Swansea boss John Hollins is hopeful that two long-term absentees will be fit to return for the game against Bournemouth at the Vetch Field.

Kristian O'Leary, who has played just one game since February 11 because of a calf injury and a dead leg, played in a reserve game in midweek and looks set to return.

Ritchie Appleby, who has missed most of the last 18 months with a heel injury, also played in midweek and he could also make his comeback.

A club spokesman said: "Roger Freestone is back after concussion but Jason Smith and Steve Jones are long-term injury victims.

"But we are hoping Giovanni Savarese comes back from international duty with no problems."

Club record

Bournemouth boss Sean O'Driscoll is hoping to name an unchanged squad for the trip to relegation-threatened Swansea.

The fixture will see the Cherries aiming to continue a club record by scoring in their 23rd successive league match.

Bournemouth have already matched last season's total of 59 league goals.

Former Brighton trainee James Hayter, 21, has played a key role from both midfield and attack - scoring 10 times in only 22 starts this season.

  Second Division rivals Swansea City and Wrexham have avoided each other in the FAW Premier Cup semi-finals.

In yesterday's draw the Swans were paired with Merthyr Tydfil while Wrexham will meet the winners of the Barry Town v TNS quarter-final.

The hard-up Dr Martens League Premier Division side, whose players recently agreed to a 25 per cent pay cut, gained a shock 1-0 victory over Cardiff City on Monday night to earn a much needed £20,000 cash prize.

Barry Town's reward for beating Total Network Solutions is a re-match with Premier Cup holders Wrexham, who they beat in the final at the Racecourse two seasons ago.                                                                                                       

AT the beginning of the season Lee Jenkins said he wanted to play more regularly for Swansea City's first team and consolidate his position in the Welsh under-21 side.

That is exactly what the 21-year-old midfielder has done.

And yet the Pontypool-product Jenkins is still not happy.

"I have been in and out of the first team and still haven't cemented my place," said Jenkins.

"And I haven't been playing in my favourite position — in the middle — so there's loads to do.

"I am happy to play anywhere though and I think I've done all right."

The real problem for Jenkins this season has not been where or how often he has played, it's been results.

Swansea, of course, are struggling near the foot of Division Two having won just six league games, while all five Wales under-21 games have ended in defeat.

"Nobody wants to be playing in a losing side every week," said Jenkins.

"Things haven't been going our way with Wales and going to places like Armenia is tough.

"With Swansea I think it has been difficult stepping up a level with virtually the same squad, but it's hard to put your finger on exactly what has gone wrong.

"Mid-table would have been the objective and we are learning all the time but that's not good enough."

But Jenkins, like everyone else at Vetch Field, has not given up hope of surviving just yet.

"Of course we're positive. We are desperate to stay up and every game is massive now," he said.

"Then we must think about getting promoted to the First Division.

"That's the whole point of being here."

Jenkins, who has been at Swansea since the age of 14, is at the same time modest and ambitious.

"I know I'm not the best player in the world," he said.

"But I hope first of all to help keep Swansea up, then progress to the highest level I can play — hopefully right here. I love this place. It's my home."

Jenkins is in his final year with the under-21s, so the next international hurdle is graduating to the senior Wales squad.

"I'd love to be on there playing with the other young players like Matthew Jones and Simon Davies, they did really well against Ukraine," he said.If Jenkins stays injury free and continues to improve as he has this season, Mark Hughes might just come calling.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth manager Sean O'Driscoll has this week dismissed speculation that midfielder Richard Hughes is a target for Italian giants Juventus.

And although the highly-rated Scottish under-21 international admitted that rum-ours of Juve's interest were a little wide of the mark, he did admit that a move back to Italy would be of interest to him if the chance ever arose.

"Nobody in their right mind would turn down the chance to go to Serie A and play for Juventus if a serious offer was on the table," he said.

"The Italian game is something I am familiar with and going back there to play doesn't frighten me."

O'Driscoll stepped in to straighten out the matter.

"He has an Italian background and he played there for a while," he said.

"Juventus have not been in touch with us though, and as far as I'm concerned there's nothing in it. People just put two-and-two together and come up with five."

Tomorrow, Hughes will have to make do with Vetch Field, rather than than the Stadio Del Alpi.

SWANSEA City must forget pretty football and put everything into taking maximum points in their bid to avoid relegation to Division Three, according to Alan Curtis.

And the assistant manager admitted the visit of Bournemouth to Vetch Field tomorrow is a must-win game for Swansea. (3pm)

"Looking at the table we have a mountain to climb. We have to get a victory," said Curtis.

"And the performances from now on don't matter, it's just the results that count."

Looking at Swansea's remaining 11 fixtures, Curtis insisted that an escape route was still available.

"We have seven home games left, so I believe survival is entirely up to us. We will be really up for Bournemouth. We were on a good run before our fortnight off so it's bit of a shame we could not keep on playing.

"But having said that, it has given everybody the chance to get back to fitness."

During Swansea's two-week break, their relegation rivals have picked up crucial points, meaning John Hollins's side are now 15 away from safety.

But Hollins can welcome back Kristian O'Leary after a thigh problem, while Jonathan Coates is also fully fit.

Roger Freestone has recovered from the concussion he suffered at Swindon and Giovanni Savarese should be available after he was left on the bench in Venezuela's 5-0 defeat in Argentina.

Senior defenders Jason Smith and Steve Jones are not due back for another couple of weeks.

Bournemouth boss Sean O'Driscoll includes goal machine Jermain Defoe and captain and striking partner Steve Fletcher who had been doubtful in his squad.

SWEATY Welsh crooner Tom Jones could be set to come to the aid of struggling Swansea City. The pop giant is reported to be tabling a bid, believed to be around £7m, to take control of the cash-strapped club.

Ninth Floor, the holding company for the club, were tight-lipped regarding the situation, but refused to deny the speculation surrounding Jones' alleged bid. A spokesman for Ninth Floor said: "We can neither confirm nor deny any deal at present. An announcement will be made when a deal is completed."

The Vetch Field outfit, who are currently languishing second from bottom in Division Two, would welcome an injection of funds as they bid to stave off relegation. Multi-millionaire media tycoon Chris Evans was reported to have expressed an interest in buying the club last month, but the bid proved to be a hoax.

Should Jones take control his money would help clear the club's debts and provide some money in the transfer market for boss John Hollins.

Jones, currently on a world tour, was unavailable for comment.

SWANSEA City avoided Nationwide League opposition in the draw for semi-finals of the FAW Premier Cup. The Swans will face Cardiff City's conquerors Merthyr, while Wrexham will play Barry Town or Total Network Solutions.

It is not yet known whether the ties will be played over one or two legs or when they will be played.

The suggestions are that it will be a two-leg affair, with Merthyr home first. A decision will be made after consultation between the clubs and tournament sponsors the BBC.

Long-term injury victim, Richie Appleby, has said that it was a mistake to use painkilling injections to allow him to play with a foot problem.

He said: "Basically, I've suffered a torn ligament under the arch of the foot for around two years on and off, and I think one of my mistakes has been trying to play on and get through it by using injections to ease the pain."

He recalled how the problem ruled him out for around six months of last season, though he was able to make some substitute appearances late on as The Swans went on to clinch the Division Three title.

He continued: "It was great to be involved then, and though I was still having some problems, I was hoping the summer would see that cleared up."

That did not prove to be the case though, as it flared up again in pre-season training. "The specialist advised me to rest for a couple of weeks, but it then turned out I'd snapped a muscle in the same place because of the strain - I ended up in plaster instead of playing," he added.

Things took a slight turn for the better with some sub appearances in November, but yet another flare-up sent the winger back into plaster. "I've been working really hard to get my fitness back, and I'm out of the treatment room. There's a lot of hard work ahead, but if and when I do come back, it's got to be when I'm 100 per cent right this time.

"I may make it this season, but certainly next - I've got a lot of making up to do," he concluded.

It's been revealed that former Swans boss Jan Molby turned down an approach from Tranmere Rovers to replace John Aldridge as their manager.

Molby is now boss at Third Division Kidderminster Harriers, and Harriers' chairman, Welsh-born Lionel Newtown said: "Jan had an approach from Tranmere and discussed it with me.

"I've always said I wouldn't stand in his way at any time, and I told him although we haven't had the best of seasons, I'll be in charge here for at least another campaign, and I'll always back him."

Tranmere had also wanted Molby's Aggborough assistant Gary Barnett, but he's also staying put, and Newton added: "As chairman here, I was delighted with that."

Swans announce Easter courses

The Swans' Football in the Community Department have announced a programme of half-term courses at three venues across South and East Wales.

They'll be held at Olchfa School in Swansea, Newcastle Emlyn Leisure Centre and at Porthcawl Football Club at Locks Lane, Porthcawl.

The four-day courses are for boys and girls aged 6-13 of all abilities, and cost £25 for the four days with a £2 discount given for Cygnets members. Each course member will receive a complimentary ticket for a home league game, and further details can be obtained by calling 01792 633424.

The Swans' flying winger Stuart Roberts has been told he ought to be playing in a higher division by his Wales Under-21 boss.

Roberts has been starring for the Wales Under-21 squad in their European Championship qualifiers against Armenia and the Ukraine, and his national youth boss Jimmy Shoulder made the recommendation.

He said: "Stuart is a marvellous prospect and could well make it to the full squad one day - he hasn't yet got maximum power and strength, though he does have the footballing skills.

"However, in my opinion our young players need to be playing at the highest level possible if they're to make the most of their talent, and Stuart's no exception to that."

Roberts himself is out of contract at The Vetch at the end of the season, and with a possible relegation back into the Third Division imminent for The Swans, he said: "I am still in discussions with The Swans about my future - they have offered me a new deal but I'm not sure what to do.

I expect to talk more with them soon."

Stuart Roberts has spoken about his disappointment at Wales Under-21s 1-0 defeat by Armenia yesterday. Roberts and team-mate Lee Jenkins played the full 90 minutes in the defeat.

He said: "We were disappointed not to get something out of the game - we were the better side and created quite a few chances, but couldn't put them away.

"They scored from the only chance they had.
"Coach Jimmy Shoulder and national boss Mark Hughes said they were pleased with the way we played - they said we could even have won it."

Roberts said the location 3,000 feet above sea level made breathing difficult during the game and that the squad were now even more determined to get something from Tuesday's match with the Ukraine.

Thomas sad to be leaving

Swans midfielder Martin Thomas has said that he is sorry to leave after agreeing a loan with Third Division Brighton until the end of the season.

Thomas was out of contract at the end of the season and on the transfer list at the Vetch, but said: "I'm sorry to be going, but the gaffer made it clear I'm not in his plans and I need to be playing – it's a new challenge for me.

I did hear a few weeks ago Brighton were interested, but it was only confirmed on the Thursday itself."

Brighton boss Mickey Adams was previously Thomas' manager at Fulham and the player continued: "I enjoyed my time under him there, and I'll look forward to teaming up with him again in what seems like a very good Brighton side."

Thomas said he had happy memories of his two-and-a-half years at the Vetch, including scoring that goal that knocked West Ham out of the FA Cup and last season's Division Three championship winning campaign.

But he also said that it had been important for him to get himself sorted out prior to the rush of players coming onto the market in the summer.

He also said that he hoped the Swans could get out of their relegation difficulties and that he could then meet them as a Brighton player in Division Two next season.