himself yet. I also think Cullen would work well behind Vipotnik in the number 10 role. He had a great start to the season and arguably scraped us out of some tough games.

Ian: Much fitter and therefore showing his potential, deadly if he can turn towards goal anywhere near the box. Confidence is high and he has the opportunity to become a legend!

Malcolm: Thank goodness for VIP - we'd be languishing at the bottom of the league without him. Just think how many goals he could score if he had decent service all the time. Other members of the team have to step up and contribute goals too.

Richard: I don't think that you can rely on one striker, as he will go through a baron spell. When the Swans got promoted to the Premier League their midfielders and wingers were scoring their fair share of goals.

Leon: Yes, he has got to be playing week in week out, unless he gets injured he is going to be our top goalscorer this season!

Joel: It depends on if the players around him have the same ambition. I think they have the quality, but are just too reserved. A good partnership needs to be built with whoever the attacking midfielder is, as both goals in the Norwich game came from the centre. Is Melker Widell the man to fill that gap?

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Swansea City bounced back after defeat in midweek with a 3-2 victory over Norwich City - their first win at home in five Championship games.

Zan Vipotnik scored two spectacular goals and his performance pleased Swansea head coach Alan Sheehan, who believes he is improving with each outing.

With eight goals so far, is Vipotnik the man to fire Swansea up the table?

Have your say here

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Zan Vipotnik caught the eye with two spectacular goals as Swansea City saw off visitors Norwich City on Saturday.

The Slovenia target man scored either side of Jovo Makama's goal for the Canaries to secure a 2-1 win, and with it a welcome first victory at home in five league games to keep Swansea 13th in the Championship.

Vipotnik's performance particularly pleased Swansea head coach Alan Sheehan, who believes he is improving with each outing.

"I don't have a good-ometer, but they [the goals] were really, really good finishes, top class, excellent," Sheehan said.

"He was a livewire today, he led the line. At times, out of possession, there's things that we want more from him, to be relentless within that because he's the one who leads that first line of pressure.

"But in terms of scoring goals - and ultimately those were two moments of real quality - and that clinical edge that we have been missing in certain games.

"But he was exceptional, they're high-level goals, and you've seen a player that's really enjoying his football."

Swansea signed Vipotnik in August 2024 on a four-year contract following the mutual termination of his contract with Bordeaux.

The striker scored seven goals in 51 games last season in all competitions, but the brace against Norwich means the 23-year-old has already hit nine this campaign for club and country.

"When players come from different leagues, it takes different players different times for it to gel," Sheehan added.

"Like [Eom] Ji-Sung for example, like Zeidane [Inoussa], sometimes it will be hot and cold until it's permanently hot, and it's about integrating them into that.

"With VP (Vipotnik) he was up and down last year really, and then he came back fitter. He missed a pre-season with Bordeaux last year and he came in and probably we didn't see the best of him consistently, if you want to say.

"But then this year, he missed little bits of pre-season, but he was in a better place and he understood what he had to do, and he looks really well right now."

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After three years and 112 appearances for Swansea City, Harry Darling returns to Wales this weekend in Norwich City colours.

Had Alan Sheehan got his way, Darling would still be part of his Swansea squad.

As it is, Sheehan is trying to find a way to ensure Darling and his colleagues in the Norwich defence endure a difficult afternoon at the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday (15:00 BST).

After only one win in their past seven league games, Swansea could do with a positive result.

If they are to make it happen, they must find more attacking inspiration having struggled going forward against Queens Park Rangers in midweek and at Southampton last weekend.

In truth, Swansea's attacking prowess has been an issue for much of the season.

Only three Championship clubs have scored fewer league goals than Swansea in 2025-26, while Sheehan's men have the second lowest overall XG in the division.

"We want to get that formula, be more clinical, be more ruthless and have that freedom in the final third to express ourselves," Sheehan said.

"I think at times we get into these great areas and sometimes the quality lets us down.

"In terms of getting there, that's not really an issue. It is that last bit, sticking the ball in the net, crosses, landing on something."

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Darling has been a regular for Norwich since turning down the offer of a new contract at Swansea in the summer in favour of a three-year deal at Carrow Road.

But things have not gone according to plan so far this season, with the Canaries dropping into the bottom three after suffering a fourth successive defeat at Derby County in midweek.

Norwich's home form has been the biggest issue, with six defeats from six on their own patch in all competitions this season.

They have been better on the road, taking eight points from six away league games, though their most recent win was on 30 August.

While Sheehan's Swansea could do with a result, the need looks even greater for Norwich boss Liam Manning.

Norwich City will look to stop the rot when they visit Swansea City on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The Canaries have failed to win any of their past seven games, losing the last four in succession, to place themselves in the bottom three.

Though Swansea have not won in their past three and will also be keen to find that elusive victory.

• Swansea City have lost just one of their last five league games against Norwich City (W3 D1), though that sole defeat did come in their last such meeting, a 5-1 loss at Carrow Road in January this year.

• Norwich City have lost five of their last seven away league games against Swansea City (W2), failing to score in four of those defeats.

• Swansea are winless across their last five home league games (D3 L2); their longest run since December 2023 (6 games – D3 L3).

• Norwich have lost each of their last four league games in succession, last losing five in a row in the Championship in November 2016.

• Norwich have failed to score in three of their last four league games, and could fail to score in three successive matches for the first time since May 2022 (run of four).

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Swansea City host Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday (19:45 BST) with Alan Sheehan believing the Championship has not yet "settled down" this season.

Swansea will be close to a quarter of the way through the 2025-26 campaign after their meeting with Rangers.

But in a division which looks more open than has been the case in recent years, Sheehan believes the majority of clubs are still buoyed by early-season optimism.

"You go through the results most weeks in this league - it's not settled down," Swansea's head coach said.

"I think the floor of the league is slightly higher this year with the competition, while there's probably 15 teams within the league that think that if they make a push, they can be in a decent place.

"It's a really competitive league."

Swansea and are among the clubs hoping there are good times ahead having made solid starts to the season.

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Rangers began slowly, taking only one point from their first three games under new boss Julien Stephan (pictured above), but then embarked on a six-match unbeaten run which included four victories.

That rousing sequence came to a halt last weekend as they were beaten 2-1 at home by Millwall.

Swansea, meanwhile, have struggled for consistency, winning three, drawing four and losing three of their league matches this season.

"Every game that you go into right now, you're coming up against teams – both us and them - where they feel like if they get it right, they can win the game, so the competition is good," Sheehan added.

"QPR's games are very tight all the time. It's a difficult game, but one that obviously we want to be going in and getting points from."

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Manuel Benson is a doubt for Swansea City's Championship meeting with Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday (19:45 BST).

The on-loan Burnley winger was absent from last weekend's goalless draw at Southampton and could again miss out as Swansea return home to face QPR.

Sheehan has few other concerns, though Zeidane Inoussa is among a handful of players nursing knocks following the Saints draw.

"A few guys have niggles, obviously Manuel missed the game the other day with a tight hamstring and so we'll have to have a look at that," Swansea's head coach said.

"Zeidane and one or two more just picked up little bumps so we'll make a decision ahead of the game."

Sheehan is likely to consider making some changes to freshen his team up, who will be in action at home when Norwich City visit this Saturday.

They also host Manchester City in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, 29 November as part of a run of seven games in 21 days.