TEENAGER Richard Duffy hopes to take another step towards cementing his place in the Swansea City first team today. One of Flynn's fledglings, the 18-year-old from Swansea has shone since being given his big break in the senior side after an injury crisis gripped the Vetch

The versatile Duffy, who scored in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Macclesfield, sent a 'drop me if you dare' message after another sparkling show that underlined his rich potential

"I wasn't expecting to play in the first team so soon

But we've had a lot of injuries at the club and the gaffer has given me my chance," said the Welsh Youth international

The teenager, who made his Swans debut in an FA Cup match at Macclesfield in December 2001 when he was 16, has earned rave reviews this season

"I will be disappointed if I do lose my place in the first team. But, if that happens, I'll just have to get on with life and fight for my place again. "After the little run I've had, I see myself as a first-team player now and not as a youth-team player

"I'll be delighted if I can keep my place in the team when the senior players are back to full fitness

" Duffy's first outing this season came as a substitute for Stuart Jones in the 4-1 home win over Mansfield on August 30

"The manager didn't say anything to me before the game," he recalled

"He put me on the bench, then, when Stuart came off, he told me to go out and enjoy myself

"To score my first goal on Tuesday was a dream

I always wanted to score at the Vetch, in front of the home crowd

"The feeling of scoring at the Vetch was even better than I imagined it would be

" The Swans can boast a 100 per cent record on home turf this season and they are hoping to keep their perfect run going against Peter Jackson's Terriers

Brian Flynn's men go into battle knowing they - along with Mansfield - are the Football League's highest scorers with 20. "The confidence in the dressing room is very high at the moment

It's the complete opposite to last season when we were at the bottom," explained Duffy

"If the side is playing with confidence then that makes it easier for young players like myself to come into the side

"If the team is struggling and low on confidence then makes it hard for youngsters to come in

" Huddersfield arrive in South Wales minus Nigerian international defender Efe Sodje, who saw his appeal against the red card he picked up at Bury rejected by an FA Commission yesterday

But Jackson's side will include Wales Under-21 midfielder Lee Fowler - on loan from Coventry - and experienced hit-man Andy Booth, while striker Jon Stead has bagged seven goals this season

"Huddersfield are seen as one of the favourites to win promotion, but they have not had the best of starts," said Duffy

The Yorkshiremen are 14th in the table, six points behind the Swans

"We are an attacking side and good to watch

As long as we carry on scoring goals then we have no need to fear anyone in this division," he added

"It would be great to get three points against Huddersfield and

our run going."

Lee Trundle reckons Swansea City have more firepower than the Wrexham side who blazed a trail out of Division Three last season. Trundle's old club shot their way to the Second Division under Denis Smith's guidance, rattling in a whopping 84 goals - a tally bettered by only one side, Portsmouth, in the country - on the road to promotion.

And the 26-year-old trickster, who swapped North Wales for South over the summer, believes his new side can surpass that total in their bid to follow Wrexham out of the Nationwide League basement.

With 20 strikes in the first eight matches of their campaign, Swansea are already well on their way.

''I think we've got more threats going forward than Wrexham had last year,'' Trundle said.

''Up there we had Carlos Edwards and Paul Edwards on either flank, then Andy Morrell and myself up front.

''But here we've got people like Brad Maylett and Karl Connolly out wide, me, Kevin Nugent and James Thomas up front and then the likes of Leon Britton, Andy Robinson, Mark Wilson and Roberto Martinez in midfield.

''We've got threats coming from all angles and that makes us a hard side to defend against.

''We've looked dangerous everywhere and we're always going to create chances.''

Trundle has been the main beneficiary to date - his eight strikes in as many league outings making him the top marksman in the country.

Huddersfield come to Vetch Field tomorrow with Division Three's No. 2 striker in their ranks, six-goal Jonathan Stead.

But it will be Swansea's blond-haired No. 10 who is favourite to register once again as he revels in the free role handed to him by Brian Flynn.

''I'm really made up about the way things are going for me at the moment,'' added the Third Division's player of the month for August. ''I couldn't have asked for much more than eight goals.

''Playing alongside Nuge has been brilliant for me - he wins so many flick-ons and creates space for me with his presence.

''It's refreshing because last season I was playing the targetman role alongside Andy Morrell, and I'm not really a targetman.

''And a lot of credit has to go to the gaffer and Kevin Reeves as well.

''They just tell me to go out and enjoy myself - they know how to push my buttons if you like.

''Having the chance to work with them again was a big factor for me when I chose to come down to Swansea.

''I knew they wouldn't be happy with mid-table and I knew their style, which is to encourage players to go out and do things with the ball to entertain.

''To be honest, if I was the manager I don't think I would try to restrict the sort of players we have got.''

SWANSEA CITY boss Brian Flynn celebrated his first anniversary at the Vetch yesterday and declared, "It has been an eventful year!"

Flynn took control of the Swans on September 19 last year - the day after the club plunged to the bottom of the Football League for the first time in its 90-year history with a 1-0 reverse at Boston.

The former Wrexham manager replaced ex-Swans skipper Nick Cusack in the Vetch Field hot-seat after a torrid run that had the club heading towards the League trapdoor.

But, in the space of 12 months, Flynn and his No 2 Kevin Reeves have transformed the Swans from a side anchored at the foot of the Division Three to a free-scoring outfit proudly perched at the top.

Flynn, who is hoping his side can maintain their 100 per cent home record against Huddersfield today, told The Western Mail, "It has been an eventful year to say the least.

"I have to say it has gone very quickly. It was a risk agreeing to take over Swansea because the club was in big trouble at the time.

"Kevin and I put our reputations on the line by accepting the job. Sometimes you have to do that.

"We knew the potential of this club and we knew it was ambitious. What has happened this season has vindicated our decision to come here."

The Swans avoided the dreaded drop into the Conference on the last day of last season with an emotional 4-2 win over Hull at the Vetch.

Four months on and his charges are sitting on the summit of the Third Division after winning five of their first eight games.

Along with Mansfield, they are the leading scorers in the Football League with 20 with 14 of those goals coming at Fortress Vetch.

"The club has really moved forward quite a lot in the last year," added Flynn.

"Work has commenced at our new stadium in Morfa. We can see the light there.

"And the playing squad has dramatically improved."

Flynn managed to convince quality players like Roberto Martinez, Leon Britton, Lee Trundle and Brad Maylett to come to South Wales.

And another plus is the way youngsters such as Richard Duffy and Stuart Jones have performed during the Swans' recent injury crisis.

"Leon Britton was a big singing for us, so too was Lee Trundle, Roberto Martinez and Brad Maylett," said Flynn, born just a few miles away at Port Talbot.

"How did I manage to sign those players? That's my little secret," he smiled. "Let's just say I used gentle persuasion.

"We have built a squad here very quickly. Usually it takes years to build the squad you want, but Kevin and I have done it in months. We are more than happy with what we have got.

He went on, "I know people are talking about the likes of Leon, Roberto and Lee, but look at Kevin Nugent.

"At the moment he is playing as well as he has done for a number of years.

"And James Thomas, who was the hero last season with his hat-trick against Hull, can't wait to be unleashed. You can see that in training.

"We are planning ahead here. When I first came to the club there was only one player - Andrew Mumford - who was on a two-year contract.

"That's not planning ahead. That's not looking forward. But I can tell you we are planning for this season, next season and beyond. You've got to do that.

"A club needs stability and continuity. I know we were bottom of the table a year ago but, to be fair to the board, they had already laid down plans for this club then."

Added the former Burnley and Leeds midfielder, "Kevin and I knew what to expect when we came here.

"It's not nice having to go through what this team went through last season but we came through it OK in the end.

"During pre-season with my players I told them that they had done well in the last 20 games of the 2002-03 campaign.

"They won eight, drew seven and lost five and that is top-six material.

"Staying up in May was massive. That was the key to everything. If we went down then I wouldn't be at this football club now.

"We fought one of the toughest relegation scraps in the Third Division for years. We would win a game but then find we were still in trouble.

"The problem was that the other sides around us were also managing to win games. Exeter, who went down in the end, put together a decent run at the very end."

Flynn has recently endured the "worst injury crisis of my managerial career." Martinez, Thomas, Lenny Johnrose, Karl Connolly and Leon Hylton have been some of the names on the casualty list.

But now the bodies are returning to work. Johnrose came on as a substitute in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Macclesfield, while Thomas, Connolly and Kieron Durkan were all unused substitutes.

"Roberto is also a couple of weeks away from coming back and Jason Smith is also progressing well. He, too, is only weeks away," said Flynn.

"Leon Hylton, Stuart Jones, Lee Jenkins and Jonathan Coates are only a week away or so away from coming back.

"I'm going to have a lovely selection problem soon."

Table-topping Swansea City aim for their sixth straight home win tomorrow with boss Brian Flynn admitting: ''We're going the right way for promotion.'' Following on from last season's crucial final-day win over Hull (4-2), Swansea have beaten Bury (4-2), Boston (3-0), Mansfield (4-1) and Macclesfield (3-0).

The scintillating Vetch Field form is a far cry from 2002-3, when Flynn's side managed only eight wins in nine months and scored just 28 goals.

And Swansea's director of football grinned: ''Five wins from five games and 18 goals scored. It's not a bad return, is it?

''I said before the season started that our home form would be the cornerstone of our season.

''The key is to be consistent, and now we have started well we must

the momentum going.

''It's been good so far at home. We've been bright, we've scored goals and we've entertained - we can have no complaints.

''I think the difference from last season is that we are no longer in the situation where we're saying every game is a must-win game.

''Now we find ourselves in a situation where the lads are saying 'we will win' every time they go out to play.''

To succeed again tomorrow Swansea must overcome a Huddersfield team tipped by many to bounce straight back to the Second Division following relegation last season.

One of the biggest clubs in the Nationwide League basement, the Terriers also boast one of the best front pairings in veteran targetman Andy Booth and rising star Jonathan Stead.

''Huddersfield have great history and tradition and there's a nice mix of youth and experience in their team now,'' Flynn added.

''But they are just one of a few good sides in this division this season.

''We've seen first hand that Yeovil and Oxford are looking good. Then of course there is Hull, and Bristol Rovers have showed that there in for a much better time this season than they had last.

''But we've made as good a start as anyone and we're starting to gain a reputation now as one of the better sides in this league. That's what we want to continue.''

Flynn hinted that he may name an unchanged side tomorrow after Tuesday's cruise past Macclesfield, though the fit again trio of James Thomas, Karl Connolly and Lenny Johnrose are all pushing for a starting place. Lee Jenkins has an outside chance of figuring after an ankle injury.

With Leon Hylton and Jason Smith both sidelined, Flynn remains keen to strengthen his defensive options with a loan signing, though no developments look likely before next week.

''I have to admit it would be difficult to change the side after Macclesfield even if we had got someone in on loan, though that's not to say I've picked the team for tomorrow already,'' added Flynn.

''I am still looking to sign a defender. The situation is ongoing, but I don't think we'll be doing anything before Huddersfield."

With police predicting a travelling contingent of between 500 and 700, Swansea are hoping for a crowd in excess of 8,000.

qCardiff City defender Scott Young has returned to first-team training after shaking off a problematic back injury.

The club's longest-serving player only made 14 appearances last season and has yet to appear during the current campaign.

''My back seems fine but I certainly won't be rushing things at the moment,'' said the former Wales Under-21 international.

TERRY YORATH admits he is not surprised to see former club Swansea City sitting at the top of the Third Division.

Huddersfield Town No 2 Yorath - back at the Vetch tomorrow in a professional capacity for the first time since leaving the Swans in 1991 - returns with Brian Flynn's men in great goal-scoring form, 14 coming in four home games. Swansea have proved the division's surprise package, topping the table after escaping the dreaded drop into the Conference on the last day of last season.

But ex-Wales boss Yorath, who managed Swansea twice in the late 1980s and early 1990s, said he tipped the club for a promotion assault before the big kick-off last month. "I'm not surprised Swansea are at the top - I expected it," said Yorath, who had two spells in charge at the club, from 1986-89 and 1990-91, and is now Peter Jackson's assistant at the McAlpine Stadium.

"Someone asked me during the summer how I thought Swansea would do this season. I said I thought they were going to be the joker in the pack.

"They were on such a high after staying up on the last day of last season and they've carried that into the new season." On his Vetch return, Yorath added, "I've not been back to Swansea with another team since I left the Vetch 12 years ago. I am looking forward to returning.

"I had some good times at the club, winning promotion in 1988. Mind you, I had some bad times there as well. But, on the whole, I enjoyed managing Swansea."

Roberto Martinez is on target for his scheduled return from the injury which has forced him to miss the last five Swansea City games. The Spanish midfielder set himself nine weeks to recover from knee ligament damage he suffered in the 3-0 win over Boston on August 22 and a third of a way through that recuperation period he is happy with his progress.

He stepped up his comeback bid this week by running for the first time and is confident of making a complete recovery.

''It is very good news on the injury,'' said the 30-year-old. ''I feel my knee is getting stronger and I don't feel any pain whatsoever.

''I started to do some running this week and I feel very well.

''We are talking about a recovery period of a about nine to 10 weeks and we are now three weeks into that.

''A third of the way through and everything seems to be going fine. We are very lucky to have physio Richard Evans at the club. The work he does maybe could mean a quicker recovery than we thought.''

In Martinez's absence Swansea have continued to

up their impressive form and now sit proudly on top of the Third Division.

He has watched all the games from the stand and believes Tuesday's win over Macclesfield was the most impressive yet.

''It was a very pleasurable performance against Macclesfield and it was great to see that the goals were coming from other areas of the pitch,'' he said.

'''We all know our strikers are capable of scoring but we cannot rely on them or put them under any extra pressure to score like we did last season.

'''That shows a sign of strength when you win games without the forwards scoring.

'''Kevin Nugent and Lee Trundle were magnificent on Tuesday. They weren't on the scoresheet but to play well they don't necessarily have to be.

''Overall things are going well, but we realise there's a long way to go.''

Meanwhile, the club are reminding fans that Saturday's clash with Huddersfield will not now be all-ticket for home supporters.

The Football Safety Advisory Committee agreed to allow capacity at Vetch Field go back up to 85 per cent of the level set at the start of the season, forcing a rethink on ticketing by the club's board of directors.

Huddersfield fans will be housed in the West Terrace on Saturday, but Swansea supporters can buy tickets at the turnstiles, including, for the first time this season, in the Family Stand.

The decision of the committee to bring the capacity back up came at a meeting following Tuesday's match with Macclesfield where fans co-operated fully with calls for them not to block emergency aisles on the North Bank and West Terrace.

LEON BRITTON last night revealed the secret behind scoring the first senior goal of his career - a change of boots.

The Swansea City midfielder celebrated his 21st birthday by getting his name on the scoresheet for the first time in his professional career during Wednesday's 3-0 win over Macclesfield at the Vetch.

And for this match the former West Ham player decided to wear his white Adidas boots instead of his usual red pair.

"I saw my white boots lying about in my flat and I thought, 'I haven't worn those for a while'," he explained.

"So I decided to wear them for a change and they turned out to be my lucky boots.

"I actually bought them last season, but I put them away after we lost 4-0 at Hartlepool. I didn't wear them again after that.

"But I decided to give them a go against Macclesfield and it worked out perfectly.

"The night turned into a great one. I scored my first ever senior goal on my 21st birthday and we got the three points."

"I suppose you could say it was the ideal birthday present," he added.

However, Britton's one regret is that his parents - who spend six months of the year in Crete - were not there to see him score his first senior goal.

"My mum and dad have bought a house in Crete and they're over there at the moment," said the Londoner.

"They come back home every other month and they do come and see most of my games.

"But, as soon as the Macclesfield game finished, I rang them up and told them I had scored my first goal.

"They're two hours ahead in Crete and I ended up waking them up! They were gutted to miss me scoring.

"After the game I celebrated by going to an Indian restaurant with my girlfriend for a quiet meal."

He went on, "I had a feeling I was going to score against Macclesfield. But we've got to forget about Wednesday's result and focus on Saturday's game."

Brian Flynn's men returned to the top of Division Three following their comfortable win over Macclesfield.

And the Swans will be hoping to maintain their 100 per cent record at the Vetch against Huddersfield on the weekend.

"Last season was very difficult for us. There was a lot of pressure on us and we stayed up by beating Hull on the last day of the season," explained Britton, who, as a 16-year-old, joined West Ham from Arsenal in a £400,000 switch.

"But this season is completely different. We're top of the table and scoring lots of goals. There's a great team spirit here and we're looking forward to every game.

"We've won every game at the Vetch so far and we're scoring three or four goals every time. Teams will be worried about coming to the Vetch.

"If we won a game last season we couldn't really enjoy it because we were always in trouble at the bottom of the table."

The Swans thumped the Silkmen despite Flynn having no less than nine players on the treatment table.

And Britton said, "We've got loads of players out injured, but the lads who have come in, like Richard Duffy, have done really well.

"They have been given their chance by the gaffer and they have taken it.

"Last Saturday at Scunthorpe we had four youth team players on the bench. I was one of the older players, even though I was 20.

"Before the season started a lot of people might have said perhaps we didn't have a big enough squad.

"But now, with the youngsters showing they can play at this level, it looks like we've got a strong squad.

"Don't forget, we've got players like Roberto Martinez, Karl Connolly and Lenny Johnrose to come back.

"I don't see any reason why we can't finish in the top three. At the very least we should expect to make the play-offs."

Birthday boy Leon Britton helped Swansea City back to the top of Division Three with his first senior goal last night then admitted: ''That's the best present I've ever had.'' The dazzling midfielder, 21 yesterday, sent Brian Flynn's side on their way to a convincing 3-0 victory over Macclesfield with further strikes coming from youngster Richard Duffy and Andy Robinson.

And he beamed: ''It's been a long time coming and I'm just delighted I've got a goal at last.

''Not having scored was playing on my mind and getting on my nerves a bit, but hopefully now the pressure's off I'll be able to chip in with a few more.''

Without a goal in his 33 previous Swansea appearances, the little midfielder led delirious celebrations in front of the North Bank after turning Michael Welch and firing through goal

er Boaz Myhill's legs.

''Every time I have seen a Swans fan almost since I came down here they've been asking me when the goal was going to come,'' he added.

''Mark Wilson played the ball to me and I just toed it past the defender, got it on to my right foot and tried to hit the target.

''I had more time than I wanted when I was through on the

er and I was thinking about the ones that haven't gone in before, so when it went in I couldn't control myself.

''The fans have been brilliant to me since day one and I went straight over to the North Bank to celebrate with them.''

With another handsome home win secured - Swansea have won five in a row and scored 18 goals in the process at Vetch Field - director of football Flynn conceded that his side are developing into a force to be reckoned with in the Third Division.

''Sixteen points from eight games is a very good start, you can't hide from that fact,'' he said.

''It's better than just a solid start, and our aim now is to go on and make it even better.

''We've had injury problems, but we've said all along that with a small squad it's up to others to come in and do a job even if they're playing out of position.

''When everybody's back, I'll have some absolutely wonderful problems picking the team.''

Swansea's injury troubles are already starting to ease, with Lenny Johnrose, James Thomas and Karl Connolly all approaching full fitness ahead of Saturday's meeting with Huddersfield. Duffy should be fine for the weekend after leaving the field early last night with cramp.

Move aside Magic Daps, and step up the original fans' favourite of Brian Flynn's Vetch Field reign. For once Lee Trundle's fancy footwork did not bring him a goal, instead it was Swansea City's other white-booted hot-stepper, Leon Britton, who finally hit the back of the net.

On his 34th appearance for the club, when he has dazzled and delighted in so many before, the diminutive midfielder struck at last and on his 21st birthday to boot.

''Mark Wilson played a first-time ball, Leon's first touch was brilliant and he finished it well,'' smiled Flynn, the man who deserves so much credit for handing Britton a route out of West Ham's reserves.

''He has been in good positions before but

ers have made good saves and he's thoroughly deserved to get on the scoresheet.

''It's come on his 21st birthday and he'll always remember his first league goal. I'm absolutely delighted for him.''

Swansea's director of football was not the only one.

It was no Trundle special - Macclesfield

er Boaz Myhill might even have spoilt the fun as Britton's right-foot shot skimmed through his legs and into the corner of the net.

But last night's 33rd-minute opener will go down as one of the most memorable moments of the season because of what has gone before in Britton's nine-month stay in South Wales.

How much every Swansea follower had craved his first senior strike was clear when it finally came, the 6,000-plus crowd rising almost as one to hail the young Londoner and then embarrassing him with a chorus of happy birthday.

There was some relief, too, in the celebrations, as Flynn's men had threatened to go in level at half-time level despite dominating the first period.

They might have gone ahead inside the first minute. The sort of pass that has made Britton such a popular figure saw Brad Maylett race inside left-back Danny Adams and only a smart save from on-loan Aston Villa stopper Myhill denied Trundle goal No. 9 of the campaign.

Maylett, whose pace proved almost impossible to handle for the Silkmen all evening, sent a dipping volley over the bar before Michael Howard made a rare charge into the opposition penalty box only to see his cross-shot diverted onto the roof of the net.

Myhill, from California, may have been dreaming of a clean sheet after gathering two free-kicks from home debutant Mark Wilson and a Kevin Nugent header, but could have few complaints when the home side finally went ahead.

Given Swansea's current form on their own patch - they had won four in a row before last night, scoring 15 goals in the process - he might have expected to be beaten again.

And so it proved.

Having denied the visitors their first shot on goal with a last-ditch tackle on John Miles, 18-year-old Richard Duffy popped up on the end of Wilson's cross to head his maiden Swansea goal on his first Vetch start.

''Richard got a couple of goals in pre-season, he's dangerous at set-pieces and has a knack of getting into the right areas," Flynn added.

"It was a great ball in from Mark and he finished it well."

Two up at the break thanks to the boy from Brynhyfryd, Swansea's task in the second half was simple: score one more to finish the contest.

They managed it almost straight away.

Maylett, again, found space to deliver from the right and, after winning the ball in the air, targetman Nugent slipped it through for Andy Robinson to rifle past the helpless Myhill from close range.

There was more than a hint of offside about the ex-Tranmere player's third Swansea strike.

''It was a disgrace,'' moaned Macclesfield boss David Moss.

''The lad was stood behind my

er when it was played through to him and it amazes me that people don't see offsides which cost teams points.''

The former seemed a fair claim, the latter did not. The former Manchester City No. 2 went on to admit as much, adding: ''I have no excuses, Swansea were the better team.''

No arguments there. Flynn's potent side had mauled Macclesfield with another helping of good-to-watch attacking football.

The only surprise was that they did not add to their tally.

One or two punters, forgetting perhaps the trials and tribulations of last season, were even grumbling that they had not been royally entertained in the final 43 minutes as Swansea switched to cruise control.

There were a few more flashes late on - Trundle had a right-foot effort saved, then Myhill was in action again to deny Nugent and Robinson.

But there were no sending offs, no penalties and no Macclesfield scores to set nerves jangling among the home support.

''That was what I call a proper win,'' added Flynn. ''We were good going forward and solid at the back.

''We said before the game that we had taken 45 minutes to get going in the home games against Boston and Mansfield and that we had to learn from those matches.

''I felt we did that. We started the game brightly, finished the first-half brightly, then got the third goal early in the second half and kept a well-deserved clean-sheet.''

Back on top of the league, and more shut-outs will surely see this Swansea side stay near the Third Division summit.

''Watching us go forward is brilliant at the moment because we've got threats from all areas,'' continued Flynn.

''Kevin Nugent is an unsung hero leading the line and Lee Trundle is feeding off him. They're forming a good partnership.

''Brad Maylett is a threat out wide, Andy Robinson has been a breath of fresh air getting goals from midfield and I'm certain Mark Wilson will do the same. And then there is Leon Britton.''

There is a Trust Fans forum taking place at the Vetch tonight (7.30) in the the Vice Presidents lounge located behind the Centre Stand. Berwyn Price will be representing the council in a discussion about the new stadium project. The evening will generally be in the question and answer format. It promises to be a lively discussion given the emotive nature of the subject.

This event has been widely advertised previously and seats are limited to 60 in number. However, some spaces remain available for any latecomers who wish to turn up. Anyone wishing to check in advance should ring Debbie on the Trust mobile line.

Membership numbers have risen sharply this season and while exact figures are not yet available, indications are that the Trust will cross the 2,000 mark easily this season and may reach 3,000.

This is excellent news and further strengthens the Trust's representation at the club, on behalf of its members and fans generally.

The Battle for Britton fund continues to gather donations although not at a rate which will mean a massive difference at present to the funding which the Trust hopes to make available to the club for team strengthening.

This scheme is open to any supporters and any level of donation will be welcomed.

The Trust is eager also to stress that the business community can also become involved, not only in this scheme but in other Trust-related sponsorship aspects.

Any business wishing to consider sponsorship of the Trust or any of its community benefiting schemes should contact us.

We are also looking for a main sponsor and have a range of sponsorship packages available to interested parties

The Trust's Community Liaison Committee is also pleased to announce that, after talks with the club's directors parking spaces have been reserved to the rear of the North Bank.

These will be allocated to senior citizens, supporters over the age of 80 and people with mobility problems in receipt of DLA. Proof of both will be required.

Requests from other individuals will be considered on their merit.

Spaces are limited to 10 in total and we will try to allocate these to those in most need.

Please contact Brian Rees, Community Liaison Officer, on the Trust's mobile no 07977382328 or by e-mail on jacksup47@hotmail.com. Additionally, please feel free to contact the Trust if you encounter any access problems relating to attendance etc, which you feel should be drawn to the club's attention."

Members are reminded that the Trust Board elections will take place over the next two months. The process will involve a secret postal ballot of all members eligible to vote and this process will be overseen by an independent professional Returning Officer.

Ballot papers will be sent out during the second week in October with the results being announced at the Trust's AGM on Wednesday November 19.

Trust rules deem that this year, six current board members must stand down, although they are of course eligible to stand for re election.

The Trust wishes to encourage members to consider standing for election to the Trust Board and would ask any interested member to contact us for details of registration etc as soon as possible.

The Trust can be contacted in the usual ways: phone Debbie Rees on 07977 382328 (9am-10pm), write to Swansea City Supporters' Trust, PO Box 314, Swansea, SA1 7XB, or e-mail debbie.rees@swanstrust.com

Swansea City 3 Macclesfield Town 0

BIRTHDAY boy Leon Britton began another night of frantic goal action at the Vetch with his first successful strike in senior football.

Britton put the icing on his 21st birthday cake with the first-half opener that set Swansea on the way to another impressive home win and moved them back to the top of the Third Division.

It's now four home wins out of four for Brian Flynn's men this season and 14 goals means Swans supporters are getting the sort of value for money they have not enjoyed for a long time.

Flynn's attacking options appear boundless despite a lengthy injury list and Macclesfield were left gasping for breath even though top goalscorer Lee Trundle, for once, could not find his way onto the scoresheet.

This time the predatory honours went to Britton, Richard Duffy - the teenager also claiming his first senior goal on his first Vetch start - and Andy Robinson whose finish three minutes into the second half effectively ended the match as a contest.

Sadly, such rich entertainment was played out before the Vetch's lowest crowd of the season - 6,641 - with Champions League football on the television providing a powerful counter attraction.

Such was the Vetch Field injury crisis that the joke going around Swansea was that anyone with a spare pair of boots was on stand-by for Flynn's squad.

The casualty list had grown to 10 at one point on Monday but those problems had eased sufficiently for Brad Maylett to start after ankle damage and James Thomas, Lenny Johnrose and Karl Connolly to make the bench.

That allowed Flynn to make only one change from the side that drew 2-2 at Scunthorpe on Saturday, Kristian O'Leary returning at the back in place of the injured Leon Hylton.

No amount of injuries though had threatened to knock Swansea out of their Vetch stride at the start of the season. Bury and Mansfield had both been hit for four and Boston had been swept aside 3-0 in an unblemished opening to the home campaign.

Despite picking up a modest seven points from as many games, Macclesfield had lost only twice and were expected to provide more durable opposition. But the Silkmen were carved open after only a minute when Britton almost had instant cause for celebration when he rolled a delightfully weighted pass inside left-back Danny Adams for Maylett to break into space.

Maylett matched Britton's intelligence by waiting for support, cleverly pulling the ball back for Trundle who was denied his ninth goal by Boaz Myhill's alertness.

Maylett added to Swansea's bright start by flashing a fourth-minute volley over the crossbar but the winger was crudely cut down by a tackle that earned Adams a caution.

Swansea were indulging in some neat one-touch passing that was easy on the eye and again nearly found a route to goal inside the full-back. This time the threat came down the left where Michael Howard surged into the box.

In a move that would not have been recognised by Arsenal’s Robert Pires, Howard withstood Michael Welch's challenge when, had he fallen, referee Richard Beeby would have had a difficult decision to make.

But Howard kept his feet and Myhill, racing off his line, did enough to divert a shot that looped agonisingly over the bar. Steve Macauley became the second player booked for ending Trundle's weaving run and that was a dangerous tactic given Mark Wilson's ability from dead-ball situations.

Loan signing Wilson tested Myhill from 20 yards and then whistled a 25-yarder past the static goal

er after leaving a couple of defenders trailing in his wake.

A goal just had to come and it duly did after former Swan Karl Munroe had again been at full-stretch to divert Howard's cross-cum-shot over. Britton picked a loose ball up in space and skipped past Welch before running on and slotting his shot through Myhill's legs.

Britton's wait for a senior goal had been a long one and he was determined to milk the moment as he raced towards the North Bank before being swamped by jubilant team-mates.

The breakthrough stirred the visitors from their slumber and Duffy did brilliantly to

the Swans ahead with a brave block. And 10 minutes later Duffy turned up in the other penalty area to double Swansea's advantage.

Maylett capped a fine first-half effort with another dangerous centre and Duffy stole space inside the six-yard area to power home.

The only sour note for Swansea was a booking for Izzy Iriekpen on the back of his red card at Scunthorpe but any thoughts that Macclesfield had of a revival were ruined in controversial fashion within three minutes of the restart.

The fleet-footed Maylett was again the provider with a deep cross towards Kevin Nugent whose header hit a defender. When the ball dropped back to him Nugent found Robinson who ignored Macclesfield claims for offside to rifle home left-footed for his third Swansea goal.

Myhill stopped Trundle, Nugent and Robinson from adding a fourth before a final whistle was met by huge cheers and a Vetch chorus of Happy Birthday for Britton.

BOSS Brian Flynn warned his injured stars face a battle to win back their places after another Vetch Field romp sent Swansea City back to the top of the Third Division last night.

The Swans swept aside Macclesfield Town 3-0 to claim a fourth straight home win and underline their promotion credentials before another 6,500-plus crowd.

And the latest victory was achieved without the likes of skipper Roberto Martinez, James Thomas, Karl Connolly, Leon Hylton and Jason Smith, the Swans showing the necessary strength in depth to maintain their Third Division challenge.

"I'd have to agree with you and say it would be difficult to change that side," purred Flynn after first senior goals from Leon Britton and Richard Duffy and another from Andy Robinson capped an excellent team performance.

"When everybody is back I am going to have some wonderful problems picking the team. But that's what I'm trying to do here, improve the club at all levels. It's all about competition for places."

Swansea have now scored 14 goals in four home matches and they could have easily doubled the three that hapless Macclesfield conceded inside 48 minutes.

And, although Lee Trundle failed to cap an impressive individual show with his ninth goal of the season, Swansea again showed a wide range of attacking options.

"We have got a big threat from all areas," said Flynn. "Kevin Nugent is a bit of an unsung hero, he leads the line well and gets on the end of good chances.

"He hasn't got a goal but he's had another excellent game and he allows Trundle to feed off him. Brad Maylett is a threat out wide and then we've got Britton and Robinson coming through the middle.

"Mark Wilson has also got great ability and can score goals. He's a quality player who wants to play for us, so all round the team we look as if we can score goals."

Flynn said he was delighted by Britton's first senior goal, the former West Ham youngster choosing the occasion of his 21st birthday to end his drought and start a Vetch Field party.

"He's got himself into some good positions and

ers have made saves," he said. "But I was really pleased for him - a goal on his birthday.

"It was a good build-up and he has been desperate for a goal. Hopefully there will be a few more from him now."

Swansea battered the Macclesfield defence from the first minute with the visitors' defence leading a charmed life until Britton broke the deadlock after 33 minutes.

Duffy then headed home the second on the stroke of half-time before Robinson added a third three minutes after the restart, despite possibly being in an offside position from Nugent's pass.

"It was a good win and what I would call a proper win," said Flynn. "It was a good result but I was also pleased that we restricted them to very few chances.

"In the Boston and Mansfield games it took us 45 minutes to get going. But we started brightly, finished the first half brightly and also played well in the second.

"We were a bit fortuitous against Boston but I'm delighted with this win. We've now got 16 points from eight games and that's more than a solid start.

"It's a good start and hopefully we can build on that and make it even better against Huddersfield on Saturday."

On 18-year-old goal hero Duffy - who was making his first Vetch start before being withdrawn in the second half - Flynn added, "He's got a knack of getting into the right areas. He got a couple in pre-season and he's done it again, getting on the end of a dangerous cross."

The Morfa athletics arena in Swansea will be no more by the weekend.

Work is underway to demolish the landmark complex to make way for a new 20,000 all-seater football and rugby stadium for the city.

Built in 1980, it has staged Welsh and British athletics championships as well as many pop and rock concerts.

But since an agreement was reached to relocate Swansea football club and the new Neath and Swansea regional rugby side to the site little has been spent on its up

.

We are using a long reach excavator to nibble away at the stadium structure.

Athletes have been forced to train and compete elsewhere but have been promised £3m worth of new facilities in Swansea after a successful funding application to Sportlot.

As well as the new sport stadium, developer Capital and Regional is also creating a shopping and leisure complex with stores, including B&Q and Morrisons, three restaurants and a health and fitness club on the land.

Seventy workers are on site demolishing the stadium.

Kevin Dickson, project manager for Miller Construction which is carrying out the demolition, said work had already started on the new shopping development.

The first commercial unit to be developed will be the B&Q site.

"The demolition of the stadium is under way," said Mr Dickson.

"We are using a long reach excavator to nibble away at the stadium structure.

"We hope to finish the demolition work by the end of the week and clear the site of material and rubble within about four weeks."

Work has also started on constructing a new road into the retail and leisure complex.

Construction of the new stadium is expected to begin in November.

BRIAN FLYNN has vowed to beat the freak injury crisis that has enveloped the Vetch Field.

The Swans chief will prepare his side for tonight's Third Division home clash against Macclesfield Town without eight of his senior players.

Flynn is unable to call on skipper Roberto Martinez, Brad Maylett, Leon Hylton, James Thomas, James Smith and Karl Connolly. But he is hoping Lenny Johnrose and Lee Jenkins are fit enough to figure against the Silkmen, probably from the bench.

The former Wrexham boss admitted he is currently facing the worst injury crisis of his 14-year managerial career. And he called on the young players at the club, such as Richard Duffy and Antonio Corbisiero, to stake their claims.

After losing at Yeovil but salvaging a draw at Scunthorpe on Saturday, Flynn wants his fourth-placed Swans to return to winning ways against struggling Macclesfield.

"What has happened here is a freak, a one-off," said Flynn, whose squad has been decimated by injury. "In all my years as a manager, I've never had an injury situation as bad as this one. The situation was bad before the game at Scunthorpe but now we have lost Leon Hylton after he turned his ankle in training.

"But I've got to remain upbeat. You can't use injuries as an excuse. When you have so many players out, it is going to be difficult. Our squad has been stretched to the very limit.

"But I do have options for the Macclesfield game. We've now lost Leon but there is an outside chance that Lenny (Johnrose) and Lee (Jenkins) will be involved."

Johnrose has been sidelined with a hamstring problem while Jenkins has been nursing an ankle injury.

Connolly is recovering from a calf problem, Martinez and Jonathan Coates are both out with knee injuries while Smith, Thomas, Hylton, Maylett and Stuart Jones are sidelined with ankle injuries.

"This is now a good opportunity for my young players to show what they can do," added Flynn.

"Richard Duffy has been doing that. He has been outstanding. For the youngsters, this is their chance. It's up to them to come in and do the job.

"I had three youngsters on the bench on Saturday - Corbisiero, Brian Murphy and Mark Pritchard - and I'm sure youngsters will be involved against Macclesfield. You've got to give the young players a chance."

Macclesfield are still looking for their first away win of the campaign but Flynn insists the Silkmen will provide "a good test" for his injury-ravaged Swans.

"Macclesfield are a good footballing side. They like to pass the ball about," he said.

"In Martin Carruthers they have someone who can score goals and I've always liked Danny Whitaker in midfield."

VETCH Field stalwart Roger Freestone has hailed the present Swansea City side as the most entertaining he has played in.

The 35-year-old goal

er had played in many Swansea teams since moving to the Vetch in 1991 - and he reckons Brian Flynn's 2003-04 model is the most attack-minded of the lot.

So far this season the free-scoring Swans have hit 17 goals in their first seven league matches and in eight-goal striker Lee Trundle they have the Third Division's leading goalscorer.

And Freestone is hoping his team-mates are once again able to find the net with ease in tonight's home clash against lowly Macclesfield Town.

The Swans have slipped from pole position to fourth after collecting one point from their last two matches. But they are looking to bounce back against the Silkmen who are searching for their second win of the campaign.

"This is the most entertaining Swansea side I've played in," said Freestone.

"It's the complete opposite to the one that won the Third Division championship three years ago.

"We are scoring a lot of goals although we are struggling to

clean sheets at the moment.

"But as long as we score more than we let in then everybody's happy."

The Swans have scored four against Bury, Cheltenham and Mansfield and put three past Boston.

But they have managed to

just one clean sheet so far and that came in the 3-0 home win over Boston nearly a month ago.

"Lee Trundle will score goals in whatever division he plays in. Alongside him there's Kevin Nugent who doesn't score many goals but look at how many he creates," enthused the former Chelsea man.

"Our midfield players like Leon Britton and Brad Maylett are very attack-minded. Everybody here is confident on the ball, from one to 11.

"The team that won the championship under John Hollins played with a different philosophy.

"We kept 30 clean sheets in 46 matches that season which was a magnificent achievement - but we won a lot of our games 1-0.

"Managers today seem to be more attack-minded and the gaffer (Flynn) has introduced his own system.

"Different managers put different teams together. The gaffer has put this team together and it's a very attacking one.

"The system we are playing means we are always going to score goals. If we concede any then so be it - as long as we outscore the opposition and that's what we have been doing on the whole.

"The manager is comfortable with the system and so are we. Long may it continue."

Flynn's side currently guarantees entertainment - along with Cheltenham and Hartlepool they are the Football League's highest scorers.

Freestone, who has recently ousted Brian Murphy from the first team, wants his side to build on Saturday's exciting 2-2 draw at Glanford Park.

"It was disappointing to lose at Yeovil but we came away from Scunthorpe with a point," he said.

"After losing one match it was important not to lose two on the trot.

"We're back at the Vetch after two away games and it really is important we win our home matches.

"Winning the home games is so important. If you can do that and then pick up some points away then you will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season."

On his own position, Freestone added, "It's nice to be back in the team. I'm enjoying my football but then I've always enjoyed it."

Swansea City have failed in a bid to bring Alan Tate back to Vetch Field on loan. Boss Brian Flynn targeted the Manchester United youngster for a second stint after his highly successful seven-month stay in South Wales last season.

The 20-year-old centre-back was keen to return, but Old Trafford chief Sir Alex Ferguson vetoed the move.

''I would love to come back but Sir Alex wants me to face a different challenge now,'' said the 6ft 1in defender.

''I played for Swansea in the Third Division last season and he doesn't want me to go and do the same again.''

Tate, who recently rejected a three-month loan to Scottish Premier side Livingston, added: ''My contract with United is up at the end of the season, but hopefully I will get a new one and the lads at Swansea will get promoted to the Second Division.

''I think then I will be able to come and play for Swansea again, but for now I don't think I'll be going on loan anywhere.

''Once I knew I wasn't going back to Swansea, I didn't want to go anywhere.''

Swansea's need for a central defender only deepened over the weekend when Leon Hylton limped out of the 2-2 draw with Scunthorpe.

The ex-Aston Villa defender has damaged an ankle, taking the list of senior professionals out of tomorrow's home clash with Macclesfield to nine.

''I don't think any of the injured players will be back,'' said Flynn, who also showed an interest in young Southampton defender Gary Monk last week.

''Lenny Johnrose is getting close, but we're not going to rush anybody back only to see them break down again.

''I think it's obvious we need to get someone in defensively, especially with Leon out as well now. We'll be looking at that this week.''

Izzy Iriekpen's red card at Glanford Park has only added to Swansea's problems as he now faces a ban.

Flynn's men recovered from the former West Ham player's dismissal, though, to pick up a creditable point against the odds.

While 18-year-old Richard Duffy was outstanding in defence, Lee Trundle again stole the headlines with both Swansea goals.

''I

saying it, but Lee is a constant headache for defenders,'' Flynn added.

''There's always an edge to him and he can

this form going. I don't know what sort of target he will have set himself for the season, but what I do know is that if we

getting the ball to him, he will

scoring goals.''

Huw Jenkins today urged the club's fans to play their part in making Swansea a Second Division force within two years. The Swansea chairman wants the momentum built up since last season's dramatic fight for Third Division survival to carry the club all the way to 15-20,000 crowds at the Morfa Stadium in autumn 2005.

''Everybody at the club, the public and the business community has to work to

the momentum up for the rest of this season and beyond,'' he said. ''As a board we realise we must make the right decisions to bring the right players in and

the playing side moving forward, but we cannot do that without everybody else's help.

''It has a great deal to do with performances on the pitch, we realise that, but we need the public to help by

ing crowd levels up.

''It's simple. The more people we have coming through the turnstiles, the more money we'll have available to strengthen the side and the better quality players Brian Flynn will be able to bring in."

Swansea host Macclesfield tomorrow and then Third Division heavyweights Huddersfield Town in an all-ticket clash on Saturday with the club's owners hoping for bumper turn-outs.

Their three home matches so far this season have attracted crowds of 8,800, 9,000 and 6,900. ''We averaged 5,500 last season and based our financial plans on that figure," added Jenkins. ''We have been pleasantly surprised by the crowds we've had so far. If they carry on we'll have much more cash to spend on the team.

''This is a crucial time for us. We have a great opportunity with the Morfa on the horizon and it's vital that we grasp that with both hands.''

A Couple of penalties, a sending-off and four goals before a gripping protection job in the last 10 minutes. Welcome, Mark Wilson, to the wacky world of Swansea City. ''I'm not sure how many games like that the ticker will be able to take,'' smiled the latest arrival at Vetch Field.

''It was tough out there and we really had our helmets on for the bombardment at the end.''

The Middlesbrough midfielder, parachuted in on a month's loan last Friday night, had needed to take cover rather earlier.

In what has to be one of the most disastrous openings to any Swansea debut, the man who two summers ago moved from Manchester United to The Riverside for £1.5million gave away a penalty in almost the first move of the match.

''I lost my runner (Matt Sparrow) and had hold of his shirt," he conceded. ''It wasn't the greatest of starts for me.''

And there began the latest 90-minute knuckle ride of this most pulsating Swansea season.

''I was just praying the lad would miss," added the new boy.

Kevin Sharp did, blazing high over Roger Freestone's bar. Three minutes gone and Welsh emotions had already taken a first turn in the mangle.

''We could do with a few 0-0s," said boss Brian Flynn,

ing his head as usual while all around were losing theirs.

After six Third Division thrillers out of seven, there is a sense that he really means it.

''Everything happened in that game - it was incident packed from the first minute to the last,'' he continued.

''We were hanging on at the end admittedly, but to get a 2-2 at Glanford Park with nine players injured and one sent off is quite an achievement.''

That Swansea did was thanks in no small part to another slice of Lee Trundle class.

All the days and weeks Flynn spent trying to lure the Scouser to South Wales in the summer become all the more worthwhile by the week.

Trundle's arrival, more than any other factor, has been key in turning Flynn's squad from relegation candidates to promotion material.

''He showed what a fantastic talent he is,'' said Scunthorpe-born Wilson. ''He scored goals at Wrexham and he's got eight already for Swansea which is some start.''

No. 7 came just seven minutes in at Glanford Park, when Trundle's good footwork flummoxed Cliff Byrne and then an almost impossible near-post shot embarrassed Tom Evans in the Scunthorpe goal.

The Iron were level within moments thanks to Alex Calvo-Garcia and went ahead when their second penalty of the afternoon came on the hour mark.

Izzy Iriekpen was exposed by Steve MacLean's run and, though Flynn grumbled afterwards, the resulting red card for Swansea's white-booted centre-back was inevitable.

Scunthorpe appeared to be turning sour for the visitors as MacLean stroked home from the spot, but the double setback stirred them for the final half hour.

Trundle, the Nationwide League's player of the month for August, steered home No. 8 of the campaign from Kevin Nugent's flick on, then the rearguard took centre stage.

Wilson stamped some top-flight quality on Swansea's midfield, and behind a defence which might easily have been lining up for the reserve team a couple of weeks ago repelled one of Division Three's more accomplished attacking sides.

There was no Jason Smith, Lee Jenkins or Stuart Jones anyway, then Leon Hylton limped off after Scunthorpe's second goal.

Michael Howard, Kris O'Leary, Brad Maylett and teenager Richard Duffy were charged with protecting a point in the frantic closing stages and they succeeded. Just.

''We would have lost that game last season,'' Flynn added. ''But we are much better now. The team and the club have moved on and we've got more quality even when we've got nine players out.

''I thought Richard Duffy was magnificent considering he's only just 18 and that was his full debut.

''He did well at right-back, then he moved into the centre after the sending-off and did just as well there even with the threats Scunthorpe have up front.

''He's composed and confident and read every danger. He was immense in the last 15 minutes.''

Swansea-product Duffy was not the only hero as Flynn's men battled to hold on.

Freestone produced one of his best displays for some time while Maylett, a right-winger designed to attack, managed a decent impersonation of a right-back, clearing off the line from Paul Hayes with his goal

er beaten.

Byrne headed over a couple of times, then O'Leary deflected a fierce Ian Kilford drive just wide of the post as Swansea clung on for a first draw of the season.

''It was real backs-to-the-wall stuff at the end," added Wilson, catching his breath after his whirlwind beginning in the hurly-burly land of the Nationwide League basement.

''But even with 10 men and 2-1 down, we didn't think it was all over. I've only just met the lads, but what has struck me already is the great spirit within this squad.

''We fought and scrapped it out and we got what we really deserved in the end.''

SWANSEA CITY hot-shot Lee Trundle is to be recommended to the Republic of Ireland.

The Western Mail can reveal what few people in Swansea or Welsh football as a whole will be aware of - that 26-year-old Trundle qualifies for the Republic through his Irish grandfather.

In explosive form for the Swans, Trundle tops the Third Division goal-scoring charts after taking his tally to eight in seven games with another dou- ble strike in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Scunthorpe.

And Swans boss Brian Flynn, who took Trundle to the Vetch from his old club Wrexham in the summer, has promised to bring the Liverpudlian to the attention of Brian Kerr.

The Ireland manager alrea- dy has reason for coming to South Wales with Graham Kav- anagh, Alan Lee, Willie Boland and Gareth Whalley just down the road at Cardiff City's Ninian Park.

"I was hoping that Lee might have a bit of Welsh in him, but sadly that's not the case!" smiled Flynn.

"He tells me that he's eligible to play for the Republic and I'll be speaking to Brian Kerr to advise him of that.

"It's then up to Brian to de- cide whether he wants to come and have a look at Lee or send someone to watch him."

Flynn, who introduced Trundle to professional football by taking him from Welsh Premier outfit Rhyl to Wrexham in 2001, went on, "I don't think it matters that he's playing Third Division football.

"The important thing is he's playing well and scoring lots of goals.

"Lee would certainly offer Ireland something a little bit different.

"He's been a constant headache to defenders this season and he will continue to score goals as long as he gets the service."

Were he to make the big international breakthrough, Trundle would not be the first Scouser to represent the Republic.

Former Newport County striker John Aldridge, who won 69 caps in 11 years between 1986 and 1997, and Sunderland's Jason McAteer are two of the most famous Merseysiders to pull on the green shirt of Ireland.

And Trundle, already a firm favourite among the Vetch fai- th ful with his distinctive Mohican haircut and white boots, is desperately hoping for the chance to follow in their footsteps.

"My grandad is Irish, I've got a lot of Irish connections and so I've always wanted to play for Ireland," said the left- footed striker.

"I'm having a fantastic time at Swansea and I'd be thrilled if someone from the Republic did come to watch me.

"A League of Ireland player was called into the squad for a friendly recently so there's definitely hope for me.

"I think Division Three is a better standard and it's not as if the Republic are blessed with too many strikers at the moment.

"As the gaffer (Flynn) has said to me, I might not get the chance so I don't want to get my hopes up too much.

"But I wanted the Ireland manager to at least be aware that I'm eligible to play for them. Who knows what might happen. If I

playing well and scoring goals for Swansea, there's always a chance someone will be watching."

Trundle claimed a stunning first-half goal at Glanford Park before rescuing a point for a Swansea side reduced to 10 men when defender Izzy Iriekpen was sent off for a professional foul.

"It was great to get the second goal with my right foot for a change," said Trundle.

"To be fair, it was a great team effort. To go down to 10 men and get a point at Scunthorpe is a great result."

FIRST impressions might not have been too favourable, but Mark Wilson has promised Swansea City fans the best is yet to come after making the giant drop down from the Premiership.

For a man who spent seven years at the footballing Mecca of Manchester United, Wilson is staking his reputation on a four-week loan spell at the Vetch after his career slipped into reverse gear at Middlesbrough.

So, with Swansea counting on him to help ease an injury crisis that has now claimed a ninth first-team player, the last thing he would have wanted was to concede a penalty just three minutes into his first game.

After that early embarrassment - fortunately for him, the spot-kick was blazed high over the crossbar - Wilson had a solid, if not spectacular, debut as the Swans chiselled out a point from a thrilling Glanford Park encounter.

But boss Brian Flynn, who hopes to bring in another defender ahead of tomorrow's visit of Macclesfield after Leon Hylton was added to the out-injured list, has promised Wilson's Premiership pedigree will soon shine through.

And the former England Under-21 international, who followed Steve McClaren from Old Trafford to the Riverside Stadium in August 2001, insists he will improve on his first outing in a Swans shirt.

"It wasn't the best of starts, but given a few games, I'm confident I can get back to the player I was," said Wilson, intriguingly back in his native Scunthorpe on Saturday.

"When you're stuck in the reserves like I have been at Middlesbrough, you end up losing your buzz for football.

"The idea of me coming to Swansea is to get that buzz back as well as regaining full fitness.

"Once that happens I will be back on top of my game and performing as I know I can.

"I'm at Swansea for a month to start with, but if I have the chance to stay and carry on playing week in, week out then I will do.

"Coming down to Division Three is a big drop, but I'm not a player who is too proud to come and play league football."

Wilson, stuck behind the likes of Juninho, Gaizka Mendieta, George Boateng and Jonathan Greening in Boro's midfield pecking order, said he had jumped at the chance to link up with the Swans on Friday.

"I know the gaffer very well - he took me on loan at Wrexham a few years ago - and I had no hesitation in joining Swansea," said Wilson.

"I know from the time I spent with him at Wrexham that he loves to play good football and that's the reason Swansea are up towards the top of the table.

"There are some good games coming up here and I'm looking forward to being involved."

Perhaps someone should tell Wilson that Swansea matches are the kind that come attached with a government health warning these days.

Carrying more injuries than an entire series of Emergency Ward Ten, Swansea took a well-deserved point from another absorbing 90-minute spectacle.

It was end-to-end drama at its very best, right from Wilson's early blunder to the moment Brad Maylett preserved a point by hooking a shot off the line with two minutes to go.

Two more superb goals from Lee Trundle - the first following more of his left-foot magic - and the former Wrexham ace is being talked about in Republic of Ireland terms.

But if it's international call-ups you want, embattled Wales Under-21 manager Jimmy Shoulder could do worse than take a look at Swansea defensive starlet Richard Duffy.

The youngster, making his first League start, scarcely put a foot wrong, switching smoothly from right-back to the centre of defence when Izzy Iriekpen was sent off for committing a professional foul.

"For a lad making his senior debut at the age of 18, he was magnificent," purred Flynn.

"To go from right-back to the centre and deal with the threat Scunthorpe presented was excellent.

"His overall performance was pleasing, but when he had to go across after Izzy was sent off, I thought Richard was immense."

That is just as well because unless Flynn does make another dip into the loan market, Duffy could be asked to perform a similar role against Macclesfield.

Hylton is the latest admission to the treatment room after limping out of Saturday's action with a sore ankle and Flynn is not expecting him or anyone else to be back tomorrow.

"The nearest one to coming back is Lenny Johnrose, but even he is doubtful for Macclesfield," he said.

"Nine professionals out injured - you can't put words to it.

"Mark (Wilson) has come in, and it's possible I'll be back on the telephone Monday morning seeing who else is available.

"Defence is the area we need to look at. Izzy can play for the next couple of games, but then we face the prospect of losing him through suspension.

"I'm not naming any names, but I have a few players on my list to look at.

"I just hope the injury problems start clearing up soon. It can't go on like this. The run of bad luck has to end somewhere and the sooner it does, the better."

BRIAN FLYNN will today decide whether to appeal against the second-half dismissal of defender Izzy Iriekpen for a professional foul.

The injury-ravaged Swans can ill afford to have Irikepen suspended for three games after he was red carded for bringing down Scunthorpe striker Steve MacLean.

And boss Flynn said, "We've got no complaints about the penalty - it was a definite foul - but it's a question of whether Izzy was the last man. The referee has promised to look at a video of the incident and we'll see what he has to say."

Flynn added, "Considering the fact we were down to 10 men and without so many players going into the game, a 2-2 draw at Glanford Park is a very good result. Scunthorpe is a tough place to come and I would've been pleased with the result even if we had a full-strength team out.

"It was another incident-packed game from the first minute to the last, though we could perhaps do with a few 0-0s somewhere along the line!"

TWO-GOAL striker Lee Trundle said he thrived on being wound up by the Scunthorpe supporters.

Trundle risked the wrath of the referee by gesticulating at home fans behind the goal after opening the scoring on seven minutes with a stunning left-foot strike.

"I did that was because they were giving me a bit of stick before I scored and I thought the goal would have shut them up," said the 26-year-old Scouser.

"I get that kind of thing wherever I go, but to me it has the same effect as Swansea fans singing my name - I thrive on it.

"If you're not doing your job, people wouldn't be bothered about you, but if the away fans are shouting things at you, it shows you're hurting them.

"To get a point at Scunthorpe when we were down to 10 men is brilliant and it shows how far we've come since last season.

"They might have scored late on, but we dug in and showed a huge determination to get a point from the game."

BRIAN LAWS pointed the finger of blame at his defence after Scunthorpe failed to take advantage of having an extra man for the last 30 minutes.

"We are not going to get promoted if we

conceding goals like these two against Swansea," said Iron manager Laws. "We equalised after Trundle opened the scoring for them, but when you miss a penalty (Kevin Sharp fired a spot-kick over the bar after three minutes), you know you're going to rue that and we did.

"There was not a lot wrong with our performance - in fact I was very pleased with many aspects of it - but we showed just how fragile we are at dealing with dead-ball situations.

"We've worked hard in training on set-plays to give the players more confidence, but as soon as we got on the pitch we didn't deal with them.

"We allowed Trundle to get a second goal - resulting from a free-kick - and, though we came close towards the end, it was disappointing not to capitalise on Swansea going a man down."

"IT was another brave performance from the Swans and, bearing in mind we had so many players out injured and went down to 10 men, a more than decent result," said Ryan Hamilton from Gorseinon.

"We rode our luck at times but sometimes that's the way it goes. I kind of felt the game would go in our favour after Scunthorpe missed a penalty early in the game and Lee Trundle put us in front with a good goal.

"But I wasn't so confident when Scunthorpe got back in to it and we lost Iriekpen in the second-half.

"It seemed almost certain they would get a winning goal because of the pressure they were putting on us, but we did well to hold on.

"Hopefully, we are yet to see the best of Mark Wilson and I think we could do with another player coming in on loan.

"Young Richard Duffy did very well, but we still look as if we're going to concede goals and I would be happy if we could get in an experienced defender to help out at the back."

3 - Mark Wilson gets his Swansea career off to a nightmare start when he concedes a penalty for tugging back winger Matt Sparrow. But Swansea are let off the hook when Kevin Sharp balloons the spot-kick over the crossbar

7 - Brad Maylett feeds Lee Trundle and the striker puts Swansea in front with a sweet left-foot strike from the tightest of angles

9 - Alex Calvo-Garcia draws Scunthorpe level

37 - Roger Freestone makes a marvellous reflex save to prevent former Swan Steve Torpey putting Scunthorpe in front

58 - Swansea are reduced to 10 men when defender Izzy Iriekpen is red carded for bringing down striker Steve MacLean

60 - MacLean converts the spot-kick low to Freestone's left to put the Iron 2-1 up

63 - Kevin Nugent flicks on Kris O'Leary's free-kick and Trundle restores parity with a rare right-footed strike

68 - Freestone

s Swansea in the game with another great save

88 - Maylett to the rescue this time when he hooks a Paul Hayes effort off the line as Scunthorpe lay siege to Swansea's goal in search of the winner

LEON HYLTON suffered a sore ankle to take the number of walking wounded at the Vetch to nine. Hylton is not expected to recover in time for the visit of Macclesfield tomorrow.

SIX DAYS ago Swansea boss Brian Flynn cracked open a bottle of chilled Moet after lifting the Nationwide Third Division Manager of the Month Award for August.

It was a minute chunk of self-indulgence from the former Wales and Burnley dynamo who knows titles and promotions are not clinched just five weeks into a campaign that promises much.

Port Talbot-born Flynn, 47, was raised on harsh realism from the Sandfields Estate.

One of the smallest players ever to chip a living out of the callous world of pro soccer, the Welshman's career is studded by 66 Wales caps and stops at Turf Moor, Leeds, Cardiff and Wrexham.

But Flynn's most precious managerial asset is his logical mind, patience and Midas touch. All three qualities were utilised during his 13 years at the Racecourse.

Put simply, through prudent financial manoeuvring and a good relationship with former Wrexham chairman Pryce Griffiths, Flynn built a football club in the true sense of the word.

A revamped Racecourse and a £2m training ground at Colliers Park is a testimony to his work - as, he hopes, a First Division Swansea playing out of a £20m, 20,000 all-seater home at the Morfa Stadium by 2008 will be.

Sipping the bubbly, Flynn said: "Planning must be over a number of years.

"It comes in three different categories: short, medium and long term - you just hope to be around long enough for the conclusion."

He added: "We have a catastrophic injury crisis at the Vetch right now. I have barely 14 professionals fit.

"But a season is over 46 games so there's bound to be a few hiccups along the way."

Club skipper Roberto Martinez, Lenny Johnrose, Jason Smith, Jon Coates, James Thomas, Stuart Jones, Karl Connolly and Lee Jenkins are all in the sickbay.

The stricken eight are probably not available for the home dates with Macclesfield on Tuesday and Huddersfield four days later.

But Flynn prefers to accentuate the positive.

He said: "Maybe people are surprised with the start we've made this season, particularly after we saved our Football League status on the last day against Hull in May.

"But our form now is simply an extension of what happened in the final 20 matches of the last campaign. We took 31 points during that sequence, quite a renaissance from what happened previously.

"But the most important factor this summer was getting the lads in for six weeks of intense pre-season training."

Flynn added names like Lee Trundle, Brian Murphy, Brad Maylett, Andy Robinson, Ezzy Iriekpen, Leon Hylton, Leon Britton and Kieron Durkan to a spine of experience.

The ex-Wrexham chief has mixed an intriguing Swansea cocktail also linking Martinez, Kevin Nugent and Johnrose with the exuberant youth of Stuart Jones, Antonio Corbisiero, Chris Duffy, Jamie Rewbury and Southampton rookie Richard Jones.

And the word is that former Travel House partner Martin Morgan, the man who owns the plush five-star Morgan Hotel near Swansea's fashionable Marina district, will join the Vetch board soon.

The Swans might expect an injection of cash from the 40-something millionaire.

But, either way, Flynn is full of praise for the current Swansea directors, saying: "It's so important a manager has a good rapport with his chairman and directors.

"I've had terrific support from the Swans board. In a three-month period Kevin Reeves and myself released or paid up nine players and drafted in 11.

"Like me, the directors knew change was critical."

Flynn's attempts to bolster further over the last 48 hours did hit the buffers, though.

Manchester United midfielder Neil Wood opted for Peterborough while Southampton defender Andy Monk decided to stay at St Mary's Stadium.

But Middlesbrough schemer Mark Wilson is the latest new Swan.

The 24-year-old, who landed at the Riverside in a £1.5m move from Old Trafford in 2001, is on a month's loan.

Scunthorpe-born Wilson found it difficult to break past Gaizka Mendieta, George Boateng, Paulista Juninho, Stuart Parnaby and Carlos Marinelli on Teesside, so expect canny Flynn to try and secure the ex-England under-21 international permanently.

Scunthorpe boss Brian Laws was bitterly disappointed after watching his side "throw away" three points after bossing the game for long periods against ten-man Swansea.

He admitted: "We worked very hard during the week, hoping to build confidence - but one thing's for certain, we're not going to get promoted if we concede goals like that.

"There's not a lot wrong. In fact there's a lot going right - but we're very frail at the moment, particularly from dead balls."

United have now drawn two on the trot and Laws said: "We'll have to put more onus on the strikers to score more goals.

"We need to win games, and I don't think it's amiss of me to say that, taking the Mansfield game away, we should have maximum points.

"Everyone's saying how well we've been playing, dominating games, and I'm disappointed that we've thrown another three points away that we deserved."

IRON HAVE TO SETTLE FOR A DRAW

Scunthorpe Utd 2 v 2 Swansea Scunthorpe bossed the game for long periods but failed to cash in against ten men, leaving Kevin Sharp to lament a missed spot kick.

Midfielder Matt Sparrow returned for the Iron following a three game suspension and took the place of Wayne Graves, who was banned after his red card in the 2-1 win over Torquay last weekend.

Scunthorpe missed an outstanding chance to open the scoring on three minutes when Sharp blasted his penalty over after Sparrow was nudged in the area by Mark Wilson.

And the hosts were soon made to pay when Swans' striker Lee Trundle grabbed a fine solo goal on seven minutes, topping off a mazy dribble with a crisp shot from 18 yards.

But Scunthorpe were level within two minutes, slack defending allowing Alex Calvo-Garcia to drill in a shot from eight yards following Nathan Stanton's low cross.

Scunthorpe grew in stature and were rewarded with another penalty on 57 minutes. Scottish midfielder Steve MacLean was felled and stepped up to convert the kick while Izzy Iriekpen saw red for his rash challenge.

But high-flying Swansea levelled on the hour as Trundle pounced from close range and held out heroically as the hosts surged forward in search of the winner.

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.