As expected, two of The Swans' Division Three games have been moved from Saturday to Friday night to avoid clashing with rugby internationals.

The Hartlepool game on Saturday, November 24 comes forward a day to Friday 23 to avoid a clash with Wales v Australia, as does the clash with Hull on Saturday, March 2, which has been moved to Friday, March 1. March 2 sees Wales take on Italy in the Six Nations Championship.

The Swans v Southend game on Saturday, February 16 is another candidate for a swap as Wales play France that day in Cardiff, but the Essex side have yet to formally sanction the switch.

Curtis confident Postman will deliver

Swans officials have been talking about their satisfaction at landing John Williams, their first summer signing. Assistant boss Alan Curtis said: "He was our top target and it is so good that we've agreed a deal and signed him. "He'll give us the pace we've been lacking for a number of seasons and he also knows Division Three very well, so will be aware of what to expect."

Managing director Mike Lewis said: "It was great to deal with a player who really wanted to come to Swansea. "Very often we've had to sell ourselves hard to players in the past, but not so with John. The discussion only lasted half an hour or so before he signed."

The former postman certainly does possess pace and won the Rumbelows sprint challenge back in 1991. Lewis also said that the club would be continuing to work to bring in other signings to bolster the side for Division Three.

Swans explain Conference decision

Swansea have been explaining why they supported the Nationwide League view of not allowing an extra team to gain promotion from the Conference.

The Swans backed continuing with one-up one-down and managing director Mike Lewis said: "People who don't understand this issue think it's just a case of the league clubs looking after themselves but that's not true.

"In principle two-up, two-down is ok, but there needed to be an agreement on compensation to Nationwide League clubs that are relegated.

"At the moment the payment's £125,000 and though Conference clubs were willing to double that, it was only for a two-year period."

Bound ban blow

The Swans have been rocked by the news that influential defender Matthew Bound will miss the first four games of the season through suspension.

The centre-back was dismissed during the home clash with Cambridge United on the final day of the last campaign for a bad challenge, triggering a three-game suspension.

But the ban has been extended by one game as Bound was red carded earlier in the season in the game at The Vetch against Oxford United.

OUT-OF-CONTRACT midfielder Gareth Phillips has become the second player to re-sign with Swansea City this summer.

The 21-year-old today followed in the footsteps of Leigh De-Vulgt by penning a two-year deal at the Vetch.

"I am delighted to be staying at Swansea," said Phillips. "I always wanted to re-sign but we needed to iron out a few things before I did.

"I was 13 when I first came to the club. I have spent eight years with everybody here and I never wanted to go anywhere else.

"Hopefully we will get a good start next season and get straight back up to Division Two."

Phillips's signature is a major boost for Swansea after the Pontypridd-born youngster's sterling performances towards the end of last season.

His tenacious style and high work-rate were recognised by Wales under-21 boss Jimmy Shoulder, who handed Phillips his first cap against Ukraine in March.

"Everybody at the club is pleased and I am sure the fans will be delighted to hear that Gareth is staying," said assistant manager Alan Curtis.

"It's been a good year for him. He won a place in the first team on merit, he got a Welsh cap and now he's got a new contract.

"Hopefully he will now play a full part as we look to bounce back next season. We all saw how well he did at the end of the last campaign. More of the same would be nice, and hopefully Gareth will be a trigger for others to re-sign with Swansea."

The club are still waiting to hear from Stuart Roberts, Andrew Mumford, Bari Morgan and Chris Todd. All four have been offered new deals.

Swansea have switched three of next season's fixtures to Friday nights to avoid clashes with Welsh rugby internationals.

The home games with Hartlepool on November 24, when Wales host Australia, and Hull on March 2, when Graham Henry's men face Italy, have been brought forward by a day.

Swansea's home clash with Southend, scheduled for February 16, will be played the previous night because Wales play France on that day while the trip to Bristol Rovers set for January 23 has also been brought forward a day. Wales's clash with Scotland means the visit of York on April 6 is in jeopardy.

SWANSEA City have signed striker John Williams from Third Division rivals Darlington on a Bosman free.

The 33-year-old former Coventry City player has penned a two-year deal at the Vetch — where he started his professional career in 1991.

And Swansea boss John Hollins has hailed the 6ft 2in striker's return as great news for the club.

"John is an excellent signing for us. He is ambitious and is keen to play and prepared to work," he said.

"He is a big strong lad, he is quick and he likes to run the lines. He is also very experienced and knows what it's like to play at this level.

"He is my first signing and I hope it will be the first of many."

Williams arrives at Vetch Field after a brief spell with Darlington, who he joined after leaving York City in December 2000.

The former postman rejected the offer of a new six-month deal at Feethams and was last week being linked with a move to Exeter City.

But Williams had no problem choosing where to go once an enquiry came from Swansea.

"As soon as I found out they were interested I jumped at the chance of coming back to Swansea," he said.

"John Hollins and Alan Curtis are very ambitious and they are looking to win things. Hopefully I can add something to the side with a few goals and help the club on the way to success.

"I had some good times here at the start of my career, with any luck there will be some more now."

Birmingham-born Williams, who was once crowned the fastest player in league football, has played for 11 clubs including Swansea.

As well as Coventry, York and Darlington, he has spent time at Wycombe, Walsall, Hereford, Exeter and Cardiff, plus loan spells at Stoke and Notts County.

He joined Swansea originally from non-league Cradley Heath in 1991 before signing for Premiership Coventry in 1992, then returned briefly from Highfield Road on loan in 1995. He made 46 appearances for the club and scored 13 goals.

Meanwhile, Swansea have been dealt a blow with the news that Matthew Bound will miss the first four games of the new season through suspension.

The 28-year-old central defender has been given the hefty ban because he was sent off twice during last season's Second Division campaign.

Bound was dismissed against Oxford in November and Cambridge on the final day.

He is ruled out of the trips to Macclesfield and Lincoln, plus the home games with Oxford and Peterborough in the Worthington Cup.

Former Swansea City assistant manager Billy Ayre is battling against cancer for a second time.

Hundreds of Welsh well-wishers have written to the former Cardiff City boss, who was also Jan Molby's assistant at the Vetch.

The messages were posted on Bury's official website. Ayre is first-team coach at the Second Division club. Swansea play Bury in a pre-season friendly at the Vetch on July 31.

SWANSEA City centre of excellence goalkeeper Adam Powell flew to Iceland today to spend a month with Reykjavik club FC Throttur.

The 6ft 3in 15-year-old is the first player to travel as part of the two clubs' new exchange scheme.

In September, during the Icelandic close season, a number of Throttur's youth players will arrive for loan spells at Vetch Field.

Powell, Swansea's under-15 stopper and a Welsh under-16 international, will train and play with Throttur's youth side.

The highlight of his trip is likely to be the Norway Cup, played every in year Oslo by sides invited from across Europe.

Swans director of youth development Paul Compton, who set up the exchange system, believes it is positive step for the club.

"By travelling to link up with Throttur, Adam is going to experience a whole new way of life and football," he said.

"They are one of the better clubs in Iceland and have exceptional facilities, so I am sure he will enjoy his spell there and it will benefit his development enormously.

"I look forward to his return so we can assess how effective the programme will be."

Two other young Swans, Richard Duffy and Stuart Roberts's brother Matthew, have been called up to the Wales Under-16 squad for the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland next month.

Meanwhile, the centre of excellence's under-nine, under-10 and under-11 teams will play programmes of matches next season.

The Football League, who provide much funding, have decided they should play games like the older centre of excellence teams. The change means the young players, who used to only train with Swansea, will not be allowed to play local football.

Former flying postman John Williams has rejoined Swansea City a decade after they first signed him.

"It feels great to be back," said the 33-year-old forward who rejected a new contract offer by Third Division rivals Darlington.

"I was impressed by what the manager John Hollins and his assistant Alan Curtis had to say and believe the Swans are a good club. In the past three years they have reached the play-offs, become Third Division champions and been relegated.

"Hopefully we can bounce back and get promoted again next season.

"In this division the teams that do well are the well-organised ones with good defensive records, which Swansea were two seasons ago.

"The ones who can score goals as well as keep them out get promoted. Two seasons ago I scored 16 for Cardiff City - 12 in the league - to help them gain promotion.

"It's the only time in my career I've ever won anything apart from the sprint challenge at Wembley.

"That's in the past but I would like to think I'll be able to contribute to that aspect of Swansea's play. With a bit of pace up front they should do well."

Birmingham-born Williams began his league career with the Swans in the summer of 1991.

Frank Burrows, then manager, signed him from Cradley Town for £5,000 and sold him to Coventry, then managed by Bobby Gould, for £250,000 a year later.

After brief loan spells with Notts County, Stoke and the Swans, he joined Wycombe for £150,000 in September 1995.

He moved to Hereford, Walsall and Exeter before Burrows signed him again, for the Bluebirds, in August 1998 on a free transfer. A year later he sold him for £20,000 to York from whom he joined Darlington.

Swansea City are set to complete their first signing of the summer, with the return of former Vetch striker John Williams to the club.

Williams has turned down a new deal with current club Darlington, and the experienced hitman is undergoing a medical on Tuesday afternoon.

Williams, who netted a couple for City during a seven-game loan spell from Coventry City in the 1994-95 season, scored 12 league goals for South Wales rivals Cardiff when they were promot ed from Division Three two years back.

Swansea's youth goalkeeper Adam Powell is flying out to Iceland on Tuesday for a month's training with Reykjavik-based outfit Throttur FC.

The 15-year-old hot prospect who has already played for Wales' Under-16s, will feature for the Icelandic side, who have close connections with The Swans, in a cup competition in Norway over the summer.

As part of the links forged between the two sides, several players will jet over to Wales from FC Throttur in September to gain a taste of life training with a British club.

Powell is set to be promoted to the club's Under-17 side when the new season gets underway.

Molby admits Danish interest

Former Swans boss Jan Molby has revealed he would be interested in the vacant managerial post at Copenhagen, if the Danes made him an offer.

The Danish outfit were left in shock when former Blackburn boss Roy Hodgson announced that he wants to terminate his contract so he can join Italian Serie A side Udinese, only a week after he guided FC Copenhagen to the championship.

The club have announced that they are looking for a big name with international experience, and Molby, now manager at Kidderminster, has been mentioned as a potential candidate, along with Stuart Baxter, who guided AIK to the Swedish championship in 1998, and former Germany national coach Berti Vogts.

"If I go home to train a team, it would have to be someone like Copenhagen or Brondby," said Molby on the official Liverpool website. "Of course, it would be an interesting idea but at the moment it's purely hypothetical and I have a three-year deal with Kidderminster.

"But if Copenhagen should call, I would be interested and I believe I could find a solution with my English club if needs be."

Swansea City supremo Neil McClure last night admitted there is more than one genuine group involved in talks to buy the up-for-sale club.

And that is why plans to make an announcement seem to have been put on hold over a consortium McClure's sidekick Mike Lewis has been dealing with.

Lewis insists he is NOT part of that group, pointing out he is merely trying to sell the club for McClure's Ninth Floor umbrella firm.

But the Swans managing director is standing for election to the Football Association of Wales' 27-man ruling council this summer and has to be involved with a club to be voted on.

Lewis confirmed: "I would hope whoever buys the club will retain my services."

McClure, the Swans' outgoing chairman, would not shed any light on the people he was involved in talks with.

One group, involving local businessman David Bradshaw has been linked with the takeover. They have held talks with McClure but it appears their hopes of doing a deal are on the wane.

Another consortium which has been linked with the club is said to involve Durham-based millionaire Mark Donnelly, a sportswear company tycoon reputed to be worth almost £50m.

He is reported to be the main player of a three-man consortium which includes Canadian businessman Neville Thomas, originally from Swansea.

Lewis insisted he had heard of neither man, even though the pair, and a London-based marketing mogul, are continuing to have their names linked with a deal.

There is at least one other group also involved, but McClure was shedding no light on the matter.

"I told you personally in the first place when we put the club up for sale that the first announcement from me would be when the club was sold," he said.

"The only change to that I will confirm at this stage is that more than one conversation is going on with interested PARTIES.

"I'm hopeful something will happen within the next few weeks.

"But it's pointless speculating any further because you know as well as I do that no deal is done until it is formally signed.

"What is it they say about the fat lady singing? Let's wait until pen is formally put to paper. An announcement will come then.

"In the interim, we are still picking up the bills and we are still signing the cheques."

Meanwhile, whoever the new owners are, Lewis remains hopeful he can remain at the helm at The Vetch.

His move to join the FAW follows McClure standing in the south Wales area three years ago - when the Swans chairman only polled three votes!

There are eight candidates pushing for six FAW seats in the area.

The current FAW members - Ken Tucker, Ray Smiles, Keiron O'Connor, Mike Casey and David Griffiths - may well each be voted back on.

That leaves Lewis likely to contest the remaining vacancy with John Harris of Neath AFC and Alan Watkins of Llanwern.

As members of the Welsh League management committee, it is possible they will split the vote, giving Lewis more hope than McClure of getting a seat upon the FAW.

But even if that were to happen, he would still need to be involved with the Swans to hold down that FAW position.

The FAW election announcements will be made at the start of August. McClure will hope he has new Swans owners by then.

Meanwhile, Lewis says the Swans will demand a £250,000 fee if and when Welsh under-21 ace Stuart Roberts leaves The Vetch this summer.

The winger, who is being linked with Charlton, can walk out because his contract has run out.

But because he is under 24, Roberts will not be permitted to go on a Bosman free transfer.

That means the Swans will get a six-figure fee for their man.

If they can't agree one with the buying club, the matter will go to a transfer tribunal.

The Swans have told Giovanni Savarese's agent that they will not be making a new contract offer to the striker until he decides on his future.

Savarese has previously said that he will only consider a return to The Vetch if no First or Second Division clubs offer him a contract for next season.

The Swans have now warned the Venezuelan international that they will wait and see if anything develops before they offer him a new deal.

Meanwhile, The Swans are still waiting to hear from Gareth Phillips, Chris Todd, Stuart Roberts and Andrew Mumford as they ponder new deals offered to them recently.

John Hollins wants to hear from the players as soon as possible as he tries to organize his squad for the approaching season.

Savarese's future at The Vetch is still in the balance

Appleby in Pool talks

Swans winger Richie Appleby, who has asked to leave the Vetch, is reported to be having talks with Third Division Hartlepool. Appleby still has a year to run on his Swans contract but has been dogged by a persistent heel injury and has failed to force his way into the first-team reckoning.

But the 25-year-old midfielder originally hails from the North East and may be keen to return to his roots.

Meanwhile, Hartlepool are also said to be in talks with another player who has been linked with The Swans - Cardiff midfielder Jason Fowler.

Swansea City can expect a big turn-out on February 2 when their popular former manager Jan Molby returns to the Vetch Field with Kidderminster Harriers for the first time since his acrimonious dismissal four years ago. Relegated Swansea start the season at Macclesfield and Wrexham, like Cardiff, kick-off with home advantage, against Oldham Athletic.

Brian Flynn's men face Cardiff at the Racecourse on November 3 with the Ninian Park return not scheduled until March 23, 2002.

That date may be changed because it clashes with the England v Wales rugby international at Twickenham. Other games involving Wales's three clubs may also be switched. Wales play Ireland in the postponed Six Nations game on October 13 when Cardiff are scheduled to welcome Wigan Athletic.

Their soccer counterparts have World Cup ties at home to Armenia (Sept 1) and away to Norway (Sept 5) before the final qualifier against Belarus at the Millennium Stadium on October 6.

Billy Ayre, sacked last season as Cardiff manager weeks after the start of the Hammam regime, will be back at Ninian Park on January 26 as coach to Bury.

City have an attractive home Boxing Day fixture with Reading, beaten by Walsall in the play-off final at the Millennium Stadium, and travel to Brentford on New Year's Day.

Wrexham, who have changed their nickname from the Robins to the Red Dragons, are home to Swindon on Boxing Day and Swansea must travel to Exeter.

But Swansea will be home to Plymouth on New Year's Day when Wrexham visit Bury. In the Premiership - which kicks off a week later than the Nationwide League - new-boys Fulham face the ultimate opening day test at Manchester United, champions seven times in the last nine years.

Four days later - on August 22 - United travel to another promoted club, Graeme Souness's Blackburn Rovers who are likely to feature former Red Devil and Wales manager Mark Hughes.

United face a demanding schedule before Christmas with

SWANSEA City will kick off their Third Division campaign with an away fixture in Cheshire against Macclesfield on August 11.

The match begins a hectic schedule of 25 games before the New Year to allow the league season to be shortened by a month because of next summer's World Cup Finals.

September is the busiest month for the players with seven games in five weeks including back-to-back gruelling away trips to Scunthorpe and Hull.

Swansea boss John Hollins will be hoping to start the campaign with a win, something the team has not managed since the season opener against Exeter at the Vetch in 1998.

Macclesfield struggled to 14th in Division Three last term and will want to get their season off on the right note with a win.

Boxing Day sees a trip to Exeter before a visit to Cheltenham three days later.

The Swans will be back at the Vetch on New Year's Day to face Plymouth Argyle.

They will hope to repeat the festive success enjoyed over Paul Sturrock's side during the Third Division promotion campaign when Walter Boyd scored the only goal.

Some fixtures may have to rearranged due to international commitments;

Wales play Armenia on September 1, the same day Swansea are due to meet Plymouth at Home Park.

With the minimum three players likely to be called up, that game is likely to be postponed, as is the the home clash with Rushden and Diamonds on November 3.

Wales's packed fixture list of rugby internationals could see four further Swansea matches rearranged.

The game with Australia in November and the three home Six Nations matches in 2002 all clash with Vetch Field matches.

Swansea City managing director Mike Lewis last night warned out-of-contract starlets Stuart Roberts, Gareth Phillips and Chris Todd that they will not receive improved offers from the club.

Wales Under-21 winger Roberts has already turned down a new deal while defender Todd and highly-rated midfielder Phillips have yet to agree to new terms.

And with pre-season training looming, Lewis said manager John Hollins will soon be forced to start looking for replacements - which could see the trio fall out of the first-team picture at the Vetch if they fail to find new clubs.

"We are trying to build a squad of 22 players that will get us back to the Second Division and we can't wait forever," said Lewis yesterday.

"There are 494 players out there available on a free transfer and we're not going to hang around. We are looking for new players, not just in this country but abroad.

"As I speak, John and his assistant (Alan Curtis) are drawing up a list of players who we need and who we can afford."

Added Lewis, "There is no more money in the kitty for Roberts, Todd or Phillips. We're not shifting on that. We've offered good terms, as shown by Leigh De-Vulgt accepting his new contract.

"We are not going to offer any more than we already have. The players are looking after their interests - and I'm looking after the club's interests.

"This club is up for sale and I can't allow the budget on the football side to run silly. We've got to crop corners.

"We want the issue with the out-of-contract players sorted out by July 2 when pre-season starts. We don't want a situation where we have 13 contracted players and seven trialists.

"We want a full complement of 22 players dedicated to Swansea City and to getting the club back into Division Two."

Last week Roberts, voted Swansea's Player of the Year last season, described his new contract terms as "insulting".

But Lewis said, "I want to put this straight. In February we made Stuart a substantial new offer. We thought he would accept it but he turned it down.

"In May we made him a second offer. It was less than the one in February because new budgets were put in place, but it was still significantly more than what he was earning last season.

"We haven't heard anything from Stuart. We were supposed to hear from him by June 19 but we understand he's on holiday. We could take the line that he doesn't want to come back to Swansea but I don't think that's the case.

"Swansea doesn't want to lose the services of Stuart Roberts. He's a local boy with a lot of ability and his talent can be frightening at times, as he showed against West Ham in the FA Cup two years ago.

"But what he's got to be careful of is that if he doesn't find himself another club he'll end up coming back to us on a week-to-week contract and under the old terms.

"That's always a messy situation and no one wants that.

"And if John (Hollins) brings in a forward because Stuart didn't sign a new contract, there may not be any room for him in the team if he is still here. Todd and Phillips could find themselves in the same situation."

The Swans are desperately short of firepower having lost strikers Giovanni Savarese and Walter Boyd plus winger Jason Price during the summer. But Lewis assured supporters the squad would be strengthened before the big kick-off.

SWANSEA City chairman Neil McClure is confident that the club will be sold before the start of the new season.

According to a Ninth Floor spokesman, McClure has been discussing the sale of the club with a number of interested parties but he could not put an exact date on a completed deal.

"Mr McClure has been talking to a number of people," said the spokesman.

"He is confident that the sale will be completed before the start of next season.

"It's not possible to say when it will happen. It could take two weeks or it could take two months."

The sale of the club will end months of speculation over the new owners since Ninth Floor decided to put Swansea on the market back in February.

Swansea-born film star Catherine Zeta Jones, DJ Chris Evans and an Arab sheik have all been linked with the buyout but that all proved to be no more than rumours.

Since Ninth Floor's decision to sell the club speculation has increased and this week Swansea City managing director Mike Lewis posted a statement on the club's official website urging supporters to be patient about the sale, transfer activity and the proposed move to the city's Morfa Stadium.

"The football club appreciates fans are concerned about the lack of transfer activity, the developments over the Morfa Stadium site and the arrival of new owners," the statement read.

"Please have a little more patience as we hope to announce positive moves in the three areas within the next couple of weeks."

The proposed £1m takeover of Swansea City was last night said to be moving closer to completion.

Club chairman Neil McClure, chief executive of Swansea's owners Ninth Floor plc, is understood to be holding meetings this week with a business consortium and an announcement is expected before the end of June.

Staff at the club say there have been a number of 'new faces' looking over the ground in the past few weeks and it is understood Swansea City FC could change hands for around £1m.

In February, when the club issued its half yearly report, the Swans made a pre-tax loss of £797,000 signalling Ninth Floor's decision to put the then struggling outfit on the open market. The separation became complete when McClure confessed that he was a Norwich City supporter.

Speculation mounted over the identity of the new owners with wealthy celebrities such as Chris Evans and Catherine Zeta Jones being linked to the club but there were no firm bids.

But now a source at the club said that talks are getting under way this week with a group of businessmen based in various parts of the United Kingdom with a number having strong Welsh links.

The source said, 'Mr McClure is now very confident the club will be sold before next season and he is speaking to a consortium very interested in becoming the new owners.

'Obviously the finer points of any sale has to be worked out and that will take time but this a serious bid with strong backing.' Swansea managing director Mike Lewis posted a message on the club's website earlier this week urging fans to be patient as there would be takeover developments in the next three weeks.

Whoever the new owners of the club may be will no doubt have been looking nervously at the statements from Swansea City and County Council members over the past few weeks regarding the future of the £75m Morfa Stadium project.

While the authority has granted planning permission in principle for a new joint stadium to house Swansea City and Swansea RFC along with a new hotel, cinema, restaurants, bars and shopping complex a number of councillors have voiced scepticism about the move to Morfa.

However, Byron Owen, the council's cabinet member for development says commercial interest in the scheme has been strong.

Despite that, Mr Owen has made it clear that no firm start date can be given for the new Morfa Stadium because the whole project depends on securing anchor tenants for major shopping and leisure elements.

The authority's developers have been working hard over the past few months in persuading tenants to come on board.

Ninth Floor said earlier this year that the stadium would be ready for use by Swansea City and Swansea RFC by the summer of 2002.

Cardiff City have been handed a tough away tie at Millwall following today's draw for the first round of next season's Worthington Cup.

The Bluebirds will travel to face the Second Division Champions at the New Den on August 20 in a one-off tie instead of the two-legged format used in previous seasons.

Wrexham will host third division play-off semi-finalist Hull, while Swansea have home advantage against Peterborough.

Last season's defeated finalists Birmingham, beaten in the final on penalties by Liverpool, have home advantage against Third Division Southend - who they also played in the first round on their way to the Millennium Stadium.

Worthington Cup first round draw: Kidderminster v Preston North End, Mansfield v Notts County, Port Vale v Chesterfield, Darlington v Sheffield United, Burnley v Rushden & Diamonds, Hartlepool v Nottingham Forest, Barnsley v Halifax, Wrexham v Hull, Stockport v Carlise, Scunthorpe v Rotherham, Bury v Sheffield Wednesday, Stoke v Oldham, Huddersfield v Rochdale, Blackpool v Wigan, Macclesfield v Bradford, Grimsby v Linclon, York v Crewe, Tranmere v Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton v Swindon, Exeter v Walsall, Millwall v Cardiff, Cambridge United v West Bromich Albion, Bristol City v Cheltenham, Swansea v Peterborough, Birmingham v Southend, Oxford v Gillingham, Leyton Orient v Crystal Palace, Wycombe v Bristol Rovers, Northampton v QPR, Bournemouth v Torquay, Watford v Plymouth, Brentford v Norwich, Brighton v Wimbledon, Portsmouth v Colchester, Reading v Luton.

Swansea will entertain Peterborough in the first round of the Worthington Cup, the draw for which was made this morning.

The first round tie will be played over just one leg at the Vetch Field and will be played on either Tuesday, August 21 or Wednesday, August 22.


Roberts offer confusion

The club have refuted speculation they offered winger Stuart Roberts reduced terms to stay with the club and claimed they offered an increase.

The 19-year-old is out-of-contract and there have been a number of clubs interested in his services after he turned down The Swans' latest contract offer.

Some sections of the media had claimed that Roberts was offered reduced terms to stay at The Vetch.

However, a club spokesman said: "The player concerned has been made an improved contract offer."

The club have also spoken out against some reports which suggest Roberts will be allowed now to leave for nothing.
A spokesman said that they are entitled to a fee because he is under 24, and they would actively seek compensation from any club that wants to sign him.

Swansea will find out their opposition for the first round of the Worthington Cup this coming Tuesday when the draw takes place.

The draw will consist of the 48 clubs from Divisions Two and Three and 21 clubs from Division One, plus Bradford City who finished bottom of the Premiership, to have an equal number of teams in the first round.

Coventry and Manchester City, who were relegated with The Bantams last season, will enter at the second round stage along with 13 Premiership sides.

The seven clubs involved in European competition will not play in the cup until the third round.

The draw takes place on Tuesday at 10am, with the ties to be played on either Tuesday, August 21, or Wednesday, August 22.

Last year The Swans were knocked out of the competition in the opening round, beaten over two legs by West Bromich Albion.

The Swans have been made joint-third favourites at 10/1 to land the Division Three title at the end of next season by leading bookies Ladbrokes.

Luton Town are favourites at 6/1, with Bristol Rovers available at 7/1 and Oxford United priced at 12/1.

All four of those sides were relegated from Division Two last season and will be hoping to bounce back at the first attempt.

Exeter City, Shrewsbury Town and Halifax Town are all tipped to struggle, while Rushden and Diamonds, Hull City and Leyton Orient join Swansea at tens.

Addicks linked to Roberts swoop

The Swans out-of-contract winger Stuart Roberts is said to be attracting the attention of Premiership Charlton Athletic. They are just the latest club in a long line to be linked with the 20-year-old, who is unhappy at being unable to sort out new terms at The Vetch.

He said: "I'm upset about that. I've got a lot of thinking to do and when I get back from holiday I'll have to make a decision.

"I don't want to leave it too long as I need to plan for the future."

It is also claimed that Stoke are interested in Roberts, after previously reported interest from Grimsby, Southampton, Sunderland and Wycombe.

The Swans would be entitled to compensation for Roberts as he is under the age of 24 but he has always said he does not want to go.
He said: "I've been talking to the club since Christmas and I have to decide.

"If I do go it'll be a massive decision to make as I love it here and the fans have always been great to me but I have to think about my career too."