The Swans are being linked again with a possible summer swoop for Cardiff City midfielder Jason Fowler.

The rumours of a possible move for the 26-year-old from Ninian Park to The Vetch first appeared last year, but the speculation has now re-surfaced that the former Bristol City player could be heading for a move to The Swans shortly.

Cardiff are set to announce a clear-out of players next week, with Fowler expected to be one of those who are set to leave The Bluebirds after barely featuring for them last season as they swapped divisions with The Swans.

Trio on international duty

Swans' youngsters Jason Jones and Lee Devulgt plus veteran keeper Roger Freestone are all on international duty with Wales at the weekend.

The Welsh under-21 side meet Poland at Merthyr Tydfil's Pennydarren Park this evening, with keeper Jones set to be in the starting line-up. Defender Devulgt will be on the bench at best for this evening's clash with the Poles. The pair will then travel with the under-21 party for Tuesday evening's game in the Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Freestone is set to be on the subs bench for the Welsh senior side in their World Cup qualifier with Poland at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday afternoon before travelling to the Ukraine for Wednesday's game.

Earlier this week, Swans striker Walter Boyd was recalled to the Jamaican squad for the first time since November. The Reggae Boyz have a friendly against Cuba on June 10 followed by World Cup qualifiers against the USA, Costa Rica and Trinidad & Tobago all within the space of a fortnight.

Pre-season plans take shape

The club have begun to draw up some pre-season fixtures ahead of their return to life in Nationwide Division Three in August. There will be no tour this summer for The Swans to Ireland, as in recent seasons, but instead the games which have been arranged so far are all away from the Vetch Field.

On Saturday, July 7, The Swans travel to Barry Town for a behind closed doors friendly, followed by a game at Aberystwyth on Wednesday, July 18. Then come scheduled friendlies at Tiverton on Friday, July 27 and Pontypridd on Tuesday, August 7.

There will be more pre-season friendlies to follow, with the new Nationwide season starting on Saturday, August 11. The new league fixtures are scheduled for release on Thursday, June 21.

Former Swan to stay a Seagull ?

Former Swan Martin Thomas will have to wait until Micky Adams gets back from holiday before discovering whether he has a future at Brighton.

Thomas was signed on a short-term contract and has only played a handful of games as a substitute since making the move from Swansea on transfer deadline day.

He will be hopeful of staying with The Seagulls next season as Adams would surely have told the 27-year-old before leaving for his summer break if he was not a part of the club's plans for the 2001-02 season.

The apparent likelihood is that Thomas will be offered a one year deal to remain at The Withdean Stadium.

Hollins says winger can leave for nothing if club comes in

JOHN Hollins has told Richie Appleby he can leave Vetch Field on a free transfer.

The Swansea City manager is prepared to let the 25-year-old winger go if he can find himself a new club.

"Richie has been on the transfer list since last year but there has been no interest," explained Hollins.

"Having made only five substitute appearances last season, he has been given the opportunity to go on a free transfer.

"If he does not find a new club, Richie will remain with Swansea and continue as normal next season."

Appleby, who has one year left on his Vetch contract, is looking to move on following two miserable, injury-plagued seasons.

And the former Newcastle trainee's departure would suit Hollins as he continues his summer clearout.

Steve Jones, Jason Price, Lyndon Gregson, Carl Mounty and Kristian James have already left the club along with four trainees.

Ten out-of-contract players are yet to sign new deals and some of those are also likely to find new clubs this summer.

The exodus comes as Hollins looks to trim his squad for next season's Third Division challenge, as well as make way for a couple of new faces.

Fans would be disappointed to see the back of Appleby, a popular figure since Jan Molby signed him on a free from Ipswich in 1996.

He has made 128 appearances for the Swans, scoring 14 goals, but injuries meant he started none of last season's Second Division games and only 10 in the Third Division title-winning campaign.

Another Swan who missed much of last season because of injury, Walter Boyd, has had a surprise recall to the Jamaica squad for the friendly with Cuba on June 10 and the World Cup qualifier against America six days later.

The 29-year-old has not been involved with the Reggae Boyz since last November after scoring just three times for Swansea in the last campaign.

Boyd, out-of-contract at the Vetch, is expected to fly home at the weekend.

SPORTS mascots are as prone to injury as the stars on the pitch, researchers have found.

The main risk to professional mascots is from their heavy costumes, which can cause heatstroke and put strain on ankles and knees.

A survey of 48 mascots found that more than half had suffered from heat-related illness. Almost one in five had experienced knee problems and one in seven had injured a hand or wrist. Nearly half reported chronic lower back pain.

The findings, presented at the American College of Sports Medicine in Baltimore, were endorsed yesterday by one of Britain’s most famous football club mascots, Cyril the Swan of Swansea City. A spokesman for Cyril, twice voted mascot of the year by Match of the Day magazine, said that heat exhaustion was a major concern.

“Cyril likes to join in training with the players and is as fit as you can expect him to be but it can be hard work, especially as he is 9ft tall,” the spokesman said.

“The main problem is that he is very excitable and finds it hard to control himself. He gets very hot, especially in the summer months, being covered in all those feathers.”

The study of mascots from baseball, basketball and American football teams found that a quarter had become so dehydrated that they needed an intravenous drip. Edward McFarland, director of sports medicine at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and senior author of the study, said: “You cannot believe how many ways mascots get injured. They have been hit by golf carts, fallen on stairs and gotten in fights among other mishaps.

“The heat illness problem is serious. It could be reduced through better costume construction or rotating several people through the suit on a really hot day. Also, if the costumes allowed the mascots’ feet to be free they might have more control and reduce the incidence of falls.”

Injuries are the main threat for a mascot but Cyril’s worst enemy has been his exuberance. He has abseiled from floodlights and scuffled with other mascots, ripping the head off Zampa the Lion, Millwall’s mascot, and kicking it into the crowd. Swansea City were fined £1,000 after Cyril ran on to the pitch during a heated FA Cup tie two years ago and the club punished him with a two-match ban.

Former Swans defender Christian Edwards has a agreed a new three-year deal with First Division outfit Nottingham Forest.

Edwards, who played for Swansea in the 1997 Division Three play-off final against Northampton has had a dramatic change of fortune at the City Ground.

The season before last he did not play a single first team game, underwent five knee operations and was even linked with a return to the Vetch at one point.

But now he has recently been back in the Wales squad and played over 30 first team games for David Platt's outfit. "It's been an incredible 12 months for me," he said.

OUT-OF-CONTRACT striker Giovanni Savarese could be back to spearhead Swansea City's assault on the Third Division.

Mike Lewis, the club's managing director has indicated that talks with the Venezuelan star over a new Vetch Field deal have taken a positive step.

Savarese is on holiday in America, but the club are negotiating the future of the 29-year-old with agent Barry Mcintosh.

"We have held talks with Barry and although we are still some way from shaking hands on a deal, the situation looks a lot more positive than before," said Lewis. "I'm hopeful that Gio will be back at the club next season."

Retaining last season's top scorer would be a major boost for John Hollins as he looks to mastermind an immediate return to Division Two.

The Swansea boss could lose Walter Boyd and Matthias Verschave, leaving Steve Watkin as the only recognised forward in the squad should Savarese also leave.

The former San Jose Earthquakes star's international calibre has made him a firm favourite with Vetch supporters since he arrived on a free transfer last October.

He has scored 14 goals in his short time at the club and was easily Swansea's most dangerous forward last season. Savarese is expected to feature in his country's World Cup qualifiers next month and July's Copa America tournament.

Chairman Neil McClure has been playing down rumours of a possible bid by supporters to purchase The Swans.

He said no-one had spoken to him about it, adding: "We've always been ready to listen about fans purchasing shares, but there's certainly been no firm proposal that I know about."

Mumford keen to stay

Utility player Andrew Mumford has become the latest out-of-contract Swans player to say he wants to stay at the Vetch. Mumford said: "We're still in discussions, but I'd really like to stay at the club and that's what I want to happen."

Roberts junior's international call-up

Stuart Roberts 15-year-old brother Matthew has been picked for the Welsh under-15 side that will take on Ireland in a few weeks.

Roberts junior says he dreams of one day playing alongside his brother at Swansea. He said: "I've been supporting The Swans for a good few years and I've just signed a three year scholarship deal at The Vetch. Stuart got me into football and I'd love to play alongside him for the Swans one of these days."

Stuart and Matthew's uncle is former Swans defender Wyndham Evans who played for the club during the successful John Toshack era and both Stuart and Matthew say he's been a great encouragement to their progress.

THE latest young star to roll off the Swansea City production line has committed his immediate future to the club.

Fifteen-year-old Richard Duffy, who attends Pentrehafod Comprehensive School, has just signed a three-year scholarship with the Vetch Field club and director of youth development Paul Compton is delighted to have snapped up the young midfielder.

Duffy is highly talented and Compton said: "We are glad that we have been able to secure such a bright local prospect for the next three years.

"We have received criticism for missing the best local talent, but we have always said we will sign the best young players wherever they are from.

"But it does make it more satisfying when local boys commit themselves to their local club."

Supporters' Club coach

Swansea City Supporters' Club are organising a coach to Cardiff for next Saturday's World Cup qualifier between Wales and Poland.

It will leave Morriston at 10am and Swansea at 10.15am, with tickets priced just £5.

For more information or to book contact the club shop or Ugo Vallerio on 01792 413423.

Mark Hughes looks set to call Swans keeper Roger Freestone into his Wales squad for the forthcoming crucial World Cup qualifier with Poland.

Hughes believes that his side need to win their home clash with the Poles if they are to stand a chance of qualifying for the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea.

Hughes is hoping that the intimidating atmosphere of the Millennium Stadium will work in their favour. He said: "It's pretty obvious that the best chance of winning is at home in front of our own fans."

Hughes is calling on all football fans from South Wales to make their way to the Millennium Stadium to support the side and help them qualify for their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup.

The Roger Freestone Testimonial Sports Quiz

Saturday July 7 - The Gwynne Hall, Neath Can anyone who wants to attend this event get in touch with phil_sumbler@ukrivals.net.

This promises to be a fun packed evening with a few special guests and plenty of beer and food.

At only £8 per head, it represents great value for money and is the start of what should be a very special year for Roger.

Many Thanks to Rickard Keen Insurance Brokers who have put this evening together for us and I hope that everyone will help to support a great evening.

Swansea remain hopeful that striker Giovanni Savarese will sign an extension to his contract at The Vetch.

The Venezuelan international was the club's leading scorer last season, with 12 goals from 31 appearances, and was one of the few bright spots in a dismal season for The Swans.

The 30-year-old was tipped to leave the club in the wake of Swansea's relegation to Division Three, but according to Swansea managing director Mike Lewis, Savarese may well be wearing a Swansea shirt next season.

He told Swansea on-line: "The situation looks a lot more positive than before. I'm hopeful Gio will be at the club next season."

Swans full-back Lee Devulgt is celebrating after being put on standby for the Wales U-21 squad for two European Championship qualifiers.

The 20-year-old received a call-up for the matches against Poland and the Ukraine next month and joins clubmate Jason Jones in the travelling party.

He said: "I never really expected to be called - it's great. It'll be even better if I play, but I'm just pleased to be involved." Injured Swans trio Stuart Roberts, Lee Jenkins and Gareth Phillips will miss the trip.

Devulgt is yet to sign a new contract at the Vetch, but said he hoped to secure his future at the club on his return from international duty on June 7.

He said: "It is looking hopeful. With Steve Jones and Jason Price moving on, I think I'm the only right back at the club, so there's certainly an opportunity for me."

Former Swan Saunders shown door

Former Swan Dean Saunders has departed relegated Bradford City with a parting shot at manager Jim Jefferies.

Swansea-born Saunders, who began his career with the club, retired from international football recently, only to find Bradford would not offer him a new deal.

Saunders has had an injury-plagued season after damaging his knee in an InterToto Cup match, and manager Jim Jefferies admits he is surplus to requirements.

"The first game back I had, Chris Hutchings got sacked," Saunders said. "The new manager has come in and, to be honest, not really treated me that well - I never got the chance after that to play. I made my mind up I was leaving around January."

Having retired from the international arena to help prolong his club career, Saunders also has one eye on a future in football management.

"It's an important step for me now. I'm getting offered various different things from player-coaching to player-manager in some cases.

"It's difficult to make the right decision because when you stop playing there's no going back. I think I've still got another couple of seasons in me yet."

JOHN Hollins has been given a double boost with two more of his out-of-contract youngsters keen to stay on at Vetch Field.

Leigh De-Vulgt and Andrew Mumford both say they want to pen new deals and be part of Swansea City's Third Division challenge next season.

The pair are in the process of negotiating terms with the club and hope to settle their futures soon.

"I expect to stay at Swansea," said 20-year-old De-Vulgt. "I am just sorting out a few things at the moment and should have it all done soon, certainly before I go on holiday in July."

Mumford's situation is similar. "We are still talking at the moment," said the 19-year-old former Llanelli player. "I'd love to stay and hopefully that's what will happen."

Full-back De-Vulgt and utility man Mumford are the latest members of Swansea's new generation to express their hopes of remaining at Swansea, despite the club's relegation to the bottom rung of the Nationwide League.

Earlier this week, 19-year-old central defender Chris Todd stated his intention to sign a new deal at the Vetch.

The three youngsters were among the 10 out-of-contract players on Hollins's retained list, issued last week.

Meanwhile, Barry Town go in search of the double tonight when they face Total Network Solutions in the Welsh Cup final at the Racecourse. (6.55)

The League of Wales champions are favourites to see off TNS, a side they have beaten five times already this season.

SWANSEA City have frozen all ticket prices for next season's Third Division campaign.

And the club have offered extra savings plus two freebies to anyone who buys a season ticket before the end of June.

After the disappointment of relegation from Division Two, the club are rewarding early-buyers with a 20 per cent saving — as opposed to 10 per cent last summer — and an exclusive Swansea polo shirt which will not be available to buy.

They will also receive a Travel City voucher for free parking at Cardiff airport or free holiday insurance.

"Most season tickets are bought early so most fans will be making a saving," said club financial director Martin Burgess.

"We have thrown in a couple of goodies as we felt we had to give something back to the fans for their support."

Tickets bought in July still represent a saving over the season, and payments can be spread through the year.

Meanwhile, club chairman Neil McClure says he has not been contacted regarding a possible supporters' takeover of the club, despite growing internet speculation.

"We have always been interested in talking to fans about the possibility of them becoming shareholders in the club," he said."But as of yet we have had no firm approach regarding the idea."

Swansea's Youth Development Programme is such a success that the club are even attracting youngsters from fierce rivals Cardiff.

The Swans have just taken on a rising 13-year-old star from Bedwas in the Cardiff valleys - and the local paper there has produced a full-page feature on the move.

The youngster in question is Gareth Barber, who has signed a three-year contract at The Vetch. Barber is captain of the Rumney Valley schoolboy side and has also been picked for South Wales at that level.

The centre-back said: "I always wanted to be a footballer and The Swans have given me the chance, I intend to take it!"

Swans' defender Lee Devulgt is hoping that manager John Hollins' accent on youth will help him tie up a contract in the close season.

Devulgt has been used on a number of occasions in the first team this season and said: "It was good of John Hollins to give me a new deal at the end of last season.

"He told me I needed to build on it and improve this year and I feel I have.
"I've played more and I've been named Man of the Match on a couple of occasions."

Devulgt said he was very keen to remain with the club and said that the extra opportunities being offered to the club's young element by the manager since relegation was confirmed have been greatly appreciated."

The 20 year-old said: "It's great to show what we can do and I think we're responding but we do need the more experienced element like Matthew Bound and Nick Cusack to help guide us through."

Looking ahead he said that while everyone had taken relegation hard, everyone was now keen for the Division Three season to start.

"The chance to prove we're good enough to go back up can't come quickly enough and when we do we'll be all the better for this season's experience."

CHRIS Todd is hoping to sort out his Vetch Field future within the next couple of weeks.

The promising central defender is keen to commit himself to Swansea City, but is still discussing a new contract with the club.

Manager John Hollins has made Todd a new offer and is hoping to retain the 19-year-old after some fine displays towards the end of the Second Division campaign.

But Swansea-born Todd is not thought to be happy with the terms offered to him.

"Negotiations are continuing at the moment," he confirmed. "I want to stay with Swansea and hopefully it will be sorted soon. Things could be clearer in the next couple of weeks."

Todd hardly put a foot wrong at the heart of Swansea's defence after making his first-team debut against Northampton in March.

He is one of a number of young out-of-contract players whose fates have yet to be settled.

Stuart Roberts, Leigh De-Vulgt, Gareth Phillips and Andrew Mumford have all yet to decide whether they will be part of tnext season's Third Division challenge.

And the futures of Giovanni Savarese, Walter Boyd, Matthias Verschave and Nicolas Fabiano also remain unclear.

No progress has yet been made regarding any the four overseas stars.

Alan Cork has revealed that taking Cardiff City into the Second Division in his first season at Ninian Park has finally exorcised his Swansea ghost.

Cork's first experience as a manager came at the Vetch Field during the 1997-98 season, and ended in the sack after the Swans finished 20th in Division Three - their lowest league placing ever.

He could point to signing players such as Nick Cusack, Matthew Bound and Jason Smith - linchpins in Swansea's Third Division championship triumph two years later - but he believes it is only the last few months at Cardiff that have won him respect in South Wales.

'I thought I did OK at Swansea. I wasn't too worried about results at the end of the season because I was planning for the next year,' he said.

'I got players in for the following season and I got our pre-season schedule sorted out. But Peter Day (then Swansea's chief executive) told me I was sacked. To be fair to Peter, I don't think he knew what was going on.

'It was a shock and I felt let down because of all the preparation I'd done. The day before I was sacked I'd signed Jason Smith. Swansea won promotion last year with all my players. I gave Stuart Roberts his first contract and I gave longer contracts to youngsters like Gareth Phillips and Lee Jenkins.

'Cusack only cost me £10,000 and he did a great job that season, and you'd certainly get your money back now on Bound and Smith.'

Cork arrived at the Vetch as Micky Adams's assistant, but took charge when Adams left after 13 days. Ironically, the first person to phone and congratulate him after he won promotion with City was former Swansea chairman Steve Hamer.

'I'm friends with Steve. We go to the races together and we have a laugh and a joke,' Cork said. 'There's no point feeling bitter about what happened.

'I enjoyed my time at Swansea.

The fans were great and I was living in Langland Bay, which is a beautiful place to live. I think I could have done well there, although John Hollins came in and did a good job. Who knows what would have happened had I stayed?

'When you're sacked you think about what you did wrong. Looking back, I was guilty of thinking about the following season when I should have tried to get results from our final games.

'People just looked at the league table and that was it. They didn't see that I was trying to build foundations. The club was in a sorry state at the time.

'When you're sacked you find out who your friends are. Arthur Cox phoned me up from Derby and asked me if I wanted to help them out with some scouting, so I did that for a while.'

Cork was reunited with best friend Adams at Brighton but City owner Sam Hammam - for whom he played at Wimbledon - lured him to Cardiff as coach last September. He described the switch as 'like leaving my brother to rejoin my father'.

Cork said he had no intention of taking over first-team affairs when he arrived at Ninian Park. 'My brief was to work with Bobby (Gould) and Billy (Ayre),' he said. 'But we couldn't work together. The players were getting different views.

'They didn't know where we were coming from. Billy went and I felt sorry for him, but the same thing will happen to me one day.

'Bobby was then moved sideways and Sam asked me if I wanted the job. He said, 'You can do it now or wait'. I said I might as well get on with it now. If I fail, I fail.

'At one stage I thought we might not make automatic promotion because we were 15-odd points behind. It took a lot of hard work - and luck - to claw that back.'

Cork knows the promotion season will be consigned to the history books as soon as the new campaign kicks off in August.

'If we start badly the fans will be baying straight away. Everyone wants to win all the time.

'You'll never find a comfort zone in management. You're working on a knife's edge and that's why I like doing the job.

'I like the thrill and the stress. It's better than being, say, a butcher.'

Hammam makes no secret of the fact he wants City to move up the divisions over the next few seasons. Cork, however, is more cautious.

'If, at the end of the year, we're up there near the top then we'll sit down and plan accordingly. Managers who say they're going to win promotion are usually sacked by Christmas.

'Everyone expects miracles with Sam here, but if we get the players we want then we'll stand a decent chance.

FIRST division Grimsby Town are heading the chase to sign Swansea City winger Stuart Roberts if the young star opts to leave Vetch Field.

The Evening Post understands that Grimsby are one of three clubs to have shown an interest in the Llanelli-born 20-year-old.

Oxford United and FA Cup semi-finalists Wycombe are also believed to be tracking the Wales Under-21 player whose contract runs out at the end of next month.

Swansea have said that talks about a new deal have been continuing and last Thursday declared that Roberts would make a decision about his future in the next 48 hours.

But yesterday, after the time limit had passed without a decision, Roberts said: "I am still thinking it over. I will decide in the next week or two."

Under the Bosman ruling, Roberts can move on a free transfer once his contract with Swansea ends.

But because he is under 24, the club can seek compensation if the player leaves.

Grimsby may be losing right winger Kevin Donovan to Barnsley in the summer and manager Lennie Lawrence may see Roberts as the ideal replacement for the 29-year-old who was signed from West Bromwich for £200,000 in 1997.

If Roberts decides to move from the Vetch he could choose Oxford where he would join the revolution under new boss, former Liverpool and England defender Mark Wright.

But that would be a sideways step, so the youngster is more likely to sign for Wycombe where high-profile boss Lawrie Sanchez could take him under his wing.

Swansea manager John Hollins said he had heard nothing about the interest shown in the highly-rated Roberts.

"No club has been in contact with us because they don't need to," he said. "Stuart Roberts will be free to talk to anybody even though we have made an offer to him."

Dean Saunders, Wales's most-capped outfield player, has been released by Bradford City boss Jim Jefferies.

The Swansea-born 36-year-old is now being linked with a move to First Division Sheffield United.

Swans' outgoing chairman Neil McClure has said that he will continue to fund the club until a new buyer is found.

Speculation had grown that his Ninth Floor company may walk away or opt to put the club into receivership, but he said: "We've said we'll keep the club going.

"Perhaps there are those who think they could pick up a cheap bargain if it went into receivership, but that won't happen. It wouldn't be in Ninth Floor's interest to deny the club cash - and I expect to find a buyer reasonably soon. Once we've done that the company can proceed with its other interests.

"We've made the commitment to sell the club, and while we're not in a rush to do so it is now a distraction to us. We've invested £4million, money we won't get back," he added.

McClure said he realised that the company would have to pay the wages during the summer, and said he'd been in touch with managing director Mike Lewis about informing boss John Hollins what money was available.

McClure hasn't attended a Swans game since January of this year.

SWANSEA City winger Stuart Roberts says he needs more time before choosing whether to sign a new deal at Vetch Field.

Manager John Hollins is keen to keep the 20-year-old Llanelli-product and suggested that his future at Vetch Field would be settled by last weekend.

But Roberts, who has been linked with moves to the First Division and the Premiership, is stalling over Swansea's offer.

"I am still thinking it over. I will decide in the next week or two," he said.

There have been no developments as yet regarding the nine other out-of-contract players Hollins wants to retain for next season in the Third Division.

Meanwhile Swansea Schoolboys under-15s lifted the Glyncoed Shield thanks to an impressive 3-0 victory over Flint at Wrexham on Saturday.

Goals from Andrew Banfield, Robert Nagi and Stephen Williams gave the visitiors a comprehensive win.

"We played really well. It was a brilliant day and we fully deserved the victory," said delighted co-manager Gary Richards.

Outgoing Swansea City chief Neil McClure last night moved to brush aside fears about the club's future by declaring: "We will not be going into receivership."

In a typically no-punches pulled interview, McClure stressed no one would be buying his dub on the cheap. McClure also:

Rumours are continuing that Crewe could be ready to renew their interest in utility player Jason Price.

Speculation persists after Price re-affirmed his decision last week, to want to move away from The Vetch now that he is out of contract at the club.

There has also been talk of a swap deal, with it suggested Crewe's experienced former Stockport midfielder, Jim Gannon, could be a likely candidate to move in the other direction.