MAMADY SIDIBE'S hunger for goals could give Swansea City their first win over Queens Park Rangers in 36 years when the two sides clash in the FA Cup tomorrow.

The giant French striker scored twice in Swansea's 2-1 win at Torquay last Saturday, and is hoping for a repeat performance against Rangers at the Vetch.

Sky Sports is screening the first-round tie live, and the man who signed Sidibe - former Rangers player John Hollins - will make his first appearance at the ground since being sacked as Swansea manager in September in a pundit's role.

Since Hollins captured the 21-year-old from French club CA Paris in the close season, Sidibe has netted four goals for the Swans but missed a number of games through injury.

He tormented the Torquay defenders seven days ago and hopes to continue in a similar vein tomorrow - and perhaps fire Swansea to their first victory over Rangers since October 1965.

"It was frustrating to be out injured for a month with two different injuries because I just wanted to be playing," said Sidibe.

"The first time wasn't too bad, but I was very upset when I got injured again against Brighton (LDV Vans Trophy).

"But I've recovered from those injuries now and I'm looking forward to scoring a lot of goals for the team.

"The Rangers game will be special because it's the FA Cup. I'll be playing in the competition for the first time, and I realise how special it is.

"I've played in the French Cup, which is similar. But we don't want to put too much pressure on ourselves - we just want to play well and aim to win."

Though Rangers have been inconsistent in Division Two this season - the club is up for sale and manager Ian Holloway has had no money to bring in new players - Swansea will still enter the tie as underdogs hoping to cause a cup upset.

Sidibe believes success in this year's competition could turn out to be a welcome distraction from the Vetch Field side's battle to stay in the Third Division.

"When I signed for Swansea my ambition was to help get the club into the Second Division, but I accept that has changed and the target is now to stay in the Third Division," said the African-born striker.

"I'm going to enjoy the QPR game, and it would be great for the club if we can get a good result."

While Sidibe makes his bow in the competition, Swansea manager Colin Addison has many fond memories of playing and managing in the FA Cup - with one particular fixture standing out.

"I'll always remember when I was player-manager at Hereford United 30 years ago," he said.

"We drew 2-2 with Newcastle United in front of 40,000 people at St James' Park.

"And, of course, everyone knows about the replay at Edgar Street where we won 2-1 and Ronnie Rad-ford scored his great 30-yard goal. That sticks in my mind and will never leave me."

Addison also admits this game gives him and his players the chance to take their minds off Swansea's league struggle.

"It's not a day off as such, but there aren't the pressures of a league game," he said.

"Queens Park Rangers have got some good players, but at the moment they're a little inconsistent, like ourselves, and I feel the game is there to be won."

New signing Steve Brodie is not eligible to play, having missed last Friday's deadline, and will probably make his debut in the league match at York City on Tuesday.

Neil Sharp is cup-tied having played for Merthyr Tydfil in the competition, while Reading have refused permission for on-loan striker Nathan Tyson to play against a Rangers side likely to include former Wrexham striker Karl Connolly.

Addison will also be without winger Ryan Casey, who could face another lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a hairline fracture of the skull following a clash of heads with Terry Evans in training.

"We're going to try to win the game, which I'm sure will be a cracking tie for our supporters," said Addison.

"A win would certainly help boost morale and with the small matter of £100,000 from Sky Sports for showing the game live on television it is very important for the bank balance."

MEL NURSE was last night told that he would have to produce a proper business plan to take control of Swansea City from Tony Petty.

But former Swans director Nurse, a former Vetch Field favourite, said that his bid to mount a financial package to rescue the ailing Third Division club had already lined up investment worth £400,000.

However, Swansea's future is still undecided - after another court postponement - and Nurse's plan to force the "hopelessly insolvent" club into administration has been put on hold.

A High Court judge yesterday granted a further adjournment for Nurse to produce a proper business plan and gain the approval of the Football League.

But Mr Justice Thomas imposed a strict deadline of 6pm on Monday for the fresh evidence to be introduced.

The Swansea County Court hearing will then resume next Friday, which could see the removal of controversial Australian-based owner and chairman Petty by the time the Swans host Hartlepool later the same day.

Whatever the outcome of the administration petition it will be all the more interesting because Petty - who acquired the club for only £1 in October - is likely to return from a business trip to Australia in time to attend.

Nurse, a successful Swansea hotelier and businessman since his playing career ended, said, "The adjournment will give us more time to get additional investment. We have already lined up £400,000 in just 36 hours."

He admitted, though, that he was over-whelmed with the "fantastic" support he has had for his bid to save the club.

His solicitor Tim Jones said securing the future of Swansea City FC was Nurse's prime motive.

"The judge has indicated that the information already provided has convinced him that perhaps there is a way forward for the club," he said.

"But he wants further information, including a business plan for the company, and Mr Nurse will supply that."

Earlier, in a preliminary judgment, the judge referred to the way Petty had cut overheads and operational costs by placing some players on the transfer list and reducing the wages of others as well as making two of the coaches redundant.

But the judge noted, "Although he has made these substantial cuts, there is nothing to disclose that he has been able to inject anything in the way of funds into the club.

"Prior to his resignation (as a director) it is clear that Mr Nurse had serious concerns about the way Mr Petty was running the club.

"And in circumstances which are not clear he had discussions with previous owners Ninth Floor about the loan outstanding amounting to £801,000.

"The better course will be to allow Mr Nurse to introduce further evidence within a limited period to hear further arguments and then deliver a judgment."

Meanwhile, Swansea have landed Scarborough striker Steve Brodie, 28, at the third attempt. Brodie has joined on a free transfer that keeps him at the club until the end of the season.

JOHN Hollins will be back at the Vetch on Sunday for the first time since he was sacked as Swansea City manager in September, writes Ian Hunt.

The Swans' FA Cup first-round clash against QPR is live on Sky Sports and Hollins - a former player and manager at Loftus Road - has been lined up as a pundit.

His appearance at the Vetch will be intriguing to say the least, as Swansea are yet to reach a financial agreement with Hollins after he was sacked from his £115,000-a-year post by former Swans chairman Mike Lewis on September 12.

The cash-starved club owes the former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder around £200,000 and The Western Mail understands that he has been offered £40,000, which is only 20pc of that sum.

Hollins, who is the club's second biggest creditor after former Swansea City director Mel Nurse, has turned down the offer.

When he was shown the door, Hollins still had 23 months of his contract left to run after signing a three-year deal in June 2000, shortly after his Swansea side clinched the Third Division championship.

He has been linked with several managerial posts since leaving the Vetch Field - including Brighton, Southend and Exeter - but is still out of work.

FORMER Swansea City director Mel Nurse has got until Monday to come up with a full business plan to run the debt plagued club.

A group of local businessmen headed by Mr Nurse wants to take control from Australia-based Tony Petty.

Mr Nurse is demanding immediate payment of an £800,000 debt to force the club into administration.

This would allow Mr Nurse and his associates to put chartered accountant and insolvency expert Gary Stone, who also has a Swans season ticket, in charge of the daily running of the club.

The judge yesterday held court on a video conferencing link at Swansea University to keep down travelling costs as the club's case is being put forward by a legal team in a studio in Bristol.

Mr Justice Thomas had originally said he would not hear any more evidence but changed his mind after new submissions from the consortium concerning their proposals for running the club.

In a resume of events Mr Justice Thomas said that on the basis of the information given to him last Tuesday there was "a lack of any firm proposals, and it would have been doomed to failure on these grounds."

He said Mr Nurse's group had gone part of the way to satisfy his request for a business. But he also needed to take into account the position of the Football League, and that of the players.

He noted: "Mr Petty has not contributed himself to the club or given any sign of doing so."

No evidence was given in open court about the new proposals made by the consortium, but the judge gave the warring sides a timetable leading up to next Friday.

The consortium must now meet a Monday evening deadline to present all their proposals, and the club will then have until Wednesday night to respond.

After legal discussions between the two sides Mr Justice Thomas will give his decision on Friday.

Mr Nurse has been ordered to pay the costs of the original hearing.

COLIN Addison has ended the Steve Brodie saga by snapping up the ex-Sunderland man on a free transfer.

Brodie signed from Nationwide Conference side Scarborough yesterday to end the on-off saga which has gone on for more than a month.

The 28-year-old striker completed a medical at Vetch Field before completing the deal that keeps him at the club until the end of the season.

Addison has tried on two previous occasions to get his man but failed because of registration problems.

Brodie, who played for the Swansea manager when he was in charge at Scarborough, was happy that the deal was finally completed.

"I've spoken to Colin regularly, and it was obvious that he wanted to get the deal sorted," he said.

"It's just been the case that there were issues to be sorted out at Scarborough."

Brodie has a decent strike record with 56 goals in 208 appearances. He was Scarborough's top scorer last season and can operate in midfield or up front.

"I am a 100 per-center," he said. "I'll be hoping to create goals for the side, as well as scoring them.

"My strike rate is one in four, and I've been top scorer over the last few seasons at Scarborough.

"I enjoyed my time working with Colin at Scarborough. It wasn't the best of times for the club. It was a real battle and we certainly gave it a good go and almost survived.

"If we had done, it would have been solely down to him.

"It's nice that Colin remembers me, and still thinks I can do a job for him. I played against him twice last season when he was at Yeovil, and he tried to sign me then."

Despite Swansea's current off-field dramas, Brodie has no worries about coming to the Vetch.

"Scarborough are in a pretty dire position themselves at present," he said. "They are in serious financial difficulty and are stuck at the foot of the Conference,.

"Colin has explained the situation here to me, and I've got no qualms about signing.

"Swansea City is a big club with great support and I can't imagine that they would ever be allowed to reach the state that Scarborough are in."

Brodie is not available for Sunday's FA Cup first-round tie with QPR as the deadline for registration was last weekend.

EVENING Post soccer writer Gareth Vincent casts an eye back on this week's county court proceedings involving the Swans

FIFA, football's world governing body, is unlikely to scrap the penalty shoot-out in favour of eight-day extra-time periods before next summer's World Cup.

Forgetting the impossible logistics of such a move, the all-important entertainment levels would be low, even for football's keenest fans.

The referee in Swansea City's latest contest, Mr Justice Thomas, has, though, chosen such a lengthy spell of added time to find a winner.

And even after what will be 10 days of competition, a thrilling finish is guaranteed.

Despite the duration of this case — already the ball's been in play seven and a half hours — the battle for control of the crisis club has been edge-of-the-seat stuff.

The anticipation after Mel Nurse set up the tie with the £100,000 transfer of Ninth Floor's debt was immense.

Would Nurse, the home favourite, come through to topple the unpopular visitor, Aussie-based chairman Tony Petty?

Petty, of course, was back on home territory because of international commitments, leaving sidekick John Shuttleworth and former Vetch boss Mike Lewis to see him through at Swansea County Court.

Nurse appeared first in Court No. 2, acknowledging the few adoring supporters who could squeeze in as he took his seat.

Even if he was looking a little nervous, the former Welsh international centre-half cut an impressive figure.

He slotted in alongside London-based barrister Timothy Evans, with members of his legal team on either flank and fellow ex-Swans director Martin Burgess bringing up the rear.

Enter former boardroom colleagues-turned-opponents Lewis and Shuttleworth and the stage was set.

Even if Lewis, who felt the wrath of some Swans fans in the build-up to this meeting, was only able to find somewhere to sit at the very back — among the club's supporters.

Mr Justice Thomas gave the go ahead, and so began a day of attack and counter attack in which both sides appeared to go ahead, only to be pegged back shortly afterwards.

The club's big names were quiet: Shuttleworth remained motionless and seemingly emotionless throughout, while Lewis was a peripheral figure.

The petitioners were much more lively, with Nurse part of many team talks and Burgess popping up with advice.

There were lulls as the clock ticked on, but the judge predicted a result on the day so expectancy levels did not wane.

Which way it would go was impossible to predict, so perhaps a first period of added time should have been foreseen.

After a number of stoppages, neither side could deliver the decisive score and Swansea University yesterday afternoon was set to bring the end.

A video-link to the club's Bristol camp added to the intrigue and the tension, especially as teething problems with the technology meant kick-off was delayed.

Both sides' efforts in normal time came under fire, but Nurse's men seemed to edge ahead after proving their attacking prowess during the break in play.

Still the final whistle did not come, and with Petty set for an appearance in the closing stages a week today, there could be a few more twists in this contest.

Whatever, expect quite a finale next Friday.

FORMER Swansea City star Jeremy Charles is backing his hometown club to beat the side he was sold to back in November 1983.

Then, as now, the Vetch Field club was in crisis and in the middle of boardroom battles over the control of the club.

Charles remembers it well, although there was a lot going on at the club at the time.

He was sold to Queens Park Rangers for £100,000 after being linked to Leeds United and Portsmouth.

And he left around the same time as other Vetch legends Alan Curtis and Robbie James as the club struggled to survive.

It was just after the glory days under John Toshack and Charles remembers those times as well as the bad.

"I enjoyed all my career at Swansea," said Charles, who played 247 times, scoring 53 goals before leaving the Vetch.

"I was with the Swans for seven years after starting as a 16-year-old. They were all happy times."

The Swans did not have many happy FA Cup runs and Charles remembers one beating at the hands of Middlesbrough.

"I think they stuffed us 5-0," he said.

"We never really had an FA Cup run. We were remembered more for beating Tottenham in the League Cup.

"It was the same at QPR. Terry Venables was the manager when I signed and I had great times there too but not in the Cup as I remember.

"They are both similar clubs in a way. Although QPR is a London club, it is small and everyone was friendly."

Looking ahead to Sunday's tie, Charles is firmly behind Swansea, backing his first club to topple QPR at the Vetch.

He keeps in touch with his friends in Swansea and dad Mel, a regular down the Vetch.

And although the Swans have not had the best of starts in the league, he still reckons Swansea have a chance of causing something of an upset.

"I have only watched them once this season," he said.

"But I know they have not done that well in the league so far.

"However, they had a good win at Torquay on Saturday and they might just be turning things around.

"It's a one-off game so there is no reason why they can't get a result. They have had a lot of troubles off the field in the past few weeks so it would be great if they can get through this round.

"Maybe they could get another big-name club in the second round.

"Even if they don't, the most important thing is to get through — and I definitely think they can."

SWANSEA City manager Colin Addison says the three-day stay at the Vale of Glamorgan Hotel was just what his players needed.

The squad have spent the past three days at the exclusive hotel training hard and relaxing ahead of Sunday's FA Cup first-round clash with Queen's Park Rangers.

Although Addison insisted that the time away was not because of the goings-on off the field at the club, he felt the players had deserved it.

"We didn't go to the Vale of Glamorgan because of the court case," he said. "It was just to give the players some time together to build up more team spirit and morale.

"I'm not saying the morale has been low but it has been a tough few weeks for everyone."

During their time at the hotel the players trained hard, but they also spent some time relaxing including a couple of rounds of golf.

Addison added: "It was nice to get all the players together. It has given the new boys Stephen Evans, Neil Sharp and Terry Evans the chance to get to know the rest of the boys that bit better.

"They have all worked hard in training but they have also enjoyed themselves. It can only help us especially in a big week like this.

"This was decided some time ago with Tony Petty and John Shuttleworth and they agreed it would be good but we have not had the time before now."

The time away has also given Addison the chance to reassess the injury situation. Lee Jenkins and Michael Howard are still a little way off fitness but Kristian O'Leary did train and may still be in contention for a place on Sunday.

Addison is still hopeful that a deal maybe possible to get Steve Brodie from Scarborugh to Vetch Field.

Striker Brodie's move was scuppered last week because of registration problems.

FOSCFA still have places avilable for the match at York on Tuesday night.

The price for the trip will be £25 and tickets will avaiable from Ugo Vallerio on (01792) 413423, 07876-133428 or from the club shop.

The Vetch Field battle heads for court once more

The battle to win control of Swansea City Football Club is to return to the County Court with a package of more than £400,000 promised by local businessmen. The court action is being taken by former Welsh international Mel Nurse against the present controversial Swans owner, Tony Petty.

Fans are angry at new owner Tony Petty

The club's major creditor, he has applied for an administration order over the club.

The hearing was adjourned earlier in the week with the judge asking for evidence of financial backing to keep the Swans in business.

Petty has been the target of protest marches and Vetch Field demonstrations after buying the financially strapped club for £1.

He then told leading players they would have to go or take drastic pay cuts.

This has angered supporters who invaded the pitch after a game earlier this month in protest at the direction Petty was taking the club.

Nurse has said he is worried the Swans could drop out of the Football League and he is pressing for the appointment of an administrator after buying an £801,000 debt owed by the Swans.

Supporters abroad are among those who are believed to have given pledges of financial backing - the details of which will be presented in court.

Nurse said on Wednesday night that he thinks the money raised in just 36 hours shows how concerned local people are - and more money is coming in.

THE future of troubled Swansea City Football Club was hanging in the balance today after a judge demanded written proof a consortium has the financial clout to run the club.

The group led by former player and director Mel Nurse has until Friday to give written evidence to Mr Justice Thomas before he decides whether to place the club into administration.

Mr Nurse and a group of local businessmen are seeking to take control from Australian-based chairman Tony Petty.

At one stage in a day of almost seven hours of legal arguments the judge commented: "The club is hopelessly insolvent.

"I would have no difficulty winding it up if I was asked to."

Lease
Mr Justice Thomas was told Mr Petty valued the ground and the remainder of its lease at around £1million and that new manager Colin Addison estimated the value of the first team squad at £1.5million.

Mr Nurse, who resigned as a director, bought a debt of £801,000 from Mr Mike Lewis, former chief executive, who was handed control of the club by previous owners 9th Floor.

Mr Timothy Evans, counsel for Mr Nurse, said the debt was repayable on demand, but added: "The agreement was made on the understanding that Mr Nurse would gain control of the club."

It was revealed for the first time that an offer of free shares to season ticket holders included a request for a donation of £250 from each member.

Mr Evans noted: "It is pretty obvious that he (Mr Petty) is not preparing to put in any money himself."

He said Mr Nurse would do what he could to promote the the club, adding: "The current management has not done anything, nor is it persuading anybody else to inject money into this club."

The proposal of Mr Nurse and his associates was to put the club into administration until May 4 — the end of the current football season.

Season ticket holder Gary Stones, a chartered accountant and an expert in insolvency, would take over the running of the club from Mr Petty's business associate John Shuttleworth.

Mr Nurse had paid £100,000 to purchase the debt.

"He has no confidence in Mr Petty. He overpaid for his own reasons. There was no conflict as a director or self- interest. The steps he has taken are in the best interests of the company," said Mr Evans.

He added: "Any supporter concerned about the management, and there are many of them, would be entitled to do the same."

No plans
Mr Steven Davies QC, for the club, said Mr Nurse had no plans made for the trading existence of the company.

Money from a cup tie with Queen's Park Rangers to be televised by Sky would finance the running of the club to the end of the season.

"No administrator worth his salt would take it on without having ways he is going to run it. To survive it must trade as a football club."

He said: "My client has been cast as the villain of the piece."

Mr Justice Thomas said: "Common sense says there are no assets of any value. I can't see where the cash comes from at the end of the day to pay the debts. It is hopelessly insolvent."

The judge said he wanted to see business proposals and the names of backers in writing from Mr Nurse.

To save on costs a video link hearing will be set up in Swansea tomorrow or Friday to save on legal teams' travelling costs before Mr Justice Thomas reaches a decision.

SWANSEA CITY defender Jason Smith believes his former club Tiverton Town can cause the upset of the day by beating Cardiff City in the first round of the FA Cup at Ninian Park.

Tiverton, who play in the Dr Martens League Premier Division, were forced to switch the tie from their 3,500-capacity Ladysmead home to Ninian Park for safety reasons.

But Smith, who left the non-league Devon club in the summer of 1998 to join the Swans, last night warned Bluebirds manager Alan Cork and his players that "Tivvy" will not be over-awed by their cup visit to the Welsh capital.

"They won't be afraid of Cardiff. Tiverton have played in big games before and they've been to Wembley three times in the FA Vase," said centre-back Smith.

"They're a well-drilled side and I'm sure they will give a good account of themselves. The players won't be in awe of Ninian Park - once you've played at Wembley no other ground can faze you.

"Tiverton are a footballing side. They like to get the ball down and play. They're not long-ball merchants.

"I'm sure they will go out and express themselves against Cardiff. They won't sit back and defend.

"They will go to Ninian Park to play football and I'm sure they will enjoy playing on the excellent pitch there.

"Tiverton are solid and well-organised. They are strong in all areas while the players will, individually, be looking to make a name for them-selves."

Smith's last game for "Tivvy" was the FA Vase final triumph over Tow Law Town at Wembley in May, 1998.

Not long after that Cork, then manager at the Vetch, paid £10,000 for his services because he felt he would be a "good investment."

But the man who took Smith to Devon, Martyn Rogers, is still in charge at Ladysmead.

Rogers has taken "Tivvy" from the Western League to the Dr Martens League Premier Division and has led them to the Twin Towers on three occasions.

"A lot of the lads who played at Wembley are still at Tiverton. Only half the team has changed since I left three years ago and the players who went to Wembley will be very relaxed about playing at Ninian Park," added Smith.

"Martyn is still there and he's done fantastically well at the club. He has signed very few bad players and he has installed a great team spirit in the dressing room.

"That's one of his best qualities - he's a great motivator. He will get the players going. His record speaks for itself. Very few managers have had more success at that level.

"There are going to be one or two upsets in the first round, and I don't see any reason why Tiverton can't cause one of them.

"Swansea beat West Ham in my first season at the Vetch and no one thought that was possible because they were three divisions above us.

"Cardiff are a multi-million pound side now, but in the FA Cup that counts for nothing. You never know what could happen.

"If both sides play well, then Cardiff will win. But if Cardiff have an off-day and Tiverton play out of their skins, then Tiverton will win.

"Moving the game to Ninian Park might actually work in Tiverton's favour. It could help them to raise their game.

"I hope Tiverton win. If they do, it will be a great result for them. Their result is the first I'll be looking for on Saturday afternoon.

THE future of Swansea City Football Club will hang in the balance at least for another 24 hours.

Hotelier Mel Nurse, a former Swansea director and player, won't know until later this week whether he has succeeded in his bid to wrest control of the club from controversial chairman Tony Petty.

Nurse wants to force the club into administration in order to bring in new local investors to secure the Football League future of the ailing Third Division outfit who are only four points off the league's bottom spot.

He has paid £100,000 to take over the £801,000 debt that the Swans owe to former owners Ninth Floor - with an agreement to pay a further £100,000 if he does win control.

But at Swansea County Court yesterday Judge John Thomas said he wanted further evidence of the financial support for Nurse.

This will be presented at an adjourned hearing either tomorrow or on Friday.

Nurse's counsel Timothy Evans said a number of prominent local people had intimated their financial backing for the former Welsh international half-back.

He said, "I am not allowed to indicate who they are. In those circumstances, however, the sensible course would be to adjourn the administration petition for a short period during which a financial report will be prepared.

"We will still not reveal the names but will reveal the pledges given."

Evans said this would enable the court to see how much money would be coming into the club in the event of an administration order being granted.

He said earlier that the petition had been presented because Nurse "wished to save the company by the introduction of new money from local sources which will almost inevitably involve a change of management."

"The reason for that is a loss of confidence in the present management," he said.

"As far as we know, all Mr Petty has done is to buy the club for £1.

"Mr Nurse's investment on the other hand is coming up to £1m so it is right that he should be able to influence how the company is managed."

The Swans' £801,000 debt to Ninth Floor was assigned to Nurse on November 9 as a result of which the former director asked for proposals for repayment the following day.

The judge was told that the club was "plainly insolvent on Mr Petty's own evidence," although the wage bill had been reduced by £40,000 to £140,000 a month. But it would still cost £1.7m to run the club to the end of the season.

Evans said 12 high-contract play-ers were put on the transfer list for free, even though the present chairman claimed the playing squad was valued at £1.5m.

"This club is hopelessly insolvent and there are no current plans for refinancing it," said Evans.

"But there needs to be a cash investment jolly quickly."

Steven Davies, QC, for the club, accused Nurse of "secret negotiations" while he was still a Swansea director.

"That is flatly in conflict with his duties as a director because he was trying personally to gain control of the company without the knowledge of the board," he said.

"This is not a case of the opportunity falling into his lap. He goes out and negotiates with a creditor with a view to gaining control of the company.

"It is a deliberate breach of company security behind the board's back.

"If we had discovered what was going on we would have obtained an injunction to stop him from doing so.

"His purpose was to acquire control - in a hostile way - of this company's business. By definition, he has only got the debt to gain control.

"And he should have told the court precisely the circumstances he obtained the debt."

Counsel for Nurse denied any conflict of interest and submitted that the only person who would be affected by an administration order would be London-born Petty who is currently on business in Australia. colin.hughes@wme.co.uk

SWANSEA City centre-back Kristian O'Leary is facing a race against time to be fit for Sunday's FA Cup tie with Queens Park Rangers.

The Port Talbot-born 24-year-old is hoping to shake off a troublesome hamstring injury in time for the first-round clash, which will be screened live on Sky.

O'Leary was due to return from a two-match ban at Torquay last weekend but failed to recover from the problem aggravated in his last appearance, the home win over Darlington on October 23.

Swansea manager Colin Addison is hopeful O'Leary will be back to strengthen his hand against QPR.

Also in with an outside chance of facing the Second Division side is wing-back Michael Howard.

The left-sided defender suffered a badly bruised thigh in the goalless draw with Rushden & Diamonds at Vetch Field 10 days ago.

Fellow wing-back Lee Jenkins, however, is still a few weeks away from a return after damaging knee ligaments, while Leigh De-Vulgt will discover the extent of his foot injury tomorrow.

The fit members of Swansea's squad were training at the Vale of Glamorgan Hotel today, where they are enjoying a three-day break.

With all eyes in the city on today's administration hearing at the county court, Addison thought it wise to whisk his players away.

"It's just something to give the players a reward for Saturday and also to prepare for the cup," he said.

"By getting them all together and being able to work with them around the clock, we can ensure they don't get distracted by what goes on at the club.

"It will be valuable time together. The facilities are second to none, both for training and leisure.

"It is very important that the players can spend time together and get to know each other better.

"We won't be acting like headmasters ensuring they are on their best behaviour.

"We will be allowing them to enjoy themselves, and we are planning to go for a meal together so they can let their hair down a little before the big game."

Having met up at the hotel yesterday, the players will return home on Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, John Hollins will return to Vetch Field on Sunday for the first time since he was sacked back on September 12.

The former Swansea manager will be part of Sky's commentary team.

THE Swansea City Supporters' Trust has spread the word Down Under of their concerns about Aussie-based businessman Tony Petty.

In a lengthy letter to Brisbane's Lord Mayor, the trust has spelt out why it wants Swansea's controversial chairman to have nothing more to do with the club.

The letter has also gone to Brisbane Lions — the Australian club involved with Petty — the Queensland Soccer Federation of which he is president and the local newspaper, the Brisbane Courier.

The letter says: "Extraordinary events in our city prompt us to write to you and to the people of Brisbane.

"We wish to make it clear to you that our argument is solely with Mr Petty, not with the Brisbane Lions and certainly not with the people of Brisbane.

"It is fair to say that our football club has not enjoyed much success in recent years with many false dawns promising a return to the good old days. None materialised and for the past year the club has been up for sale.

"Enter Mr Petty. Is this the saviour who will take our club back to past glories? No.

"We want Mr Petty to go and go quickly and leave the people and businesses of Swansea to tend to the needs of our club."

Londoner Petty last week travelled back to Queensland, his home for the last three years.

"He will ask the Brisbane Lions to back him in his venture at Swansea," continues the letter.

"Our message to them is simple. We would be delighted to explore sporting links with Brisbane but please leave us to sort out the ownership of our club.

"We set a high value on this important piece of our sporting tradition. We do not believe it is safe in the hands of Mr Petty and will not rest until it is out of his clutches."

SWANSEA City manager Colin Addison yesterday dismissed as "rub-bish" speculation linking Jason Smith with a £255,000 move to Reading.

Addison said he was disappointed about rumours suggesting the 27-year-old defender was planning a move to the Madejski Stadium only a week after he was taken off the transfer list at Swansea.

"The fact of the matter is that it is just rubbish, rumour, and there is no truth in it whatsoever," he told the club's official website.

"I find it very disappointing, as these type of stories can prove to be very unsettling for all concerned."

Addison also denied on-loan Reading striker Nathan Tyson had made his spell at the Vetch permanent.

"I have not spoken to Alan Pardew (Reading manager) in the two weeks since we extended Nathan's loan spell, so quite where these stories are coming from I couldn't tell you."

Smith, whose former club Tiverton Town face Cardiff City in the FA Cup first round at Ninian Park on Saturday, was one of the seven players "sacked" by Swans chairman Tony Petty last month.

The businessman wanted to move Smith on to help cut the wage bill but had a change of heart and last week took the defender off the transfer list along with 'keeper Roger Freestone.

With the power struggle between Petty and former Swans director Mel Nurse returning to Swansea County Court today, Addison has taken the squad on a three-day break to the Vale of Glamorgan Hotel to escape the offthe-field distractions and prepare for Sunday's FA Cup clash with QPR.

"It's just something to give the players a reward for Saturday (the 2-1 win at Torquay) and to prepare for next weekend's cup tie, also to ensure they don't get distracted by what goes on around the club," said Addison.

SWANSEA City manager Colin Addison believes the worst is behind his struggling side after their morale-boosting victory at Torquay.

The visitors recovered from another a stagnant first-half showing at Plainmoor to take all three points thanks to Mamady Sidibe's double strike.

The 2-1 success lifted Swansea away from the Conference trap door — to 18th place — and Addison reckons it will be the trigger for an improvement in the club's on-field fortunes.

"It was a tough examination for us in the second half and we showed great commitment," he said.

"The attitude of the players was first class. That has never been in doubt even though we have seen one or two poor performances recently such as Southend and Luton.

"I don't think now you will see that type of performance again, I hope not anyway.

"You might see us lose, but I think you will see us playing with more commitment, desire and drive."

In front of 500 travelling fans, Swansea showed the urgency required in the second period on Saturday.

They could have been out of the contest at the interval after Torquay's first-half bombardment. But having kept the deficit down to one, they battled back for a remarkable win.

"We've had a hard time over the last couple of months and we haven't had the rub of the green or the best of luck," added Addison.

"But it came good against Torquay and I thought we thoroughly deserved the victory.

"We weren't losing sleep over it but we needed a win and it was nice to get one.

"It was a very important day for us all. It's a major boost for Swansea City and I'm delighted for everybody."

Addison surprisingly substituted Jason Smith, but the club today rejected suggestions that the big central defender is on his way to Reading.

Smith had been linked with a £225,000- plus-Nathan Tyson switch to the Madejski Stadium.

"These rumours are absolute rubbish," said chief executive John Shuttleworth.

"There has been no contact between the clubs and the first Colin Addison heard about it was when I told him about the rumours this morning."

Addison may try for a third time to lure Scarborough striker Steve Brodie to the Vetch this week after the deal collapsed on Friday.

Swansea are prepared to pay a small fee for the former Sunderland man, though there is no rush to complete the signing because the FA Cup registration deadline has now passed.

Meanwhile, midfielder Andrew Mumford this weekend joined Merthyr on a month's loan.

Torquay United.......................1
Swansea City...........................2

TORQUAY: Dearden, Hockley, Williamson, Woods, Russell, Rees, Graham (E. Williams 76), Hill, Richardson, Brown (Roach 73), Canoville (Brandon 69). Subs not used: Northmore, Tully

SWANSEA: Freestone, T. Evans, Sharp, Bound, Smith (J. Williams 62), S. Evans, Coates, Cusack, Phillips (Lacey 46), Sidibe, Tyson. Subs not used: Jones, Todd, Casey

BOOKINGS: Sharp (foul), Sidibe (ungentlemanly conduct), Russell (foul).
REFEREE: Paul Armstrong (Berkshire).
ATTENDANCE: 2,276.
STAR CHOICE: Stephen Evans.

THERE are defining moments in a season when a manager and a team can look back and say: "That was the turning point".

Swansea City manager Colin Addison and assistant Peter Nicholas might just do that about this sweet victory at Plainmoor.

With their team 1-0 down and looking another crucial defeat in the face, the pair decided to take off dependable defender Jason Smith and replace him with John Williams.

There were one or two raised eyebrows, including mine, but it turned out to be exactly the right decision and they have to be commended for that.

Both knew that if the change had gone wrong it could have spelt disaster and condemned Swansea to another demoralising defeat that would have left Addison and Nicholas with egg on their faces.

But it worked, and three minutes later Swansea were level hanks to Mamady Sidibe's precision header and the game had turned on its head.

Call it luck, call it skill. Whatever, it took bottle and there is no doubt these two are prepared to take a risk or two to get their side moving up the table.

And thanks to Sidibe's second goal with eight minutes left, another super finish following a decent move, that's what Swansea did.

The second-half performance was as good as the first was poor. And Addison knows that the game could have been over before the break but for some poor finishing and a slice of good fortune.

"I thought we had a little bit to do at half-time," he said.

"They definitely shaded it and I was a little bit disappointed with the goal we conceded. The marking was very poor.

"But I thought we passed with flying colours in the second half. That's for sure."

If Addison watched Soccer Sunday on the television yesterday he would have seen just how much Torquay shaded the first half.

In the early stages Swansea were just not at the races and there were reminders of the Luton debacle.

New loan signing David Brown was the first to break clear of Swansea's new-look back five, which included the three new signings of Stephen Evans, Terry Evans and Neil Sharp.

Brown raced on to Marcus Richardson's through ball after only eight minutes but he was denied by Roger Freestone.

It was a top save but the Welsh international was only able to push the ball into the path of ex-Rangers man David Graham, who blasted the follow-up on to the bar much to Freestone's relief.

Swansea were at sixes and sevens and Richardson took advantage two minutes later when he rose unmarked to head home skipper Jason Rees's cross.

Freestone got a hand on to it but was unable to keep the ball out.

It was not looking good for Addison and Co at this stage and the only thing to smile about was the play of Stephen Evans.

He tried to rouse his new team-mates into action with a non-stop performance.

Sadly, the others, apart from Nathan Tyson, were not responding at that stage.

Richardson went close with another header as Torquay went for the kill, and Lee Canoville saw his shot saved following some more sloppy defending.

Tyson did show what he was made of with a sparkling run and shot but that was only a slight respite, with Matt Hockley shooting just wide at the other end when he should have done better.

But gradually with half-time approaching you sensed a change.

Addison maybe could sense it too and he brought on Damian Lacey for Gareth Phillips, who picked up a knock, right at the start of the second half.

And Lacey's drive and ambition almost had immediate effect when he put Tyson clear four minutes into the restart.

The on-loan Reading teenager looked set for his second league goal but he took one too many touches and ex-Wrexham keeper Kevin Dearden had no troubles dealing with his scuffed shot.

Swansea were on top and only a smart save from Dearden denied them a deserved equaliser.

Smith rose to meet Jonathan Coates's whipped in free-kick but Dearden did well to palm away the effort off the line.

Tyson showed his pace again but this time he was denied by a deflection which took his shot just over the bar.

The visitors were pressing hard but had seen no reward, and then came that change from the manager.

Addison explained his reasoning behind the substitution, saying he kept the same formation but moved the personnel round.

"That's what it's all about," he said.

"Smudger (Smith) did ever so well. We know he's not 100 per cent fit. He was disappointed to come off but he accepted that as one has to.

"It tightened us up a little bit more. And Terry Evans coming round the back was instrumental to us in keeping Torquay out."

Williams replaced Smith and his first touch almost led to a goal but his sharp shot was well saved.

There was a new buzz about Swansea and then came the deserved equaliser.

The move involved a number of passes and eventually the ball worked its way out to Stephen Evans before his pinpoint cross was beautifully put away by Sidibe.

The perfect header was a great way to announce his comeback and also to end Swansea's goal drought, which had lasted 281 minutes.

Addison could have settled for a much-needed point but there was a feeling that Torquay had shot their bolt.

There were furious shouts for a penalty when Sidibe was brought down in the box but referee Paul Armstrong waved play on.

Chances went begging and it seemed that a point was all that Swansea would get from their Devon day out.

But that would have been scant reward for a top-class performance in the second half.

And they got their reward with eight minutes left. Torquay played their part in the goal by giving the ball away to Coates on the edge of the area. But from then on it was all Swansea's making.

Coates fed Lacey whose looping cross was nudged on by Williams.

Sidibe still had a lot to do but he turned superbly before firing low past Dearden.

The big Frenchman had a chance to complete a hat-trick with time running out before subs Neville Roach and Eifion Williams went agonisingly close in injury time.

Torquay could have snatched it at the death, which would have been an injustice on Swansea.

They deserved this win on their second-half showing alone. Addison was delighted for his players and everyone at the club.

"I always felt at 1-1 we could go on and win and that's the way it proved to be," he said.

"I am delighted for the players. We have had a hard time over the last couple of months.

"We haven't had the rub of the green sometimes. But it came good today and I thought we thoroughly deserved this victory.

"It's a major boost for Swansea City Football Club."

The win sees Swansea move up to 18th place. Still only four points off the bottom but with confidence rising all the time: who knows what this win will set off?

It was a chance for players and fans alike to concentrate on the football again and everyone went off with smiles on their faces, something not seen at the Vetch for the past month.

One man who missed it was club chairman Tony Petty, who is in Australia.

He would have loved to see the players perform at this level, but the fans are glad he wasn't there.

They could concentrate on getting behind their team, and that's what they did. It was party time on the English Riviera afterwards, but there was no raising a glass to absent friends!

SWANSEA City new boy Stephen Evans was happy just to have a first-team chance after his fine debut display in the victory at Torquay.

The former Wales Under-21 wing-back had spent all season playing reserve football at Crystal Palace before arriving at the Vetch on a month's loan last week.

With regular left-sided defender Michael Howard sidelined through injury, Swansea manager Colin Addison threw Evans straight in for his first start at Plainmoor on Saturday.

And the 21-year-old responded with an accomplished performance, capped by the cross which produced Swansea's equalising goal.

But the man-of-the-match refused to get carried away after a vital away win for his new club.

"It's a big squad at Palace and I have not been in the first team this season," said Evans, who missed all of the last campaign at Selhurst Park with a knee problem.

"I have not had much chance up there so hopefully now I have taken my chance with Swansea City.

"The manager told me I was playing on Friday so I was really looking forward to the game and I gave it my all.

"It was my debut so I was wanting to impress and to show the fans what I can do."

Evans was one of the few visiting players to emerge with credit in an awful first half for Swansea.

After the break, the Blackwood product continued to rule the roost on the left flank and crucially supplied Mamady Sidibe for the 65th-minute equaliser.

"I just whipped it into the six-yard box and happily it went on to Sidibe's head," he explained.

"Peter Nicholas had a go at us at half-time and we came it out all guns blazing and took the game to them in the second half."

He added: "Swansea doesn't seem like a club in trouble at all. The fans were excellent and everyone's raring to go.

"There's a great team spirit here."