BRIAN FLYNN last night snapped up ex-Manchester United man Mark Wilson after a frantic 48 hours of negotiations aimed at easing what he is describing as the worst injury crisis of his managerial career.

Middlesbrough midfielder Wilson, who has made just 16 Premiership appearances in two years at the Riverside, joins the Swans on a month's loan and goes straight into the side for today's Division Three clash in his home town of Scunthorpe.

Flynn moved to bring in 24-year-old Wilson after another Old Trafford product, midfielder Neil Wood, turned down a move to the Vetch in favour of joining Second Division Peterborough instead.

Wilson, who Flynn had on loan at Wrexham in 1998, is a welcome addition to a Swans team missing no less than eight first-choice men.

And boss Flynn - forced to cobble together a squad for the trip to Glanford Park - says he has never known a situation like it.

"If you ask me whether we're down to the bare bones, I'd have to say it's worse than that!" said the former Racecourse manager.

"I've never experienced a situation like it in my managerial career.

"To lose eight first-team players - most of whom would walk into any Division Three side - is exceptional.

"Having so many players out injured - almost 50 per cent of the squad has been struggling with one thing or another this week - has never happened to me before.

"It's quite unbelievable, really."

Flynn has had no choice but to add a number of untried teenagers to the party for today's trip to Lincolnshire after being left with just 10 fully-fit professionals.

The Vetch Field injury curse first struck in the summer when captain and defensive stalwart Jason Smith was ruled out for up to eight weeks with an ankle problem.

Ever since then they have been falling like flies, with Karl Connolly, Roberto Martinez, Lenny Johnrose and Jonathan Coates joining Smith in the treatment room not long into the season.

This week the curse claimed three more victims, Stuart Jones and Lee Jenkins picking up injuries in training and James Thomas coming a cropper in a reserve match.

And to highlight the full extent of Swansea's plight, the club was so short of players that the second string had to borrow men from the local South Wales leagues before duly getting thumped 8-0 at Yeovil.

"It hasn't been the easiest of weeks," sighed Flynn. "We've had once piece of bad news after another.

"But the one thing I'll say about it is I'm glad it's happening six games into the season rather than with six games to go.

"It's a situation no-one could've predicted at the start of the campaign but, if it's going to happen, it's best we get it over with now.

"And at least it gives the youngsters a chance to impress.

"We'll have an inexperienced substitutes' bench at Scunthorpe but, as I've said many times, I've got no qualms about throwing them on and challenging them to make their mark."

Amazingly, there is likely to be only one change to the side that lost 2-0 at Yeovil last Saturday, with 18-year-old Richard Duffy coming in at right-back for Jenkins.

Michael Howard, Andy Robinson and Leon Hylton will all play some part despite each carrying knocks.

The bench could include two apprentices without first-team experience - defender Jamie Rewbury and striker Mark Pritchard - as well as rookies Antonio Corbisiero and Richard Jones.

But Flynn, who expects to have Connolly and Johnrose back for home clashes against Macclesfield and Huddersfield next week, insists the crisis must not throw Swansea off course this afternoon.

"We don't want to hide behind the problems we've been having," he said. "We just can't use them as an excuse.

"Scunthorpe got to the play-offs last season and it will be tough test, but I'm still hoping for a decent result, injuries or no injuries."

As for Wood's decision to snub the Swans, Flynn is not ruling out another swoop for the 20-year-old midfielder in the future.

"Neil was one of several players on our list of possible targets, but we're not striking him off the list just because he's turned us down," said the director of football.

As well as losing out on Wood, Swansea have also failed in a bid to bring Southampton defender Garry Monk to South Wales on a one-month loan to help shore up the defence.

Lee Trundle hit a brace as Swansea ended a run of two successive away defeats with a battling 2-2 draw at Scunthorpe.

The Iron were made to pay for a missing a series of early chances when Trundle's seventh goal of the season put Swansea ahead, the former Wrexham man curling home a delightful shot into the top corner.

However, Scunthorpe were not behind for long and Alex Calvo-Garcia rammed home an equaliser from close range.

Izzy Iriekpen was dismissed for a professional foul when he brought down Steve McLean, who picked himself up to score the penalty.

Trundle, though, maintained his excellent start to the season when he drilled home the equaliser.

Scunthorpe boss Brian Laws could welcome back Matthew Sparrow, Nathan Stanton and Peter Beagrie for the visit of Swansea.

Sparrow returns after a three-match suspension, while Stanton (dead leg) and player-coach Beagrie (thigh strain) are also back in contention.

Wayne Graves sits the game out with a one-match ban following his sending-off in the 2-1 win over Torquay.

Swansea are struggling with a lengthy injury list, with James Thomas and Lee Jenkins (both ankle) the latest additions to the treatment room.

Thomas has damaged ankle ligaments, while right-back Jenkins is also out with the same injury.

Jonathan Coates (knee ligaments), Karl Connolly (calf), Roberto Martinez (knee ligaments) or Jason Smith (ankle) are still unavailable.

Swindon's Tommy Mooney has won the Umbro Isotonic Second Division player of the month award for August.

Lee Trundle of Swansea claimed the Third Division award.

Swansea are hoping to complete the signing of Manchester United youngster Neil Wood before Saturday's trip to Scunthorpe.

Swans director of football Brian Flynn is in negotiations with the central midfield player, with a one-month loan deal believed to be on the cards.

Flynn is desperate to bring a loan signing to the club as the injury situation at the Vetch is desperate - seven first-team players are currently unavailable.

Assistant manager Kevin Reeves said: "Brian is currently talking to the player and trying to convince him to come to Swansea, but there is another club involved."

Swansea will cut capacity at the Vetch Field for the home game with Macclesfield on Tuesday over safety concerns.

The decision to reduce the amount of fans on the terraced areas has been made by the Safety Advisory Committee following incidents at home matches this season.

The Committee, made up of representatives from the police, fire service, ambulance trust and the council, were alarmed that fans were ignoring warnings to keep out of prohibited areas.

Director David Morgan told the club website: "Gangways must be kept clear in case of emergencies.

"Because supporters have ignored constant requests to keep these areas clear, action has been taken by the Safety Advisory Committee."

BRIAN FLYNN admits his injury-ravaged Swansea City side are starting to miss their most experienced absentees.

The treatment room at the Vetch is fast resembling a scene from Holby City with no less than six first-team men now nursing various aches and pains.

And how the Swans could have done with one or two of them - preferably midfielders Roberto Martinez or Lenny Johnrose - during Saturday's dismal defeat at league newcomers Yeovil Town.

Make no mistake, this was a poor performance. Swansea were out-classed, out-played and looked nothing like the team that had started the season in such explosive fashion.

Flynn's side, devoid of ideas and their usual midfield panache, never looked like engineering a goal and were subdued throughout by a combative Yeovil outfit that had previously suffered three successive defeats.

Perhaps it is too much to expect such top-notch entertainment week in, week out, but Flynn was forced to concede Swansea were a mere shadow of the side that got the 2003-04 ball rolling in such magnificent fashion.

And, with Karl Connolly, Leon Hylton and Jon Coates also out as well as long-term absentee Jason Smith, he admitted he was keen to see an end to the injury crisis depriving him of some of his most important components.

"I must admit that we do need our experienced players back," said the director of football, hoping for good news ahead of Saturday's trip to Scunthorpe.

"We had six out injured against Yeovil and any team would suffer in that situation.

"Lenny, Karl, Roberto, Jason...the list goes on. The sooner we get them back the better because we need our old heads in the team.

"You've got to give the youngsters a chance and if they're up for the challenge, they will stay in.

"But at the same time, there's no substitute for experience. We've had a terrible run of injuries and we do need people to start coming back."

Defeat at Huish Park gave credence to the general belief that Swansea are going to have to score a lot of goals to win games this season.

For it illustrated that when the strikers are firing blanks, the defence gets put under greater pressure and this is a team still looking decidedly shaky at the back.

Twice Yeovil cut into the Swansea rearguard like a knife through butter, first when Adam Stansfield put the home side in front with a 39th-minute header and then when Kirk Jackson raced through for the second 10 minutes after the interval.

But Flynn, who has set his men the challenge of avoiding two straight league defeats this season, was reluctant to single out individuals for criticism.

"There was some confusion on the edge of the box for the second goal and the defending could've been better," he said. "But I'm not going to point the finger at anyone in particular.

"Quite simply, we were poor all over. We were over-run in all areas of the pitch.

"Yeovil's strikers caused us problems, their midfield controlled the game and, apart from one or two chances Kevin Nugent had in the first half, we didn't look a threat.

"It wasn't the real us out there. This was not a typical Swansea performance and we know we must do better."

Flynn hopes to have at least one extra body available for Saturday's trip to Glanford Park. Hylton missed Yeovil with an ankle injury, giving Michael Howard his first start of the season at left-back, but hopes to be fit to return at the weekend.

However, it is the influence of men like Johnrose (hamstring) and Connolly (calf) that Flynn is desperate to have back as soon as possible.

"Lenny is the most likely one to return against Scunthorpe and it's touch and go for Karl," said Flynn, who can at least take comfort from good performances from Andy Robinson and the the returning Brad Maylett in the defeat at Yeovil.

"But if they're not fit, we'll just have to get on with it and other people will get their chance again."

BRIAN FLYNN admits his injury-ravaged Swansea City side are starting to miss their most experienced absentees.

The treatment room at the Vetch is fast resembling a scene from Holby City with no less than six first-team men now nursing various aches and pains.

And how the Swans could have done with one or two of them - preferably midfielders Roberto Martinez or Lenny Johnrose - during Saturday's dismal defeat at league newcomers Yeovil Town.

Make no mistake, this was a poor performance. Swansea were out-classed, out-played and looked nothing like the team that had started the season in such explosive fashion.

Flynn's side, devoid of ideas and their usual midfield panache, never looked like engineering a goal and were subdued throughout by a combative Yeovil outfit that had previously suffered three successive defeats.

Perhaps it is too much to expect such top-notch entertainment week in, week out, but Flynn was forced to concede Swansea were a mere shadow of the side that got the 2003-04 ball rolling in such magnificent fashion.

And, with Karl Connolly, Leon Hylton and Jon Coates also out as well as long-term absentee Jason Smith, he admitted he was keen to see an end to the injury crisis depriving him of some of his most important components.

"I must admit that we do need our experienced players back," said the director of football, hoping for good news ahead of Saturday's trip to Scunthorpe.

"We had six out injured against Yeovil and any team would suffer in that situation.

"Lenny, Karl, Roberto, Jason...the list goes on. The sooner we get them back the better because we need our old heads in the team.

"You've got to give the youngsters a chance and if they're up for the challenge, they will stay in.

"But at the same time, there's no substitute for experience. We've had a terrible run of injuries and we do need people to start coming back."

Defeat at Huish Park gave credence to the general belief that Swansea are going to have to score a lot of goals to win games this season.

For it illustrated that when the strikers are firing blanks, the defence gets put under greater pressure and this is a team still looking decidedly shaky at the back.

Twice Yeovil cut into the Swansea rearguard like a knife through butter, first when Adam Stansfield put the home side in front with a 39th-minute header and then when Kirk Jackson raced through for the second 10 minutes after the interval.

But Flynn, who has set his men the challenge of avoiding two straight league defeats this season, was reluctant to single out individuals for criticism.

"There was some confusion on the edge of the box for the second goal and the defending could've been better," he said. "But I'm not going to point the finger at anyone in particular.

"Quite simply, we were poor all over. We were over-run in all areas of the pitch.

"Yeovil's strikers caused us problems, their midfield controlled the game and, apart from one or two chances Kevin Nugent had in the first half, we didn't look a threat.

"It wasn't the real us out there. This was not a typical Swansea performance and we know we must do better."

Flynn hopes to have at least one extra body available for Saturday's trip to Glanford Park. Hylton missed Yeovil with an ankle injury, giving Michael Howard his first start of the season at left-back, but hopes to be fit to return at the weekend.

However, it is the influence of men like Johnrose (hamstring) and Connolly (calf) that Flynn is desperate to have back as soon as possible.

"Lenny is the most likely one to return against Scunthorpe and it's touch and go for Karl," said Flynn, who can at least take comfort from good performances from Andy Robinson and the the returning Brad Maylett in the defeat at Yeovil.

"But if they're not fit, we'll just have to get on with it and other people will get their chance again."

Yeovil bounced back from three successive defeats to topple Division Three leaders Swansea with a 2-0 victory.

The visitors could have no complaints as Yeovil created a string of chances.

Yeovil took the lead after 39 minutes when Adam Stansfield, making his first start, headed home a perfect cross from Lee Johnson.

In the opening minutes of the second half Stansfield should have scored again when he was clear but hit the legs of goalkeeper Roger Freestone.

The second goal soon arrived when Stansfield set up Kirk Jackson who produced a brave finish to double the lead.

Lee Trundle worked hard for the Swans but it was not his day.

Three minutes from time Yeovil almost grabbed a third when Gavin Williams intercepted a pass on the halfway line and raced clear of the defence before shooting against the foot of a post.

Yeovil are set to hand a debut to loan signing Ronnie Bull for the home clash with table-topping Swansea.

The 22-year-old defender has been training with the Glovers this week after joining for a month from Millwall.

Yeovil are also set to be boosted by the return of fit-again wing-back Nick Crittenden, who has recovered from a thigh injury, but top scorer Kevin Gall is away on international duty with the Wales Under-21 squad.

Swansea director of football Brian Flynn is boosted by the return of Brad Maylett and the arrival of Richard Jones for the trip.

Winger Maylett sat out last week's 4-1 win against Mansfield through suspension, while Jones returned to the club on a season-long loan from Southampton this week.

The Wales Under-19 international is expected to start in the centre of midfield, with Roberto Martinez (knee), Lenny Johnrose (hamstring) and Karl Connolly (calf) all sidelined.

Swansea have signed Southampton youngster Richard Jones on a season-long loan, while Andy Mumford has left the club.

The Wales Under-19 international, who moved to the Saints from Swansea in December 2000, has spent the last two weeks training at Vetch Field and has impressed director of football Brian Flynn.

Meanwhile, Mumford has signed a one-month contract with Dr Martens Premier Division club Newport County, and joins up with Terry Evans and Gareth Phillips, who were released by the Swans in the summer.

Third Division Manager of the Month Brian Flynn insists he is not surprised at how well his Swansea side have started the season.

The Swans avoided relegation to the Conference with a 4-2 win against Hull on the last day of last season, but now, in a dramatic turnaround, top the table after taking 12 points from their opening five games.

Director of football Flynn, who fought off stiff competition from York boss Chris Brass to land the award, was confident his side would be pushing for promotion rather than languishing in the lower reaches this term.

He said: "Looking at the players when they came back in for pre-season training - their physical shape and the preparations they had done during the close-season and pre-season - I was very pleased.

"So, in terms of fitness levels, our start to the league season has not come as a surprise."

SWANSEA CITY'S new signing Ezzy Iriekpen has revealed how Glenn Roeder turned him into an outcast at West Ham.

Iriekpen, who makes his home debut in today's Division Three clash against Mansfield, described how his career went into reverse after Roeder took charge of the Hammers and left him languishing in the reserves.

When Harry Redknapp was in the Upton Park hot-seat big Iriekpen was part of an FA Youth Cup winning team that included the likes of Joe Cole and Michael Carrick.

Cole, now part of the Chelsea revolution, and Carrick went on to become first-team favourites and Iriekpen hoped he too would make the big breakthrough.

But then came Redknapp's departure and, after Roeder was installed as his replacement, the 21-year-old Londoner said he found himself out in the cold.

Little wonder Iriekpen was barely on speaking terms with Roeder by the time he was farmed out on loan to Cambridge and Leyton Orient last season.

"I didn't see eye to eye with Glenn," he admits. "I didn't do anything to upset him but, for some reason, we just didn't get on."

You could understand Iriekpen allowing himself a little smile when Roeder received the sack last weekend.

But he insists he has been focused entirely on getting his career back on track after a miserable end to a Hammers career that began when he was a 12-year-old schoolboy.

"Glenn Roeder did not give me a single chance at West Ham," he said.

"Leon (Britton) and I were doing well in the reserves, but the manager did not want to know.

"Last season West Ham were letting a lot of goals in and perhaps one of the youngsters would have wanted it a bit more had they been given a chance.

"But that chance never came. And, after they were relegated, I thought perhaps then I would be offered a new contract, but no.

"I find it unbelievable that they allowed a player like Leon go. He could've done a really good job for them in Division One.

"And I would have understood Glenn letting me go had I'd been given a chance and he decided I was not up to it.

"That was all I wanted. A chance to prove I was good enough."

Outlining the way he was treated by Roeder, Iriekpen said he was left with little choice but to leave the club he had grown up with.

"I was cast out from training with the rest of the squad," he explained. "Two or three of us, including Leon, were forced to train on our own.

"As you can imagine, it is hard to motivate yourself to work in circumstances like that.

"I didn't understand him (Roeder). I don't know why he did what he did. I worked hard and got on with everyone at the club.

"I had to leave and that was disappointing because I grew up in the shadows of Upton Park, came through the youth academy and still love the club.

"But there was no future for me there. I've had to look elsewhere and now I just want to get things going."

The 6ft 1ins defender, who made his Swans debut in Monday's calamitous 3-0 defeat at Oxford, was offered a one-year deal at Cambridge, but turned it down.

Having been handed a three-month contract at the Vetch, Iriekpen knows he could soon be out in the cold again if he does not prove a hit with boss Brian Flynn.

But he is confident he has a future in South Wales. "Cambridge didn't feel right to me, but I'm enjoying it at Swansea," he said.

"I've gelled straight away with the players, the manager and the coaching staff and I feel comfortable here."

Iriekpen's first game in a Swansea shirt was going well until Flynn's men handed Oxford three late goals courtesy of a penalty and two horrendous goalkeeping errors.

But No 1 Brian Murphy is expected to win a stay of execution against a Mansfield side that hit five past Scunthorpe on Tuesday.

Midfield is the problem area, with no less than five players - Roberto Martinez, Lenny Johnrose, Karl Connolly, Jon Coates and Brad Maylett - missing through injury or suspension.

Iriekpen's mission is to stop Stags striker Iyseden Christie adding to his haul of four goals in two games, including a hat-trick in last weekend's 3-0 win against Southend.

"It's going to be tough, but hopefully we can reproduce the win and the clean sheet we got against Boston," he said.

Swansea got back to winning ways with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Mansfield in an incident-packed game.

Goals from Kieron Durkan, Andy Robinson, Lee Trundle and Kevin Nugent saw off the visitors, who finished with nine men.

Keith Curle's side had striker Iyseden Christie sent off in the eighth minute for an off-the-ball incident while Lee Williamson saw red after 73 minutes when he kicked out at Leon Britton.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Durkan crisply struck Trundle's pass past Mansfield goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington.

Tony Vaughan equalised, but Robinson put the home side back into the lead before Trundle made it 3-1 when he converted a penalty.

Nugent compounded Mansfield's misery when he slotted home after a miscued Pilkington clearance left him with an open goal.

Swansea director of football Brian Flynn is desperately short of midfield resources ahead of the home clash with Mansfield.

Roberto Martinez suffered a major knee injury in last Friday's 3-0 win over Boston and is expected to be out of action for about eight weeks, while Lenny Johnrose is unavailable for the next fortnight after damaging a hamstring in the Swans' Bank Holiday defeat at Oxford.

Andy Robinson deputised for Martinez at the Kassam Stadium and should keep his place, while Jonathan Coates replaced Johnrose and is in line to win a starting berth against the Stags.

Long-term injury victim Adam Eaton is likely to be the sole absentee as Mansfield travel to the Vetch Field.

Eaton's long-standing hamstring problem has now been cured, with the defender currently working to strengthen the muscle.

Player-manager Keith Curle has predicted the 23-year-old will return to action in four weeks.

Curle, aiming to lead the Stags back to the Second Division at the first attempt, is expected to select from the same squad which followed up Saturday's 3-0 win at Southend with a 5-0 thrashing of Scunthorpe on Monday.

Swansea boss Brian Flynn bemoaned his side's defending after three late goals saw them crash to defeat at Oxford.

The Swans seemed to heading for a useful goalless draw at the Kassam Stadium, but three goals in the final five minutes allowed Oxford to take over at the top of Division Three.

"I don't like to point fingers but there were some bad individual mistakes," admitted Flynn.

"For most of the game we made the right defensive decisions until the last few minutes. It had looked like a certain goalless draw.

"It was self-inflicted. We brought the defeat on ourselves."

LEON BRITTON believes resurgent Division Three leaders Swansea City are good enough to remain part of the promotion picture all season.

The super-confident Swans face their toughest test so far at promotion hopefuls Oxford United today (3.00) with Britton insisting they are capable of beating anyone in the division.

The midfield star was again outstanding as Swansea maintained their 100 per cent record on Friday with a stunning 3-0 home win over Boston that propelled them to the Division Three summit for the first time since the championship success of 2000.

Goals from Lee Trundle - his fifth of the season - Kevin Nugent and Andy Robinson capped a breath-taking second half performance. York were the only one of a host of teams on six points to draw level with Brian Flynn's side on Saturday, but the free-scoring Welshmen head to the Kassam Stadium still top on goal difference.

And Britton believes the Swans - dealt a blow after it was confirmed key midfielder Roberto Martinez could be out for up to six weeks with damaged knee ligaments - have what it takes to maintain a top-three challenge.

"Considering the way we're playing and the players we've got at the club, I think we're good enough to stay there or thereabouts all season," said the 20-year-old Londoner.

"Roberto getting injured is a big blow, but as long as we don't suffer too many more injuries, I see no reason why we can't remain at the top of the league or close to it.

"Admittedly we're only three games into the season and we don't want to get over-confident - there could be a few off-days to come - but things have gone superbly so far.

"And if we continue playing as well as we have in the first three games, why shouldn't we still be up there after 30 or 40 games?"

To say Swansea are in dreamland might be a little over-indulgent, but for a club that escaped relegation from the Football League on the final day of last season, it has been a truly unbelievable start.

Three wins from three league outings, 11 goals, two hat-tricks and some sumptuous football - little wonder Swans' fans are getting carried away.

"It's a fantastic feeling to be top of the league considering what we went through last season," said Britton, who left the Vetch on Friday clutching the 2002-03 player of the year award that had been presented to him on the night.

"Last Christmas we were bottom of the league and now we're leading it - and that's just amazing. To have won the first three games is brilliant.

"And the important thing is we don't fear anyone. We look brilliant going forward and we don't care who we play."

The former West Ham man, already being tipped to play in the Premiership following his dazzling performances at the Vetch, is anxious to get in on the goal-scoring act after coming close in each of the opening matches.

"It's doing my head in a bit," he smiles. "Last season we didn't score that many goals, but this year we are and I thought I would've got one by now.

"But at least I keep getting into good goal-scoring positions. I'm getting closer and closer and I'm sure a goal will come sooner rather than later."

Whether it will come at Oxford is another matter. Swansea are certain to encounter strong resistance against a Us side widely tipped to at least reach the play-offs this season.

"It's going to be a test for us," said Britton. "Oxford are going for promotion and it's a chance for us to see just how far we have come."

Ian Atkins' side, trailing the league leaders by two points after being held to a 1-1 draw at Scunthorpe at the weekend, could feature two ex-Swans, defender Mathew Bound and striker Julian Alsop.

Swansea must fill the hole left by Martinez, who came off 25 minutes into the Boston game and will have a scan on his injured knee tomorrow.

Robinson could hold onto his place after impressing as a midfield stand-in for the Spaniard during Friday's victory.

New signing Izzy Iriekpen - turned down by Oxford after a trial period this summer - is in line to make his debut in the centre of defence.

A catalogue of errors led to Swansea conceding three goals in the final five minutes as their 100 per cent league record was blown to pieces by an Oxford side who take over at the top after a 3-0 win.

The game was goalless after 85 minutes of hard-fought action, with Julian Alsop going the closest to opening the scoring when he clipped a post with a header.

But a rash challenge by Kristian O'Leary on Dean Whitehead gave Oxford a penalty which Andy Crosby converted.

Alsop then won a race to the ball ahead of goalkeeper Brian Murphy to stab home Steve Basham's deep cross moments later.

The nightmare continued for the Swans when right-back Stuart Jones failed to hear his keeper's shout and headed past Murphy for substitute Mark Rawle to nip in and score with his first touch just 17 seconds into his debut.

Oxford manager Ian Atkins has no new injury worries ahead of the home clash with Swansea.

On-loan Jon Ashton will continue in defence following a fine display against Scunthorpe on Saturday.

Andy Scott could start after recovering from an ankle injury.

Swans are without Roberto Martinez after he was stretchered off with suspected knee ligament damage during the 3-0 win over Boston.

Karl Connolly could recover from a calf strain which kept him out of that game, but Jason Smith remains on the sidelines with a long-term ankle ligament injury.

Swansea City's flying start to the season continued after they beat Boston United 3-0 at Vetch Field.

The side who last season survived relegation by a solitary point now sit at the top of the Third Division table after goals from Lee Trundle, Kevin Nugent and Andy Robinson secured the Swans' third successive win.

Last year's fellow strugglers Boston tried their best to nullify the free-scoring Swans with some crunching tackles and absorbing defending from the off.

But the Pilgrims could do little to stop Trundle's opener on 49 minutes. Graham Potter's header failed to clear the Boston lines and Trundle pounced from 25 yards, curling the ball round post and keeper.

Then Trundle turned provider two minutes later, as his by-line cross was met perfectly by Nugent to make it 2-0.

The visitors did have their fair share of chances with both Neil Redfearn and Stuart Douglas hitting the home woodwork.

But the points were wrapped up on 87 minutes when Robinson deftly chipped over Paul Bastock for his first ever league goal.

Preview: Swansea v Boston

Swansea manager Brian Flynn is looking to name an unchanged line-up for the home match against Boston.

Striker Karl Connolly is the only new doubt, and he is expected to recover from a calf strain to take his place in an 18-man squad.

Central defender Jason Smith is the only certain absentee as he continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines with ankle ligament damage.

Winger Brad Maylett is available, with his one-match ban resulting from his sending off against Bristol City not due to come into effect until the home match against Mansfield on Saturday, August 30.

Boston boss Neil Thompson is sweating on the fitness of four players ahead of the trip.

Mark Greaves (back), Graeme Jones (knee), Simon Rusk (hamstring) and Tom Bennett (groin) are doubtful for the game at the Vetch Field as the Pilgrims aim for their first win of the season.

"They (Swansea) have had a fantastic start and it will be a very, very tough game," said Thompson.

"We've put in some good performances so far and we've been creating chances, but we haven't been converting them."

Swansea winger Brad Maylett has been handed a one-match ban following his sending off against Bristol City in the Carling Cup last week.

The Swans cannot appeal against the decision as new rules state that clubs can only claim against straight red cards and not two yellows as in Maylett's case.

Maylett will now miss next Saturday's home game against Mansfield.

Swansea boss Brian Flynn has moved to quash rumours that defender Jason Smith is set to retire.

The 28-year-old has seen his career blighted by injuries and has spent much of the last two seasons on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

But Flynn has rubbished suggestions Smith is on the verge of calling time on his career, telling the Western Mail: "Jason is not retiring. We are waiting for him to come back to full fitness.

"Unless Jason has told somebody else he is retiring, these rumours are rubbish."

Lee Trundle scored a second-half hat-trick to give Swansea an amazing 4-3 victory at Cheltenham that saw them come from two goals down.

Cheltenham looked to be heading for victory when Bertrand Cozic opened the scoring in the 17th minute and Grant McCann curled home a second on the half-hour mark.

The Swansea revival began just before the break when Jason Thomas found the net, but Cheltenham restored their two-goal advantage when McCann thundered home a penalty on the hour.

Trundle fired home his first of the match minutes later and then delighted the sizeable Swansea support with a second to haul the Welsh side level.

But there was more to come from the former Wrexham forward as he rifled home the winner in injury time.

Cheltenham boss Bobby Gould could bring loan-signing Kevin Amankwaah straight into his squad for the visit of Swansea.

Bristol City defender Amankwaah completed a one-month deal in time to be considered for selection.

Gould is also boosted by the return of John Finnigan who sat out the midweek Carling Cup loss to QPR with a shin injury.

Karl Connolly is doubtful for Swansea with a calf problem.

The summer signing from QPR lasted just 33 minutes of the Swans' 4-1 Carling Cup defeat at Bristol City in midweek, limping out of the action shortly after putting his side on level terms.

New signing Andy Robinson is suspended, while Jason Smith and Lee Jenkins continue to struggle with ankle problems.

A disputed penalty four minutes into extra time was the catalyst for Bristol City's 4-1 Carling Cup victory over Swansea at Ashton Gate.

Micky Bell tucked the spot-kick past Brian Murphy to put his side ahead after Kristian O'Leary was penalised for handball.

It was the second blow for Swansea after Brad Maylett was dismissed in the final minute of normal time after wrestling City defender Matt Hill to the ground.

A man short for the extra period and that controversial penalty against them, the Welsh club fall apart as a Danny Coles header and a deflected Lee Peacock effort added to their woes.

Swansea had dominated for a long spell in the second half when their midfielders Leon Britton and Roberto Martinez ran the show.

A rousing display saw the Swans cancel out a 14th-minute goal from Peacock with Karl Connolly levelling with an unmarked header.

Swansea have completed the signing of former Tranmere striker Andy Robinson.

Manager Brian Flynn has offered the 23-year-old a month-by-month non-contract deal after he impressed during a pre-season trial, scoring three goals in six matches.

Robinson is unavailable for Wednesday's Carling Cup match with Bristol City and Saturday's league clash with Cheltenham because of suspension.

He could therefore make his debut at home to Boston a week on Friday.

Bristol City manager Danny Wilson has kept faith with the same squad that secured an impressive opening day victory over Notts County for their Carling Cup clash against Swansea.

New signings Lee Miller and Luke Wilkshire produced impressive performances on their debuts and Wilson sees no reason to change a winning formula.

Assistant boss Frank Barlow insists the team will not be getting carried away saying: "What we did on Saturday will count for nothing. We're starting from the baseline again."

Swansea boss Brian Flynn will similarly not make any changes to his line-up having reported no new injury problems for the trip to Ashton Gate.

But central defender Jason Smith and midfielder Lee Jenkins (both ankle) are forced to remain on the sidelines.

Stuart Jones will continue to deputise at right-back after a fine performance against Bury on Saturday, while midfielder Lenny Johnrose will play as a makeshift centre-half as Flynn continues to look for cover in that position.