Swansea City will get an authentic taste of the Third Division today when they face an abrasive Macclesfield side at the compact Moss Rose Ground.

But Swansea captain Nick Cusack insists last season's relegation trauma is 'out of the system' and that the Swans can return from a tricky opening-day fixture with three points.

'There's a new challenge ahead and we want to set the record straight. Our ambition is to get back into Division Two,' said midfielder Cusack, who skippered the side to the Third Division championship in 1999-2000.

'Last season was very disappointing for us. There were a few long faces in the dressing room at the end of it, but it's out of our system now.

'We've had to put relegation behind us and I think we've done that. Everybody's positive now. We know the task ahead.'

Macclesfield, managed by Gil Prescott, signed Wrexham defender David Ridler and Stoke striker Kyle Lightbourne, who had a loan spell with Cardiff last season, during the summer.

Added Cusack, 'With the acquisitions the boss (John Hollins) has made, I think we look a stronger outfit than we were last season.

"Looking back at our time in the Second Division, we started quite well but, not wanting to hide behind any excuses, some key players got injured and we were a little bit light up front.

'Once the injuries kicked in it was difficult to get players on the park. We weren't like Millwall or Reading who could go out and buy players.

'I can see positive signs this season. I don't like making predictions but I'm very optimistic. Anyone who saw our friendlies against Bury (1-1) and Jamaica (0-1) will have seen some good things.

'We did well against Bury and should have won that game really. That's the type of team we'll be coming up against in the Third Division.

'And the feedback from the Jamaican players was that they were surprised we could keep up with them. That shows our fitness is very good.

'We've got guys like Roger Freestone, Mathew Bound, Jason Smith, Jonathan Coates and Steve Watkin - they know what it takes to get out of this division.'

Rotherham-born Cusack, who will celebrate his 36th birthday on Christmas Eve, joined the Swans in 1996 and has signed up for another year at least.

'I'm not planning on hanging my boots up just yet,' he said. 'My heart and soul is in Swansea and I desperately want to get back in the Second Division.

'We've had difficult times in recent months, but with Mike Lewis now at the helm and John Hollins and Alan Curtis in charge of the playing side, I'm sure we can get things back on track.

'Perhaps last season we didn't appreciate how good some of the teams were. We paid the penalty for underestimating the strikers. They were quick and deadly when it came to finishing.

'I don't think they'll be as good in this division. They tend to be bigger and more physical and our defence should be able to deal with that.'

Cusack also paid tribute to Swans manager Hollins and believes he is the right man to take the club into a higher division.

'The players are 100 per cent behind the gaffer. If you don't enjoy working for someone like John then something is wrong with you. He gives you confidence by encouraging you.

'I've worked for a lot managers in my career - Kevin Keegan, Ray Wilkins, Micky Adams, Brian Horton - and John is definitely the best I've worked with,' he explained.

'Don't get me wrong, they are all good managers and I've got on with all of them, but John's style is the one I'm most comfortable with. If I ever become a manager then I will emulate his approach.'

FROM Mali to Macclesfield, new striker Mamady Sidibe is hoping to put Swansea City on the winning trail when the Nationwide League season kicks off tomorrow.

Born 21 years ago in the West African country — famed for the mysterious town of Timbuctoo - Sidibe grew up in France and has spent the last three seasons playing in the French lower divisions with two clubs in Paris.

He arrived in South Wales last month, speaking no English, for a trial at Vetch Field.

He now has a 12-month contract with Swansea, but still struggles to communicate with his new colleagues.

Even so, with the help of bilingual compatriot and team-mate David Romo, the rangy, 6ft 4in centre-forward has made his intentions clear ahead of tomorrow's trip to Cheshire.

"My position is striker so my job is to score goals," he said. "And I'm ready to start scoring. If I'm picked, I want to get my first goal for the first-team this weekend."

Sidibe has already notched one goal for his new club, in the 3-0 pre-season friendly win at Aberystwyth, but knows scoring in the Division Three clash with Macclesfield will be a tougher proposition.

"It's going to be hard for me because it will be my first game and I think it will be difficult for the team because everyone knows Swansea are chasing promotion and will want to beat us.

"But if we play like we did against Bury we should be okay."

Sidibe was outstanding in the 1-1 pre-season draw with Second Division Bury last week, showing energy and power and putting Steve Watkin through for Swansea's goal.

To the 1,400 or so Swans fans who were at the Vetch that night, he is already a hero.

"I did not realise the fans took to me but I am very happy if they did," he said.

"The big difference I have already noticed between Swansea and my old club in Paris is the supporters.

"Here when you play you feel that everyone loves the club and supports the team. It's a real boost and I'm very happy to be here."

And if Sidibe lives up to the potential he has shown during pre-season, life in Wales will get better and better.

SWANSEA City chairman Mike Lewis has expressed his delight after the club sealed a new three-year deal with Bass Brewers.

In return for making Bass the sole supplier of beer to Vetch Field for the next three years, the club will receive various benefits from the brewing giants.

New Carling player-of-the-month and player-of-the-season awards will be launched soon, while Bass will fund and sponsor a fans' page in Swansea's match programme.

Former Wales rugby international Geoff Wheel will work with the club as account manager.

"While aware of changing times at the Vetch, we also know of Swansea's potential and the passion and support for the club," said Bass's Swansea-born regional director Diane Rees.

"Swansea's great football traditions and heritage tell us the time is right to become involved.

"Last season's disappointments are behind the club and the good times can quickly return to the Vetch.

"We are aware of the exciting plans and aspirations the club has with the Morfa Stadium project and we want to play our part in any way we can in bringing these plans into fruition.

"It is hoped that Bass showing this example of faith in the club will encourage others to become involved as well."

Lewis, chairman of the club since buying it for £1 last month, said: "We are delighted to be able to link up with such a prestigious company as Bass. We see the future as a bright and prosperous one and with Bass's support we can move ahead firmly and quickly."

Bass is also involved in sponsoring Welsh rugby, cricket and golf.

SWANSEA City manager John Hollins is aiming to start the Third Division promotion band-wagon rolling with victory at Macclesfield Town at 3pm on Saturday.

And Hollins insists his squad, which features three new faces, is raring to go at Moss Rose tomorrow.
''We are all very much looking forward to getting our teeth into the new season,'' he said.

‘‘The anticipation within the club is massive and all we want to do now is get the game underway.

‘‘What we have got to do is make sure we pick up a few points and get the supporters excited about the new season. I think a good start is important.''

Swansea have not won on the opening day of the season since 1998, when they beat Exeter 2-0 at Vetch Field.

Last year they played out a goalless draw with Wigan, while the Third Division championship season began with defeat at York.

‘‘I remember losing at York and a bunch of fans afterwards were asking what was going on. As we proved that season, it's only one game,'' Hollins added.

‘‘But it would be good to get a win under our belts tomorrow and then we could all come back and look forward to the big game with Oxford next week.''

Swansea's summer signings John Williams, Nicolas Mazzina and Mamady Sidibe — who has recovered from a training ground knock — should all be available for the trip to Cheshire tomorrow.

Macclesfield have made five new signings just this week and have also picked up Bermudan international striker Kyle Lightbourne on a free transfer over the summer.

‘‘They have brought in a lot of new faces, like many other sides in the division,'' said Hollins.

‘‘But that could be a good thing for us as they may well struggle to play as a team.''

He added: ‘‘Our preparations for the new season have not been ideal because we had to spend the few first few weeks looking at triallists and perhaps neglected the players already under our noses.

‘‘But that is all gone and forgotten now and we are ready to go.''

Jason Smith is not quite ready having failed to recover from his long-term ankle injury, while fellow centre-back Matthew Bound will also be missing through suspension. Kristian O'Leary and Chris Todd take their place.

Other injury victims are Irish winger Ryan Casey (knee) and midfielder Damian Lacey, who had an operation on his troublesome foot last week. Andrew Mumford (ankle) is also out.

SWANSEA City boss John Hollins has told his players to sharpen up in front of goal when they meet Macclesfield on Saturday.

The instruction comes despite Swansea's comprehensive 5-1 victory in their final pre-season game at Haverfordwest County this week.

Stuart Roberts, Craig Draper and new boy John Williams were on target at the Bridge Meadow Stadium, but Hollins is still not happy.

"After a stunning first half we started to choose the complicated option and only got one more when we should have had lots more," said Hollins.

"I was annoyed because we could and should have got more goals. I am demanding better quality in the danger area from my players and I won't settle for less."

Swansea struggled up front in the Second Division last season and during the Third Division title-winning campaign the previous year.

Former Coventry striker Williams and exciting Frenchman Mamady Sidibe have arrived at Vetch Field this summer as Hollins looks to solve his attacking problems, but the goals have not exactly flowed during pre-season.

Now Hollins believes simplicity will be the answer at Moss Rose in this weekend's Nationwide League opener.

"When you play a simple pass-and-move game, you will score goals. There's no need to complicate things," he said.

"If you are on the wing and you get a good cross in, that's your job done. There's no need to beat three or four people. If the strikers don't get on the end of it, it's not your fault."

Macclesfield have added some last-minute reinforcements to their squad ahead of Swansea's visit.

Manager Gil Prescott has signed an astonishing five players — Steve Wilson from Hull, Richard Eyre from Port Vale, Andy McAvoy from Hartlepool, Steven Hodgson from Manchester City and apprentice Michael Welch.

"Their attitude and application has been top drawer and I'm delighted to have been able to get them all," said Prescott.

Swansea completed their pre-season campaign with a 5-1 away victory over League of Wales side Haverfordwest County. The Swans were given an early shock when their former striker Steve Mardenborough headed home after only three minutes to give the home side an early lead.

But that was quickly wiped out when defender Jamie Gilderdale put the ball past his own goalkeeper to bring Swansea level. Goals from Stuart Roberts, John Williams (2) and Craig Draper made the win comfortable in the end.

Manager John Hollis said: "It was another good workout. We never made any changes so it was a good valuable 90 minutes for everyone involved.

"We have shown when we play simple pass and move game we will score goals." He added: "There is no need to complicate things.

"All credit to Haverfordwest though, they kept going to the end so they kept at the task. But we were very disciplined and it was a satisfying all-round performance."

Haverfordwest...1
Swansea City...5

AFTER going a goal behind within five minutes, Swansea City gradually took command of what was a useful workout at the Bridge Meadow Stadium and underlined their credentials with a comprehensive win.

The margin of victory could and would have been greater, however, but for some goalkeeping heroics from the Bluebirds' Peter Blain and some profligate finishing by the Swans forwards.

The home side took a surprise lead early on as Carl Mainwaring linked with Chris Miller on the right before the latter sent over a pinpoint cross which striker Steve Mardenborough buried with a bullet header from point-blank range.

But that was as good as it got for Haverfordwest as the Swans assumed command of the first half, although their 10th-minute equaliser owed much to luck as Stuart Roberts's fierce low cross from the right was inadvertently turned into his own net by Jamie Gilderdale.

There was no luck about the Swans' second, though, Richard Appleby lofting a delightful ball over the home defence for Roberts to volley emphatically home from 12 yards on the quarter hour.

The Swans were well on top and extended their lead in the 24th minute when a lovely flowing move across field involving Leigh DeVulgt, Roberts, Craig Draper and Michael Howard was finished off clinically by the increasingly dangerous John Williams.

Blues keeper Blain did well to stick out a leg to deny Roberts shortly afterwards, but it only delayed the inevitable as Draper made it 4-1 just past the half hour, skipping through the flimsy Haverfordwest cover from outside the area to find the back of the net.

The home side fared better in the second half and Miller was unlucky not to reduce the deficit, but after Draper had failed to convert a penalty after Roberts had been upended by Blain — the keeper made a fine block —Williams scored his second and the Swans' fifth with a stylish individual effort.

With only a minute left Blain again performed heroically to keep out a point-blank Roberts header from Williams's cross, while at the other end Mardenborough spurned the chance of a consolation from close range.

The energetic displays by Appleby, Roberts and Draper in attack and especially Steve Healey at the heart of the defence alongside the redoubtable Matthew Bound were the most positive aspects of Swansea's performance, which will have set them up nicely for the start of the Nationwide League season on Saturday.

Meanwhile, a still depleted Haverfordwest travel to meet local rivals Milford United's Welsh League Division One side for the resurrected Jubilee Cup on Saturday.

The Swans first-team romped to a 5-1 victory in Tuesday night's pre-season friendly at Haverfordwest with John Williams on target twice.

City were 4-1 up by the break thanks to strikes by Williams, Stuart Roberts, Craig Draper and an own goal. Williams went on to score his second goal, and Swansea's fifth, in the second period while Draper failed to make the winning margin bigger with a missed spot-kick.

Meanwhile, a Swans reserve side, made up mainly of apprentice players, was beaten 7-1 at Pontypridd.

I'm committed to City - Roberts

Stuart Roberts insists he is fully committed to the side and ready to fight for a first-team place, despite being on a week-to-week deal.

The winger said: "As far as I'm concerned, I'm here for the season and money isn't the biggest issue. I'm not sulking about what happened and certainly haven't got any grudges. Football's too short a career for that."

Roberts went on a three-week trial to Rotherham after turning down a new Swans contract and last week he turned down a trial at Bournemouth, saying: "Swans are twice as big."

He said he would sign a longer contract at the Vetch Field if the offer was right and revealed that could still happen if new investors come in.

"A lot of people have had a go at me during the summer," he said. "I'm keen to prove a lot of them wrong." Picture: Roberts devoted to Swansea cause

Lewis - Swans just about broke even

Swans interim owner Mike Lewis has admitted that the club didn't make the profit they wanted from Sunday's Vetch friendly with Jamaica.

"When you include the bar takings we just about broke even, but I don't accept any fans boycott had a major effect - it was a nice day and there were other forms of entertainment available," he revealed.

He said that the club would never know if lower prices would have meant a bigger crowd, but said that those fans who had paid £20 all said they had enjoyed the game, and no-one complained.

He said that those who had not come had missed a treat, but added: "OK we missed the target on this occasion, but there are no long faces about it and it certainly doesn't mean we won't try something similar again soon."

SWANSEA City have rubbished claims made by Mark Aizlewood that the club's lack of success has caused local youngsters to lose interest in football.

The former Welsh international spoke out after a three-day course put on for Swansea youngsters by himself and Ian Rush had to be cancelled due to lack of interest.

Of 15 courses being held in Wales this month, only Swansea was not fully booked. In fact, just three youngsters signed up for the so-called Rushy and Aize tour.

"I don't know what the reason is, but maybe the lack of success at the city's football club has rubbed off on the youngsters and there may be a little bit of apathy," said Aizlewood.

But Swans football in the community officer Linden Jones suggested the flop says more about ex-Cardiff City defender Aizlewood's standing in the area than it does the club.

"I would ask him to take a look at himself," said Jones.

"There is no apathy among footballing youngsters in Swansea or the surrounding areas. Throughout the summer holidays we are running a series of coaching courses in and around the city, all of which are proving extremely popular, as they always do.

"By the time my the courses are completed my coaches will have looked after literally hundreds of children, which proves that his comments are unfounded.

"Over the week when his course was meant to take place, we had more than 50 youngsters taking part in a course at Olchfa School, so there wouldn't appear to be any apathy there."

This is not the first time Aizlewood, a BBC Wales football pundit, has ruffled a few feathers at Vetch Field.

He famously dismissed Giovanni Savarese's chances of reaching 10 goals by the end of the season when he arrived at Swansea last October. The Venezuelan scored 14.

He then blasted ‘free transfer foreigners' for being ‘unreliable' during BBC Wales's coverage of last season's FAW Premier Cup final between Swansea and Wrexham. Savarese had been sent off in the game for an alleged elbow.

SWANSEA City midfielder Damian Lacey is on the road to recovery after an operation on his troublesome left foot.

Lacey spent most of last season on the sidelines with the injury but has now gone under the surgeon's knife and is expected to be out for around six weeks.

The Bridgend product, 24 last week, has had an abnormal bone growth in his left heel which has restricted his movement.

Manager John Hollins is happy with the way the operation has gone and is glad to see the midfielder on the way back.

"The operation was a success," said Hollins. "He should be fit again in a month and a half ."

There was also better news on the other injured members of the squad as Hollins looked ahead to tonight's friendly at Haverfordwest and the start of the new season at Macclesfield on Saturday.

"Kristian O'Leary is fit again," said Hollins.

"Jason Smith and Ryan Casey are coming along nicely as well. We want to make sure Jason is absolutely right before making him play again.

"There is no point in bringing him back too soon and see him go off with another injury."

Swansea youngsters, goalkeeper Simon Cole and Ben Davies, are in the Wales under-19 squad for the friendly at Vetch Field tonight against the Faroe Islands (7).

Swansea's temporary chairman Mike Lewis has denied that Sunday's friendly clash with Jamaica's Reggae Boyz at The Vetch was a failure. Lewis had initially stated that a crowd of at least 5,000 was necessary to cover the cost guarantee given to the visitors but, in the event, only 2,500 saw the Jamaicans win 1-0.

Lewis said: "It would be wrong to call it a failure. I'm disappointed that more of the Swansea public didn't turn out to support the event, but there was a superb atmosphere and I'm sure everyone who did come had a great day."

Playing-wise manager John Hollins said: "We gave the ball away far too much but it was great experience to play against such a class international team.

"We kept our shape and had a few chances to score ourselves, though substitute keeper Jason Jones did have to make some great saves towards the end."

Boyd disappointed at Vetch inactivity

Former Vetch striker Walter Boyd was disappointed at not being able to play, having watched Sunday's friendly clash between Jamaica The Swans. "I'd really been looking forward to playing, but I had stitches in a head injury and couldn't make it," he explained.

"It would have been great as just sitting there and looking out onto the pitch brought back so many great memories. The Jamaican side is a young one, but they played really well."

He added that he'd particularly loved his first season at the Vetch, with the thrill of being part of a Division Three Championship winning side, but the second campaign had been a disappointing one, hampered by a number of injuries and the eventual relegation of The Swans.

Boyd added that he was currently based in Jamaica, assessing his options of where to play next season.

MANAGER John Hollins is banking on his Swansea City players learning from their 1-0 defeat by Jamaica at Vetch Field when they open their Third Division programme at Macclesfield on Saturday.

Yesterday the Reggae Boyz brought hundreds of horn-blowing, boogieing worshippers with them, making for a sizzling atmosphere in the Swansea sun.

Caribbean beats blasted out of specially installed speakers, with a leisurely 25-minute half-time interval epitomising the mood of the afternoon, the two sides loitering on the pitch waiting for the dancing to finish.

"I think our supporters are great, but the music and the buzz Jamaica bring is terrific. I wish we could have them with us every week," said Hollins.

"It was a brave decision to bring such quality opposition to the Vetch. I thought it was a very entertaining day and I enjoyed it."

But the Swansea boss was not so happy about parts of his team's performance with less than a week before the new Third Division season begins.

"I did not enjoy us giving the ball away time after time. That meant we had to chase the game for considerable periods and you can't do that against international sides.

"But we have learnt a great deal from this game. We did some good things but must learn our lesson."

Hollins's men were sunk by Bradford winger Jamie Lawrence's first-half header.

The Reggae Boyz, who thrilled going forward at times, could have won more comfortably but for Roger Freestone and substitute Jason Jones in the home goal. Swansea also created chances, hitting the woodwork twice and captain Nick Cusack seeing his header ruled out for offside.

"I don't think we did ourselves justice and of course we would have liked to get something out of the game," added Hollins.

"But I am satisfied with our pre-season build-up. We have one game left against Haverfordwest and then it's the big one at Macclesfield.

"We are sharp and fit and we are almost there."

Chairman Mike Lewis rued the attendance of 2,433, saying: "I'm disappointed the crowd was on the low side but it would be unfair to class the day as a failure.

"Everyone who turned out thoroughly enjoyed themselves. It has been a great day and it's a shame more Swansea fans didn't come to enjoy it."

qTerry Venables will travel to Athens for talks regarding the vacant Greek national team coach on Tuesday, according to reports in Greece.

The former England boss, now a television pundit, is one of five candidates under consideration for the post by the Greek FA.

The others are German Otto Rehhagel, who met with officials today, Italian Nevio Scala, who meets tomorrow, as well as Spaniard Javier Clemente and Italian Marco Tardelli.

Swans boss Mike Lewis has given the City Council four months to get their act together on the Morfa Stadium project or the club will drop out of the plans to play there.

So important is the proposed move to the outskirts of the city for Swansea City that Lewis has told the authority the stark reality of it all - either get Morfa built or big-time soccer in Swansea could die.

As the team prepare to host a bumper crowd today for their high-profile friendly with the Jamaican national side, chairman Lewis admits to being fed up with the waiting for news from the authority on when the planned scheme will start.

The wealth of support for the club has been typified by Swansea fans' enthusiasm to see a unique occasion today - a lower league club tackling a team that took part in the last World Cup.

Jamaica played Wales at Ninian Park in their warm-up towards the 1998 football showpiece and, on the country's Independence Day, Swansea are anticipating thousands of fans to turn up for this game.

That, believes Lewis, shows how ambitious the club is and how vital it is to get the Morfa project up and running.

But when that will be is anyone's guess, the chairman added, and time is now running out for action.

Lewis said: "They initially were talking about it being ready for 2001 or 2002 but now they are talking about it being two years away.

"It may be put back another year so, if by Christmas we don't see a really positive sign that this scheme is going ahead, we will have to start making applications to the Football Trust to see if the Vetch can be redeveloped or we can relocate.

"I have made the club's position clear to the council in saying that, without this stadium, we would have a difficult time protecting professional football in Swansea.

"The council have their own problems and we must appreciate it is their land and their prerogative to address it at their pace.

"As a football club, we are buoyant but the officers and councillors are punch-drunk from people complaining to them whenever they see them that nothing gets done in this city.

"Anything we can do as a club to help them, we will. We would love to get involved in this but the council is driving the ship. Really, we should be playing football in this stadium this season, and a lot of people's ambitions have been blown out of the way by this."

Lewis denied that the Vetch Field was falling apart but admitted that the repair jobs there now involve "putting patches on patches."

"We are a city club and I cannot think of many other city clubs that have not moved to a new stadium or are thinking of moving.

"By patches on patches, I would say that we would like, for instance, to allow the gents to come to a ground and have something more than a concrete wall to urinate against.

"We cannot close our eyes to any alternatives because there's no guarantee that this (Morfa) will be built. We are already putting business plans together for the Vetch and for relocation. We are haemorrhaging money. We are looking right down the barrel of the gun again.

"We can make the Vetch viable but that doesn't sent out any positive messages to people that we are heading for the Premiership."

The club are budgeting for at least 5,000 fans to turn up to today's match and more than that could watch if Caribbean supporters arrive in their droves.

The chairman said: "It's the X factor here because it's Independence weekend for Jamaica and we don't know how many people will say `Let's go down to Swansea'.

"The X factor is how many Caribbeans will be making their minds up on the morning of the match. We could get maybe three or four thousand of them.

"There has been tremendous interest around the city about this game. A lot of people will say `How did you pull it off' but it wasn't complicated.

"I was speaking to Nicholas Mazzina's agent and mentioned that the Jamaicans had not played many matches recently. I faxed them about a match and they replied straight away saying they would be delighted. It took about three minutes to do."

The Reggae Boyz flew into Heathrow on Friday and the Jamaican High Commissioner is also expected to attend.

Ticket prices have been increased for adults, but not for pensioners and other discretionary supporters. The reason for that, said Lewis, was the cost of flying the World Cup side to Britain.

"We had to put the prices up because it is not inexpensive to bring them over here, but I've had some of the boys on the Internet saying that I'm lining my own pockets with the ticket prices and massaging my own ego but I laugh at those rumours."

Swansea city chairman Mike Lewis has revealed he is trying to get Welsh actress Catherine Zeta Jones and singer Bonnie Tyler on board at the Vetch club.

The two female superstars, both from Swansea, are among the people Lewis is approaching to invest in the Swans.

Lewis revealed his ambitious plan this week as he steps up the hunt for investors in the club he has taken over from Neil McClure.

And although Swans fans will remain sceptical about the moves for the two superstars, Lewis remains optimistic of pulling off a coup.

Lewis has already made one approach to Hollywood actress Zeta-Jones, although it fell at the first hurdle.

"I asked Llanelli chairman Bobby Jones, Catherine's uncle, to find out if she would be interested," said Lewis.

"He thought it was inappropriate to approach her then because she was busy with other things.

"But that's not to say we will not approach her again in the future.

"You never know - when Catherine's son starts kicking a ball around, Michael might just think `Why not buy a football club' and I'm sure Catherine will think there is only one club she would want.

"It's difficult with celebrities in that we have a football club here, but there must be 9,000 charities around that they could get involved in."

JAMAICA arrive at the Vetch Field today with Swansea No.2 Alan Curtis warning: Our season starts here.

The Swans' summer has been turbulent, with an exodus of players coinciding with disappointing warm-up results against Carmarthen, Newport and Tiverton.

But Curtis believes the Reggae Boys offer a good test before the league curtain-raiser at Macclesfield on Saturday.

He said: "It all starts from here. I'm optimistic, the lads have kept themselves super-fit through the summer break. The new boys are fitting in well and there is a good spirit in the camp."

Boyd misses match against Swans
Jamaican striker Walter Boyd will not be renewing his acquaintance with Swansea City when the Reggae Boyz arrive at the Vetch Field on Sunday, 5 August (4.00pm).

Boyd was injured in the match between Jamaica and St Kitts/Nevis earlier this week and did not make the trip to Wales.

But there will be a host of players used to British conditions including Fitzroy Simpson, Ian Goodison, Theodore Whitmore and Barry Hayles.

Swans manager John Hollins knows it will be tough for his side.

"They have assembled their strongest squad to face us and then play Brazil in Rio four days later to prepare for forthcoming World Cup-ties," he said.

"Obviously it will be good to win against Jamaica, but the most important thing is that we go up to Macclesfield on the opening day of the new season and get that win."

Hollins has been happy with the way Swansea have played in their pre-season friendlies so far, culminating in a 2-0 win at Port Talbot on Thursday.

"We've played a certain way in pre-season games, mainly because we won't have Mathew Bound, who is suspended for the first four games," he said.

"I've tried to juggle with different systems."

Hollins will be looking to new Vetch favourite Mamady Sidibe to continue his crowd-pleasing form.

"Mamady did some very good things in the 1-1 draw against Bury," said Hollins.

"The fans have taken to him straight away which will give him a big lift.

"He's a game, ambitious young man with good ground skills for someone so big But he needs to show a bit more subtlety in front of goal."

Swansea will be without Jason Smith, Damien Lacey and Ryan Casey, but are expected to welcome back Richie Appleby from injury.