Lee Jenkins is relishing the chance to play at Vetch Field one last time tomorrow as part of Kidderminster's Swansea City clique. The Harriers will not need directions to the dressing rooms, for the travelling party will be packed with faces who once stood behind the door marked home.

Midfielder-cum-full-back Jenkins was a Swansea player for seven years, making almost 200 appearances before leaving for Kidderminster nine months ago.

The enigmatic Richie Appleby, for all his problems with injury, was a favourite with fans during a five-year stint in South Wales, while fellow winger Stuart Roberts was being saluted by the North Bank only a few months ago.

And then there is the manager, Jan Molby, arguably Swansea's most popular boss in the last two decades although his reign lasted just 20 months.

''There's a whole bunch of us at Kidderminster,'' Jenkins says, ''and we've got our own little corner in the dressing room.

''Me and Stuart are the only Taffs at the club so we get a bit of stick off the English boys and have to stick together - and we've adopted Appers as one of our own.''

Jenkins and Appleby appear certain to start tomorrow while Roberts hopes to fight off competition for a place in Molby's three-man attack.

''Appers has been struggling with injuries for the last couple of years but he started last week and he looks to be putting those problems behind him now,'' Jenkins added. ''And Robbo scored in the first 30-odd seconds of his debut so he has been flying too.

''It's going to a big day coming back to Swansea for all three of us.''

Jenkins, from Pontypool, sprang to prominence at the Vetch during Molby's time in charge.

A teenage sensation, injuries hampered his progress somewhat, but the former Welsh Under-21 player served Swansea well.

''I had some great times there and a few less enjoyable moments,'' he adds.

''Going to Wembley in the play-offs was special, as was winning the championship in 2000.

''Then there was relegation the year after that, all the financial problems we went through together and more recently the relegation game against Hull.

''I'm looking forward to coming back because it will be a chance to play at the Vetch one last time before Swansea move to the new stadium.

''It'll be nice, too, to say goodbye to a few people at the club, because it all happened so quickly when I left that I never really got a chance.''

Whatever extra motivation a trip to an old club brings, Jenkins and Co should not really need it this weekend.

Five straight defeats - including the penalty shootout loss to Cardiff in the Carling Cup - have left Harriers hovering nervously around League Two's relegation zone and saw the manager given the dreaded vote of confidence by the chairman this week.

"Of course I hope I get a good reception from the Swansea fans," Jenkins went on, ''because I spent a big part of my life there and it still means a lot. But the most important thing for me is to try to help Kidderminster get a result.'

Swansea City stalwart Kristian O'Leary will probably share a joke or two with three old friends at Vetch Field tomorrow. But he is hoping to have the last laugh over Richie Appleby, Stuart Roberts and Lee Jenkins come 5pm.

The three ex-Swansea players will be part of Jan Molby's Kidderminster squad for the Coca-Cola League Two clash.

Appleby has played against his former club before with the Harriers, but for Roberts and Jenkins it will be their first time facing their old team.

O'Leary says that ex-Vetch boss Molby should not need to use any motivational techniques to inspire his old mates.

Whatever happens, though, for 90 minutes there probably won't be much reminiscing going on.

''Fortunately it's never been the case that I have had to go back to an old club,'' said O'Leary, who is in his 10th season at the Vetch, ''but I would have thought they would need geeing up.

''I know them all well having played with them for long periods in my career. It will be good to see them all again. I am glad to see they are all playing and doing well.

''I will see them before the game and we will meet up afterwards. We will still be friends whatever happens.

''At the end of the day I've got a job to do and I just have to get on with it. That means going out there and playing your normal game whoever the opposition is.''

Port Talbot-born O'Leary has seen a number of players come and go during his time with Swansea, but he reckons Appleby, Roberts and Jenkins have a lot to be proud of with what they achieved at the club.

''Richie has missed a lot of football through injuries but you cannot question his ability, he is a good player,'' added the 27-year-old.

''Jenks did really well for this club, too. He came in as a youngster under Jan Molby and did superbly.''

Jenkins made his debut for Swansea during Molby's reign and O'Leary says that the midfielder showed the same enthusiasm in the club's hour of need.

''No-one can argue with the amount of work he put in during the year we stayed up. He came in and played right back and did a fantastic job.''

As for Roberts, O'Leary knows just what the club meant to him.

''He left in unfortunate circumstances the first time and you could say it was something similar the second time,'' he said.

''He's a Swans fan, too, and it will be good to see him back at the Vetch.

''I don't think any of them have got anything to prove. I think they all showed what good players they are when they were here.

''They've all done different things for the club at different times in different circumstances.

''The crowd know that and I am sure they will give them a good welcome.''

Swansea will be targeting three points against the second-from-bottom side after slipping up at Yeovil last week.

A win tomorrow will see Kenny Jackett's side win back-to-back home matches following the 1-0 defeat of Lincoln City on Bank Holiday Monday.

Goals may well be at a premium at the Vetch with the two sides only managing to hit the net eight times between them in their seven league games to date.

Kenny Jackett goes in search of more home comforts tomorrow while admitting he is only just settling into life as Swansea City manager. The visit of Kidderminster Harriers comes five months after Jackett's first league game at the Vetch Field helm.

And after the most encouraging fortnight of his reign, the former Queens Park Rangers No. 2 reckons he and his new team are finally hitting it off.

''Every club has different traditions, different strengths and different weaknesses,'' said Jackett, who celebrated a first home win in Swansea's last Vetch outing against Lincoln.

''I'm getting to grips with the situation at this club now. It's a big club and I feel I'm improving all the time.

''I'm enjoying being Swansea manager and I do feel I'm really settling in.''

Much has been made of Jackett's playing style since he arrived from Loftus Road, and the ex-Welsh international believes he now has the formula to produce the sort of home record which will see Swansea compete at the top end of League Two.

He added: ''The players are starting to play as I want them to now. You can't play the long ball all the time and you can't play the short ball all the time.

''Good players can do both and we haven't got the mix right at certain stages. But I have felt in the last few games we have and are starting to get the performance level right on a consistent basis.

''Getting success at the Vetch is going to be key to how much success we get in the league and I'm optimistic about that now.

''We've got a fantastic crowd who can intimidate opponents and if we can get things right on the pitch we're going to be a difficult side to beat.

''It's all about being tough when we're not in possession by making sure we're hard to break down and being tough when we do have possession by moving the ball quickly and creating chances.

''We have started doing that recently and it's now a question of keeping our levels up.''

Jackett is upbeat ahead of struggling Kidderminster's arrival despite defeat at Yeovil last weekend and a total of just five league goals scored this season.

He is likely to make just one enforced change tomorrow, with new signing Andy Gurney set to start at right-back in the absence of suspended centre-back Garry Monk.

The former Swindon man's full debut will see Sam Ricketts switching to the left flank of defence and Kevin Austin moving into the centre.

Kidderminster, who boast former Swans Lee Jenkins, Stuart Roberts and Richie Appleby in their ranks, have given a vote of confidence to boss Jan Molby this week despite a miserable run of five straight defeats.

''They are a good footballing side who have been a bit unlucky so far this season,'' added Jackett, ''but it's all about my team tomorrow.

''We won our last home game and should have done so by a greater margin, and I was pleased to some extent at Yeovil despite the result.

''I think the goals are going to start coming for us and hopefully that will begin tomorrow.''

KENNY JACKETT hopes some intensive rounds of shooting practice have helped address Swansea City's goal-scoring problem.

Shot-shy Swansea face former boss Jan Molby's Kidderminster Harriers side at the Vetch tomorrow having struck just five goals from the opening seven games of the season.

Last year's top scorer Lee Trundle has bagged two goals so far, but his strike partner Paul Connor has not found the net since the penultimate match of last season.

But Jackett and his No 2, veteran striker Kevin Nugent, have been trying to address the problem this week with some extra sessions in front of goal for the Vetch Field forward men.

"After the defeat at Yeovil last weekend, we've worked hard physically and, in particular, had a couple of days of intensive target practice with our forward players," said the Swans boss.

"Forwards always enjoy that kind of work and Kevin Nugent has been concentrating on getting everyone sharp.

"Though I'm slightly concerned about the number of goals we've scored this season, we're still creating the chances. I'd be a lot more worried if we weren't doing that.

"But the forwards could do with a goal or two just to lift their confidence in front of goal and that's why we've been putting in this extra practice."

Molby, preparing to return to the club he managed between February 1996 and September 1997, received the dreaded vote of confidence from his chairman this week following Kidderminster's poor start.

Four successive defeats have left Harriers joint bottom of League Two and Swans fans will demand nothing less than three points tomorrow.

MACCLESFIELD versus Grimsby may not be the most fashionable of fixtures, but those who watch this weekend's clash at Moss Rose could witness a piece of sporting history.

If, as expected, Jassim Swadi Fayadh makes his debut for the hosts, he will become the first Iraqi to play league football in England.

A 30-year-old left winger, Fayadh arrived on a free transfer last month with 40 international caps and 14 goals to his name.

He caught the eye of Macclesfield scouts during Iraq's match against an England XI at Moss Rose in the summer, making such an impression that manager Brian Horton signed him despite never having seen him play.

Former Swansea City midfielder Colin Pascoe has returned to Vetch Field as part of Kenny Jackett's management team. The 39-year-old ex-Cardiff youth boss has joined Swansea on a temporary basis after leaving Ninian Park in the summer.

Pascoe, now a coach at Port Talbot Town, will continue working for the Welsh Premiership club while assisting Jackett on the training ground at the Vetch.

"Colin is somebody I played with for the Welsh Under-21s and at senior level and I think he will be able to help us," Jackett explained.

"He recently left Cardiff after five and a half years on their coaching staff so he has the experience.

"He is also an ex-Swansea player so I felt he was the right man."

Pascoe, who scored 54 goals in 270 Swansea appearances between 1983 and 1996, will assist Jackett for two months while Richie Evans is away working to become a chartered physiotherapist.

"Richie will be around in the evenings and on matchdays while Colin will be helping me with the coaching," the Swansea boss added.

"He will be around as and when required really but he won't be joining us on matchdays because of his job at Port Talbot.

"Kevin Nugent (player assistant-manager) has played a couple of games and has been on the bench for the rest, so I felt we could have been a little short on bodies."

James Thomas, meanwhile, has been ruled out of Saturday's home clash with Kidderminster because of a knee injury.

The problem has troubled the Swansea-born striker since the pre-season tour of Holland, but he is likely to return to training next week after fears he would need an operation proved unfounded.

Fellow frontman Paul Connor is expected to recover from a hamstring injury picked up at Yeovil last weekend in time for Kidderminster despite the fact that he is yet to train this week.

Swansea have slashed ticket prices for the LDV Vans Trophy first-round tie with Luton at the Vetch on September 28 (7.45).

Adult tickets for all stands are £10 with £5 concessions, while terrace tickets are just £5 and £3 concessions.

Swansea's trip to Wycombe in nine days' time has been made all-ticket with tickets available from the club shop.

Paul Connor is confident he will soon be back among the goals for Swansea City. The 25-year-old striker had an excellent start to his Vetch Field career, hitting the net five times in 12 games at the end of last season.

But he has struck something of a lean spell this time round, failing to score in seven appearances in Coca-Cola League Two.

''I am still getting the chances,'' he said, ''it's now up to me to take them.

''If I wasn't getting into scoring positions then I would start to worry a bit, but that's not happening at the moment so I am sure the goals will start to come.

''Once I get one that will give me the confidence to go out and get some more.

''I do feel as if I am playing well and I am holding the ball up well and have got the same understanding with Lee Trundle as we built up last season.

''I have had shots on target but goalkeepers have made some good saves and I have hit the bar too.

''The law of averages says I should get on the scoresheet and hopefully it will be soon.''

Connor was forced off the field after only 41 minutes at Yeovil with a sore hamstring.

But he reckons he will be able to shake that off and be fit to face Kidderminster at Vetch Field on Saturday.

''I felt my hamstring a bit against Yeovil and the physio (Richard Evans) said it would be better if I came off,'' added Connor.

''It is a bit stiff and it will need a bit of a stretch this week, but I should be fine come Saturday.''

Meanwhile, Swansea reserves head to the Wessex Stadium to play Weymouth's second string tonight (7.30).

It is expected that Kevin Nugent will take a squad mainly made up of youth team players to the south coast club who play in Conference South.

Sam Ricketts reckons Swansea City were robbed of a hard-fought point at Yeovil on Saturday by two wrong refereeing decisions. Kenny Jackett's men went down to a 1-0 defeat at Huish Park thanks to Gavin Williams's penalty five minutes from time after Garry Monk had felled Phil Jevons.

Monk was shown red by referee Jarnail Singh as he was the last line of the Swansea defence.

But Ricketts agreed with his manager that the Middlesex official should have blown up well before Monk's challenge and the foul should not have resulted in a spot kick.

''From the initial through ball the player who broke clear was offside,'' said the full-back. ''We have had a look at the video and he was two or three yards off, so we were disappointed not to get that decision.

'''The challenge itself was started outside the area. Garry said he knew he was the last man and that's why he went to ground outside the box.

''He said there was no point in going to ground inside the area because he knew it would be a penalty.

''The referee and linesman have not spotted the offside and they also haven't seen that it's outside the area. There is not a lot you can do about that, but we feel we were harshly done by.''

Ricketts was part of a back four which put up a solid performance as Yeovil laid siege to the Swansea goal in the second half.

Swansea had dominated for much of the first 45 minutes, but chances went begging and Williams's arrival at half-time swung the game in favour of the home side.

While Ricketts was quick to praise the performance of the Merthyr-born midfielder, he was annoyed by his actions minutes before he scored the winning penalty.

''He did do well when he came on,'' he admitted, ''but he had a dive when I tackled him in the area and I was a bit angry with him for that.

''I thought you were supposed to get booked for diving and the referee didn't even have a word with him.

''I said to Williams that he dived and he didn't even come back with anything, so he knew himself he did it.''

Monk is set for a one-match ban following his red card and will miss Saturday's clash with Kidderminster at Vetch Field.

When Kenny Jackett took over the reins at Vetch Field he was at pains to point out how important it was to bring through local talent. How ironic it was then that on an afternoon when only one Welshman - Kristian O'Leary - took his place in the Swansea City starting line-up, a Merthyr-born winger who has relocated to Yeovil was the one to put an end to Swansea's mini revival.

Cardiff City fan Gavin Williams entered the fray as a substitute right at the start of the second half and he enjoyed an afternoon to remember, culminating in his scoring the winner from the penalty spot at a time when he was the only Welshman left on the pitch.

Swansea may have healthy claims to say that Williams's strike from the penalty spot should not have come about, but there was no denying that the midfielder's performance alone was enough to earn Yeovil at least a point.

Back-to-back 1-0 wins over Cambridge and Lincoln had seen Jackett's team climb to seventh in Coca-Cola League Two.

And a first-half performance at Huish Park would have had the 794 visiting fans believing that the improved play they had witnessed in the previous two matches had been taken into this clash at Huish Park.

With captain Roberto Martinez pulling the strings, confidence was high and Yeovil's unbeaten home record looked under threat.

But just as in the first six outings of this League Two season, Jackett's men found it difficult to turn possession into goals.

So far in this campaign Swansea have found the back of the opposition's net on only five occasions, a point that will not be lost on the Swansea boss.

Sooner or later that record has to be improved because, as Sam Ricketts pointed out after Saturday's defeat, profligacy in front of goal can cost you.

''We were on top in the first half and we just needed a goal then,'' he said.

''You have to score when you are on top because you will always find that teams will have their time in the game when they are on top.''

Yeovil did. And after chances came and went for Andy Robinson, Izzy Iriekpen, Kristian O'Leary, Adrian Forbes and Lee Trundle in the first half, an inspired double substitution by home boss Gary Johnson turned the game on its head.

Jackett's plans had been hit by Paul Connor, who had linked well with Trundle as Swansea dominated, limping off with a hamstring strain.

Andy Gurney was brought on in midfield, with Forbes moving up front. That enforced switch seemed to hand the home side the ascendancy and Yeovil boss Gary Johnson saw his chance to change things.

With Forbes now alongside Trundle, there was a distinct lack of pace in the Swansea midfield and Johnson took a chance.

Switching from 3-4-3 to 4-4-2, he gave Williams and Latvian international Andrejs Stolcers licence to thrill.

Their direct running had Swansea defenders treading water, and although Jackett tried to counter by replacing O'Leary with Brad Maylett, a dead leg meant he lasted only 17 minutes.

It was back to square one for the Swansea boss and Williams was revelling in his comeback game after recovering from a broken finger.

Willy Gueret denied him once with a save at his feet, and he also did superbly well to turn a Roy O'Brien long-range effort on to the bar.

Swansea, though, had their chances on the break and home keeper Chris Weale kept his side in frot with brilliant saves from Trundle and Kevin Nugent, who had come on for the unfortunate Maylett.

But there was to be no denying Williams his moment in the sun and he, and referee Jarnail Singh, had the final say.

Phil Jevons broke away and was brought down by Garry Monk on the edge of the area.

Singh pointed to the spot and sent Monk off before Williams sent Gueret the wrong way with his penalty and then goaded Swansea's fans with the Cardiff City-inspired goal celebration the Ayatollah.

Jackett bemoaned his luck on two occasions in the build-up to the incident but he did concede that Williams had been a major factor in the turnaround.

''The decision at the end changed the game,'' he said.

''My initial reaction from the sidelines was that the player was two yards offside on the first through ball.

''Garry Monk went back and brought him down. It was a foul, but whether it was inside the area or out was touch and go.

''At half-time I felt very encouraged because we looked strong. But in the second half Yeovil started very strongly and the boy Williams certainly had some influence in midfield.''

Jackett will look back at this as an afternoon of missed possibilities, especially in front of goal.

He was philosophical in defeat, and while the loss drops Swansea down to 10th, he will realise that if the goals do start coming in then a move up the table again is not beyond his side.

But they could do without meeting up with too many more inspired Welshmen like Gavin Williams.

Manager Johnson may just have a reason for his second-half show.

''Certain things motivate players, of course, and we have all got different ways of motivating ourselves to win football matches.

''This was a big game for Gavin. He has been champing at the bit for about two weeks and against medical advice we decided he would come in.

''If we hadn't played him he may have been floating down the river after cutting his throat,'' Johnson joked.

''We took the lesser of the two evils and decided to play him, and a great impact he had.''

GARRY MONK saw red as Swansea City's mini-revival came shuddering to a halt after they crumbled under the weight of a second-half battering.

Former Southampton defender Monk received his marching orders in the 85th minute for a lunging tackle on Phil Jevons only a fraction inside the area.

Gavin Williams - the only Welshman left on the pitch - blasted the resulting spot-kick past keeper Willy Gueret to end Swansea's three-match unbeaten league run.

Swans boss Kenny Jackett lamented his team's failure to capitalise on an encouraging first-half performance in which Lee Trundle, Andy Robinson and Izzy Iriekpen had superb chances to score.

But victory was no more than Yeovil deserved after the Somerset club put Jackett's men under severe pressure and could have scored a hatful of goals in what was a thrilling second period.

Though substitute Kevin Nugent missed an excellent chance to put the visitors in front and Trundle forced a fine save from home keeper Chris Weale, the Swans were desperately disappointing after the break.

"At one stage I thought it was going to be the most entertaining 0-0 draw I'd seen," said Jackett.

"But the referee's decision to award the penalty swayed it in Yeovil's favour.

"My initial reaction was the lad who was put through before winning the penalty looked offside.

"It was then touch-and-go as to whether he was in the box when Garry brought him down.

"But you could tell the referee was going to pull out the red card and that means we'll be without Garry for the next match.

"It was a disappointing afternoon for the Swans in the light of promising back-to-back victories over Cambridge and Lincoln last weekend.

But Jackett insisted: "I think we're continuing to improve. It was a very good first-half performance - we caused Yeovil a lot of problems.

"Perhaps we do need to start scoring more goals, but I'm confident they will come. As a team, I wouldn't say we're inconsistent at the moment because performance-wise, we were strong in the first-half.

"I just feel we've been very unfortunate with a referee's decision here."

Jackett had kept faith with the side that triumphed 1-0 against Lincoln last Monday, with new signing Andy Gurney forced to settle for a place on the bench after his midweek move from Swindon.

Only astute defending from Iriekpen prevented Jevons from converting a sixth-minute cross from former Wales Under-21 international Kevin Gall.

Swansea had to wait until the 19th minute for their first chance, which winger Adrian Forbes squandered by volleying wildly over the bar.

Robinson came much closer two minutes later when he unleashed a low 20-yard drive that keeper Chris Weale pushed magnificently round the right-hand post.

Then Iriekpen produced a shot which drew an almost identical save to Robinson's earlier effort, before Swansea were presented with their best chance of the half. Roberto Martinez released Trundle with a quickly-taken free-kick, but the Swansea marksman was forced left by the defenders and from a tight angle, he dragged his shot wide of the far post.

Four minutes before the interval Gurney came on for the injured Connor, with Forbes pushed up front.

But it was Yeovil who almost went ahead on the stroke of half-time when Martinez conceded a free-kick. Lee Johnson curled in an inviting ball but Polish striker Bartosz Tarachulski headed over the bar.

Shortly after the interval Yeovil's Latvian striker, substitute Andrejs Stolcers, went close when he fired just over the bar from the edge of the area.

Robinson forced another good save from Weale as Swansea made an increasingly rare move into opposition territory.

The Swansea goal was coming under constant pressure. But for the quick reaction of Gueret, stooping low to save at the feet of Williams, Yeovil would have gone ahead on 50 minutes.

But the Glovers kept peppering Gueret's goal with shots, Darren Way, Jevons and Williams all going close in a frantic six minute spell. In a brief respite for the Swans, Trundle forced Weale to palm away a close-range effort after twisting and turning in the box.

Then came a stunning save from Gueret, the Frenchman leaping superbly to push Roy O'Brien's venomous 18-yard strike onto the crossbar.

Nugent, pressed into action after sub Brad Maylett pulled up injured, was presented with a gilt-edged chance on 75 minutes when Martinez sent him clean through but the Swansea assistant manager's shot was somehow kept out by the legs of Weale.

Swansea's luck finally ran out when Williams sent Jevons - who appeared a yard or two offside - through and Monk took his legs from under him.

The referee had no option but to brandish the red card and Williams killed off Swansea with a spot-kick he buried in the bottom left-hand corner of Gueret's net.

A late penalty from Yeovil substitute Gavin Williams secured all three points for his side against Swansea.
Swansea's Garry Monk was sent off for his foul as Phil Jevons bore down on the penalty areas in the 84th minute.

Yeovil had goalkeeper Chris Weale to thank for keeping them in the match in the first half as he saved efforts from Roberto Martinez and Andy Robinson.

But the home side improved markedly after the break and the late winner was no more than they deserved.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yeovil: Weale, Skiverton, Fontaine, Rose, O'Brien, Way, Terry (Weatherstone 87), Johnson, Gall (Gavin Williams 45), Jevons, Tarachulski (Stolcers 45). Subs Not Used: Collis, Caceres.

Goals: Gavin Williams 85 pen.

Swansea: Gueret, Ricketts, Monk, Iriekpen, Austin, Forbes, O'Leary (Maylett 55), Martinez, Robinson, Trundle, Connor (Gurney 41), Maylett (Nugent 72). Subs Not Used: Britton, Fisken.

Sent Off: Monk (84).

Booked: Martinez, Forbes, Robinson.

Att: 5,826

Ref: J Singh (Middlesex).

Swansea City are holding a family fun day at Vetch Field tomorrow when supporters will get the chance to meet their favourite players. There will also be tours around the ground as it prepares to close its gates for the last time next May.

League Two sponsors Coca-Cola will be represented at the event, while a food and beer tent will be open all day.

The event takes place between 11am and 4pm, with admission just £1.

Tickets are available on the day.

Swansea's Supporters' Trust, meanwhile, have elected a new board at their fourth annual meeting, featuring Huw Cooze, Marilyn Croft, Ron Knuszka, Debbie Rees, Viv Brooks and John Young.

John Parkhouse, who was chairman, and fellow original member Richard Lillicrap, both lost their places on the board.

"We would like to thank them both for their efforts since the formation of the trust in August 2000 and we sincerely hope they will continue to support the trust from the backbenches in the future," a statement from the new board said.

SWANSEA CITY boss Kenny Jackett has expressed his hurt at the recent criticism of his tactics - and insisted people had got the wrong impression about him.

Jackett takes Swansea into today's League Two clash at Yeovil with a smile back on his face following the bank holiday weekend victories over Cambridge and Lincoln.

Little more than seven days ago, however, it was a different story as Jackett was coming under fire from Swans supporters after a poor start to the season continued with a Carling Cup catastrophe at Queens Park Rangers.

Although Jackett said he accepted some of the reasons people had got on his back, he took the unusual step this week of writing an open letter to fans dismissing claims his preferred playing style was "lumping the ball forward".

And he followed that up yesterday by admitting he'd been stung by the criticism he received at such an early stage in the season.

"I'm a proud man so, yes, I have to say the criticism did hurt me a bit," said Jackett. "You have to accept that it's par for the course in football these days, but it's not nice to be criticised.

"Receiving criticism from the fans and the media is not something that's happened to me too many times before.

"I've accepted it to some degree because I believed my side could play better.

"At times, we've been too frantic and not constructive enough in our build-up play.

"But, in terms of my style of play, I think a lot of people have got the wrong impression about me.

"It's been claimed that I've urged the players just to lump the ball forward all the time, but that's not the case.

"Moving the ball quickly with some control and some flair is my way, my style.

"I wouldn't have survived 13 years in coaching and management if I was very one-dimensional.

"If you pass long constantly, you're wrong. If you pass short constantly, you're wrong. You need the right balance.

"This is why I decided to write the open letter to supporters.

"I wanted to express my views about the football we're playing and that's something I'll continue to do.

"Some people will like my views and some people won't. But I thought it was very important I let supporters know what's going on in my mind."

Ahead of last Saturday's trip to Cambridge, Swansea had collected a meagre four points from their opening four League Two matches.

But two wins from two last weekend have put an entirely different complexion on things and Swansea head for Somerset just four points off league leaders Scunthorpe.

"To some degree, I feel I've answered my critics with the performances on the pitch," said Jackett.

"The reason I accepted the criticism was because I knew we were capable of performing that much better.

"Sometimes you get a squad of players performing to their absolute maximum, but that was not the case with us.

"I feel there is a lot more to come from this squad of players and you started to see that last weekend. We've got an exciting squad and the task for us now is to keep on improving."

Following the midweek signing of Swindon Town defender Andy Gurney, the Swans could go into today's clash without a single Welshman in the starting line-up.

"Yeovil will be a real handful at Huish Park," said Jackett.

"They play terrific football and break forward well with lots of pace."

Swansea City could go into tomorrow's League Two clash at Yeovil without a Welsh player in their starting line-up. Manager Kenny Jackett may look to find a spot for new signing Andy Gurney and with the ex-Swindon captain indicating his new boss sees him in a midfield role, it seems that the unlucky man to miss out could be Port Talbot-born Kristian O'Leary - the only Welshman to start on Monday against Lincoln.

The Swansea boss would not reveal his hand ahead of the trip to Huish Park, but it does appear unlikely that he will tinker with his back four to accommodate Gurney after two straight clean sheets.

That leaves the centre midfield spot alongside skipper Roberto Martinez as the only available spot for the new man.

Jackett believes he has a player who can be a more-than useful addition to his squad.

''Andy can play in a few positions,'' he said. ''He is predominantly a defender but he can be used in midfield. I also think at times we lack that bit of experience in the side. Maybe Andy can bring us that.''

Jackett, meanwhile, will be hoping improved performances will continue to quell criticism which followed a poor start to the season.

The Swansea boss was hurt by some of that criticism from the media and supporters and explained his reasons for writing an open letter last night in the Evening Post.

''I felt I just wanted to communicate my own views to the supporters,'' he said.

''It is important to me that I o let the supporters know what's going on in my mind.''

While Jackett did not agree with some views, he did accept the criticism, saying it is all part and parcel of a manager's job.

''I accept it because I thought my side would play better,'' he said. ''I felt there was room for improvement and I did feel we were capable of that improvement. It was pleasing to see we got that last weekend.

''Whatever people have said, I have answered my critics both on and off the field in my talking to the media and my team's performance on the field.

''It was a misconception to say my style was to just lump it forward. Moving the ball quickly with some skill and flair is my way and my style. I wouldn't have survived 13 years in coaching and management if I was one dimensional.''

Mark Pritchard will find out today whether he has a fractured cheek bone. The young striker took a stray boot in the face in the early stages of the reserves' 2-1 win over Bournemouth on Wednesday.

Pritchard was taken to hospital but x-rays proved inconclusive and he was due to see a specialist today.

If the bone is broken the Tredegar product could face six weeks on the sidelines.

Club physiotherapist Richie Evans said: ''There was a lot of swelling when he was taken to hospital on Wednesday.

''Because of that it was unclear whether there was a break, but he should find out today.

''If there is no fracture he could just be out for a couple of weeks.''

Andy Gurney may have signed a three-year deal with Swansea City but he is determined he will be spending only a year in Coca-Cola League Two. The former Swindon captain dropped down a division after completing his switch from the County Ground to Vetch Field on Wednesday.

But the 30-year-old no-nonsense defender-cum-midfielder wants a quick return to League One.

''There is the fact I have dropped down a division,'' admitted Gurney, ''but I wouldn't have come to Swansea if I felt they weren't capable of climbing out of this division.

''I have no qualms about it at all. I am only thinking of spending a year in this division. I haven't come to here to play in League Two for three years.

''I have come because I think Swansea can get promoted. Hopefully I can help them to achieve that.

''Once I heard that Swansea were interested and I spoke to Kenny Jackett I saw that he was ambitious and wants to take the club forward.

''The new ground was probably a big factor, too, and I am sure the club would love to be kicking off in a higher division when they make that move.

''I am looking forward to the challenge and it certainly is that.

''I have been looking for a fresh challenge and I was keen to come and take a look.''

Primarily a defender, Gurney seems set for a midfield role in Jackett's line-up, but the Bristol-born utility man says it is not a position which he is unaccustomed to.

''I think he wants me to play in midfield,'' said Gurney. ''I played quite a lot of games in the middle of the park for Swindon last year so it's not something that's unfamiliar.

''I am excited about wherever he wants me to play, but the side have just come off the back of two wins so I might have to wait for my chance.''

Gurney's career has seen him rack up almost 450 league and cup games for Bristol Rovers, Torquay, Reading and Swindon and he is hoping what he has learned can be passed on to his new team-mates.

''The gaffer has said there are a few young players in the squad,'' he said. ''Hopefully I can bring that bit of extra experience into the side.

''I was in the last year of my contract at Swindon and I am sure I would have got another one if I had waited until the end of the season.

''I have got two young children and I suppose the offer of a good contract was a factor, but that wasn't the main reason why I came.

''The main reason was that new challenge and I can't wait to get started.''

Gurney is not frightened to get stuck in wherever he plays and he is hoping that his presence can bring the results for Swansea.

He experienced heartbreak last season, losing to Brighton on penalties in the play-off semi-final. He is determined that both his new club and his old club will fare better this time round.

''The gaffer has said he wants someone in there to get tackles in and win headers,'' he said.

''I like to feel I can do that and play a little bit as well.

''I shall be giving 100 per cent to try to do all those things. Hopefully I can add something to the side.

''We went very close at Swindon last season and that was very disappointing, especially to lose on penalties.

''I hope they go on to the promotion they deserve. I am hoping that with a bit of luck we can both go on and get promoted at the end of the season.''

SWANSEA CITY boss Kenny Jackett last night expressed his delight at the shock swoop for former Swindon Town captain Andy Gurney.

The Swans snapped up the 30-year-old defender on a three-year deal in a move that the official Swindon website admitted, "came out of the blue."

Said Jackett, "I am delighted Andrew has decided to join Swansea and he will prove to be an invaluable member of the team."

Gurney, 30, has been almost ever-present for Swindon since joining on a free transfer from Reading in 2001.

The defender had made nearly 150 appearances for the Robins and figured in all six of Swindon's League One games this season.

Gurney, who can play right across the back line or even slot into midfield, began his career at Bristol Rovers for whom he made 117 appearances, scoring 10 goals.

He then had two seasons at Torquay before joining Reading for £100,000 in 1999 and figured strongly in their promotion push in 1999-2000.

Carmarthen Town goalkeeper Tony Pennock saved a Kevin Bartley penalty to deny Afan Lido victory in a 0-0 stalemate in the Welsh Premier League Challenge Cup first round, first leg tie at Richmond Park last night.

Kenny Jackett has strengthened his Swansea City squad after making a surprise move for Swindon's Andy Gurney. The 30-year-old signed on a free transfer yesterday - a deal which will keep him at Vetch Field for three years.

Gurney, a former skipper at the Wiltshire club, can play at right-back, centre-back or in midfield.

An almost ever-present at the County Ground last season, Gurney played 132 league games for Swindon after joining the League One side from Reading on a free transfer in the summer of 2001.

Gurney began his career for hometown club Bristol Rovers as a trainee in 1992.

He spent five years at the Memorial Ground playing more than 100 times before moving to Torquay.

In January 1999 Reading paid £100,000 for Gurney and he figured strongly in their promotion to the old Division One in the 2000-2001 season.

Jackett, whose former club QPR had a bid of £150,000 turned down for Gurney last season, believes Swansea fans will see the best of the versatile player over the next three seasons.

''Andy is a very good signing for this football club and I am delighted to have been able to get him on a free transfer,'' he said.

''He is a good all-round player who can play in a number of positions and I believe he will be a good addition to our squad.

''I saw him a number of times playing for Swindon and Reading and he always stood out. He is an experienced player who has been in the higher divisions for the past few seasons. I am delighted to have him here.

''He is already an experienced player who has done well at his previous clubs, but I still believe his best years are still to come and that Swansea will reap the benefit of having him in the squad.''

Gurney's move may have come as a bolt out of the blue at the County Ground, but Jackett was not surprised that he has crossed the Severn Bridge.

''Being a Bristol boy and having played against Swansea, Andy has seen the potential at the club,'' he said.

''He has witnessed the passion of the crowds and knows that we are moving to a fantastic new stadium next season.

''That is how I sold the club to him and I am delighted he has agreed to the move.''

Saturday's trip to Yeovil is not all-ticket for Swansea fans. Tickets can be pre-bought from the club shop.

Kenny Jackett has asked the Evening Post to publish an open letter to the club's fans following recent critcism over his tactics. He writes:

I would like to respond to the criticism of performances in recent games from supporters and the media prior to this weekend.

I have worked on trying to get my team to pass the ball forward quicker. Scoring goals is about counter attacking quickly before the opposition can get goal side of the ball and regain their defensive position.

We have not done that with enough control or understanding and our play forward has been too frantic.

This is a balance I am working hard to address but I refute any suggestions that my playing style is just to 'lump it forward'.

I have worked from day one on having a short pass and a long pass in my team and try to be creative and constructive in possession.

I accept that if results are not right then I will get criticised whatever I do, but it is very important to me to play an attractive brand of football in my time in charge at the Vetch Field.

I felt it was important to convey my thoughts to the Swansea public and you can rest assured that no one will work harder than me to produce an entertaining and winning football team at this club.

Thank you for your continued support.

Kenny Jackett

SWANSEA CITY boss Kenny Jackett last night expressed his delight at the shock swoop for former Swindon Town captain Andy Gurney.

The Swans snapped up the 30-year-old defender on a three-year deal in a move that the official Swindon website admitted, "came out of the blue."

Said Jackett, "I am delighted Andrew has decided to join Swansea and he will prove to be an invaluable member of the team."

Gurney, 30, has been almost ever-present for Swindon since joining on a free transfer from Reading in 2001.

The defender had made nearly 150 appearances for the Robins and figured in all six of Swindon's League One games this season.

Gurney, who can play right across the back line or even slot into midfield, began his career at Bristol Rovers for whom he made 117 appearances, scoring 10 goals.

He then had two seasons at Torquay before joining Reading for £100,000 in 1999 and figured strongly in their promotion push in 1999-2000.

Carmarthen Town goalkeeper Tony Pennock saved a Kevin Bartley penalty to deny Afan Lido victory in a 0-0 stalemate in the Welsh Premier League Challenge Cup first round, first leg tie at Richmond Park last night.

Swansea City have signed Andrew Gurney from Swindon Town on a three-year deal.
Gurney, 30, has been ever present for Swindon since joining on a free transfer from Reading in 2001.

The former Swindon captain is a versatile defender who can play at right-back and centre-back, and can also slot in comfortably in midfield.

Said Swansea manager Kenny Jackett: "I am delighted Andrew has decided to join Swansea and he will prove to be an invaluable member of the team."

Swindon's website says the transfer has come "out of the blue" and the full details of the deal have not yet been disclosed.

Willy Gueret admits his penalty-saving heroics against Lincoln have eased the pressure on him as Roger Freestone's successor. The French goalkeeper was a surprise arrival at Swansea City in the summer after Kenny Jackett had brought the curtain down on Freestone's 13-year Vetch Field career.

And Gueret, who had spent most of the past four seasons in Millwall's reserves, believes he is now settling as Swansea's No. 1 after Monday's brilliant spot-kick save handed Jackett his first home win.

''I have felt a bit of pressure in my first few games,'' the 31-year-old said.

''It's always hard when you go to a new club, especially when you play at home in front of your new fans for the first few times.

''But while I've felt the pressure, I've just tried to play my own game and make as many saves as I can.

''To save the penalty was an especially good feeling because we needed that win.''

Gueret showed supreme athleticism to leap to his right and turn Gary Taylor-Fletcher's penalty around the post.

Player-assistant boss Kevin Nugent had sent on a message for his keeper to dive that way having seen Taylor-Fletcher, a former team-mate at Leyton Orient, score from the spot earlier this season.

Lee Trundle was the messenger, standing behind the Imps frontman as he ran up to shoot pointing to Gueret's right-hand corner.

But the Swansea stopper revealed: ''Lee gave me the shout to go that way, but at the same time Roberto Martinez told me to dive the other side so in the end it was a big guess.

''I'm just glad I went the right way, because it was the time to make it after the start to the season we've had.''

Rejuvenated by their double Bank Holiday success, Swansea head to Yeovil on Saturday knowing a third straight win would push them into League Two's leading pack.

''We had a hard start to the season because we didn't get the results we deserved,'' Gueret added, ''but after the Cambridge win boosted our confidence, we felt strong going into Lincoln and this time I thought we did get a fair result.

''Hopefully now we are setting off on a good run.''

Meanwhile, Swansea are reminding fans that they are hosting a family fun day at the Vetch this Sunday.

There will be the chance to meet players, tour the ground and much more.

Swansea's reserve side face Bournemouth in the Pontins Combination at the Vetch tonight (7pm).

Izzy Iriekpen has saluted Kenny Jackett after Swansea City's change of approach brought them six points from six over the Bank Holiday weekend. Man-of-the-match Iriekpen scored the only goal just three minutes into yesterday's home clash with Lincoln to hand Swansea back-to-back wins for the first time since March following Saturday's 1-0 success at Cambridge.

And the former West Ham centre-back has paid tribute to his manager after the double success pushed Jackett's men up to seventh in the League Two table.

''It's good of the gaffer to have changed things,'' Iriekpen said.

''He has realised we haven't got the kind of players to play the long-ball game and that is top marks to him.

''We haven't got big players up front. People like Lee Trundle like the ball into feet and we have got small players in midfield who like to play a bit.

''The manager still wants us to close teams down and to work hard. There's still an emphasis on that, but when we get the ball he has told us to relax and play.

''He has given us that opportunity and I think everyone should be pleased because we are now getting results.

''He is the manager and we will play the way he tells us to, but he's realised he had to change it and he's done that.''

Swansea deserved their first home victory in six attempts under Jackett even if it needed a fine penalty save from Willy Gueret to deny Lincoln's Gary Taylor-Fletcher an equaliser 13 minutes from the end.

''I think the difference is that the manager has shown his confidence in us to play. He has changed the formation and told us to go out and enjoy ourselves,'' added Iriekpen.

''We're going to carry on working hard when we haven't got the ball to get it back, but then we're going to play. I think that's why we've looked more confident and we've enjoyed it.

''We've had a great weekend and hopefully we can keep on moving up now. As players we feel we can make an impact in this division this season.''

Jackett, who left Brad Maylett out yesterday because of a nagging groin problem, could not hide his delight as the misery of Queens Park Rangers a week ago faded in the memory.

He said: ''We could have made it easier for ourselves by getting a second goal given some of the good positions we created.

''But it's a fantastic feeling to win games. What we must remember now is that teams who get too carried away end up on their bums very quickly.

''It's nice to look at the table and be in a healthy position, but it just shows how tight this league is and also that it's still early days.

''What we must do now is try to be consistent and work hard again when we go to Yeovil on Saturday.''

So Kenny Jackett has at last notched his first Vetch Field victory, but just a week after his most miserable night as Swansea City manager, he has a lot more to celebrate than that. Only seven days ago the former Queens Park Rangers No. 2 endured the painful experience of being bashed by his own fans on what should have been a special night back on his old patch at Loftus Road.

An about-turn over tactics and two wins later, Jackett woke up this morning with his popularity rating in these parts soaring higher than ever before.

"These are the ups and downs of football," he said after a successful Bank Holiday weekend which might just have saved his job.

It is only August, the time of the year when the League Managers' Association are at their most vociferous when their numbers are decreased.

But no doubt Jackett was under pressure after his team's capitulation at QPR, and negative results at Cambridge on Saturday and when Lincoln City visited yesterday might have seen Swansea's fledgling manager joining the early-season casualties at Newcastle, Southampton and Preston North End.

His bosses at the Vetch, after all, are not known for their patience.

Instead the man charged with leading Swansea in what is one of the biggest seasons in their history suddenly looks more secure than ever thanks to a change in approach which has brought instant rewards.

"It's been a steep learning curve for me," he admitted, "and I have learned quickly what's needed to be successful in this division.

"It's important that I try to stay level-headed about everything, but the contrast in emotions between the QPR game and now is big. That's what can happen in seven days as a football manager."

Having been hammered by the best part of 700 in London, Jackett was hailed yesterday by almost 7,000 supporters who had seen his team achieve a deserved win thanks to an altogether more eye-catching style of football.

Credit should go to the Swansea boss.

The more direct method he demanded initially from his players had largely failed, and only three weeks into the campaign he has engineered a change.

Having recognised that his star performers are not suited to what many saw as route one football, Jackett has opted instead for a more cultured approach.

"We have a lot of players with ability on the ball at this club and we have tried to keep it more," he added.

"The players have shown that ability this weekend and the new system we've played certainly seems to suit them more.

"What you have got to do is watch and assess your players and try to bring out the best in them.

"Our play for two or three games was too frantic and we didn't show enough control.

"To control games as I want to do and create enough chances to win them we needed to even out our distribution and show some more understanding in our build-up.

"In the last two games we have done that. Going from back to front we have needed to put in an extra pass or two and we have had that extra control.

"It's great if you can get up the pitch in one pass, but it doesn't happen."

Hence the return to favour of Roberto Martinez, probably the best exponent of the passing game at the Vetch and a steadying influence in Swansea's midfield over the weekend.

"I was very pleased with Roberto at Cambridge and I was again against Lincoln," said Jackett.

"He has a role in front of the back-four which I feel is key and he also has very good leadership qualities."

Quite a turnaround, then, from a couple of weeks ago, when there were question marks over the Spanish club skipper's future in South Wales.

His reinstatement has been welcomed by his team-mates, and it is no coincidence that Jackett's team have transformed an ordinary start to the new season into something rather more promising.

Martinez has been an important cog if not the driving force in Swansea's upturn in fortunes, the player who embodies most Jackett's more attractive plan.

Against a Lincoln side renowned for the ugly stuff, new-look Swansea might have earned their manager a more comfortable first home win in six attempts.

They took their first chance, when Matthew Bloomer made a hash of clearing Andy Robinson's corner and the excellent Izzy Iriekpen swept home his second goal for the club.

But the rest came and went without the scorers being troubled.

Paul Connor saw a left-foot effort saved by Alan Marriott from point-blank range, while Lee Trundle was twice denied late on by Lincoln's impressive goalkeeper.

In between there were near-misses for the lively Robinson and Kristian O'Leary, but it was Swansea stopper Willy Gueret who made the most telling intervention of all.

The Frenchman had already leapt superbly to beat out Gary Taylor-Fletcher's header when he came face to face with the man with a goal in each of Lincoln's first six games of the season 13 minutes from the end.

Two of those strikes had come from the penalty spot, but this time, after Garry Monk had spoiled another good showing by upending Simon Yeo, the newly-married and newly-double-barrelled striker was denied.

Taylor-Fletcher's spot-kick was brilliantly saved by Gueret, who had been aided by some advice from the home dugout.

"Kevin Nugent had seen him put a penalty in that corner last week and sent on a message for Willy to go that way," Jackett explained.

The messenger, who stood behind Taylor-Fletcher as he ran to the ball pointing left? Trundle of course. Trust him to get in on the act.

Swansea City 1-0 Lincoln City

STILL a relative newcomer to the rigours of football management, Kenny Jackett will have learned a lot from the last seven days.

Not only does the Swansea boss now know what a Vetch Field victory tastes like but - and perhaps more importantly - Jackett is starting to realise how to get the best out of his side.

Swansea, for the first time in three attempts at home, looked the part for the visit of Lincoln yesterday, the three points completing a successful bank holiday.

A tinker in tactics and the return of Spanish skipper Roberto Martinez - and all of a sudden the sun is shining on the Swansea coast.

It's a far cry from last week when missed opportunities at Cheltenham and a Carling Cup catastrophe at Loftus Road had voices of concern echoing from the fans.

Instead, Izzy Iriekpen's early goal and a superb spot-kick save from Willy Gueret had the ground singing Jackett's name, cementing the club's standing in the top half of the table.

"It's nice to win games and it's nice to be in a healthy position," beamed Jackett, whose side catapulted themselves into the play-off places, four points off league leaders Scunthorpe. "It's a fantastic feeling, there's no doubt about it.

"We've changed things around a little bit and the system we have now suits the players we have here.

"We needed a little more control in our attack and our passing and perhaps an extra pass through the middle.

"We've worked hard and it shows because we've had two good games - it's been a good weekend."

Following on from the win at Cambridge, the Swans got off to the best possible start when Iriekpen pounced after just three minutes.

But try as they might for a second, it never came and the hosts were inches away from being made to pay on 76 minutes when Garry Monk felled Simon Yeo in the area, only for Gueret to brilliantly deny Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

As if he needed it, Jackett admitted the lucky escape was a useful illustration that feet are to remain firmly on the floor in the Swansea dressing room.

"I thought we played well against Cheltenham and I told the players it was important not to get too disappointed," he said. "Likewise, if we get too carried away with this we will quickly get put on our bums.

"It's vital that we remain consistent and level headed about it all and guard against such things happening.

"We have to keep working at it right through the season. Whoever played well yesterday counts for nothing at Yeovil (Swansea's next opponents) and we will all have to work hard to make sure we keep on improving."

To be fair it has been slow and steady progress so far. In recent weeks territory and possession have counted for little, something illustrated by the 43 corners won by the Swans which - before yesterday - had not been seized upon.

But the 44th changed all that as Iriekpen lurched at a loose ball in the Imps' area, punishing Peter Gain and Nathan Peat who had both miserably failed to clear for the visitors.

Robinson was the instigator again on 34 minutes as the midfielder crossed for Paul Connor, his close range shot saved well by former Wrexham goalkeeper Alan Marriott. His heroics in the net were followed up a minute later by Swansea stopper Gueret who reacted well to efforts from Adrian Littlejohn and Richard Butcher to ensure the Swans took the lead into the interval.

As in the first half, it was the Swans who were in the box seat after the break, passing with confidence while trickery and good ball control from Robinson, Kevin Austin and Lee Trundle before Paul Connor flashed a header across goal from his cross had Jackett applauding.

But all the good work came so close to being undone when Monk misjudged a bouncing ball in the hosts' area, tripping Yeo as he attempted to recover. The penalty was awarded and an urgent message from assistant manager Kevin Nugent was delivered via Trundle for Gueret to dive right.

Obviously keen to impress in his new role, Nugent had done his homework on penalty taker Taylor-Fletcher - scorer of two spot-kicks this season - and Gueret followed the instructions to dive right to save.

Buoyed by their escape, Swansea surged forward with some of the best moves of the game and although they failed to deliver the killer second, held on for the first home win of the season and first back-to-back successes for six months.

Leon Hylton admits it will feel like another debut if he ever pulls on a Swansea City shirt again. The former England Under-20 international can rarely be seen at Swansea training these days and is a forgotten figure among many Vetch Field fans.

Hylton, though, insists the prospect of playing again is what is keeping him going as he continues the long, lonely battle back from a mysterious groin injury.

"I see people in the park going for a jog or having a kickabout and I get jealous," the 21-year-old says.

"I've had a terrible time with this problem since I came to Swansea and I just want to get it right and get playing again."

Signed originally on loan from Aston Villa by Brian Flynn in spring 2003, Hylton managed seven appearances that season before penning a two-year Swansea contract over the summer.

The young left-back had never had groin problems at Villa Park, but it was not long after he clinched a permanent move to South Wales that his troubles began.

At first Swansea thought they would be without Hylton for a couple of weeks, but 12 months on and he has completed only five senior games.

"At first they thought it was something to do with my posture," he recalls, "but they treated that and I was still getting pains.

"I had three injections last season to try to ease the pain and I think they actually ended up making it worse because my groins became really weak.

"I've been to Lilleshall (National Sports Centre) this summer and they have given me exercises to strengthen the tendons in my groins. They seem to be helping - there's still pain there but I am running a bit better.

"I've got to keep doing the exercises for somewhere between two and four weeks and then fingers crossed I'll be about a month away from playing."

So there is hope for Hylton, but for now he is in solitary confinement at the Glamorgan Health and Racquet Club in Llandarcy.

"I think they're getting fed up of seeing me down there," he adds.

"I'm working on the bike and running steadily faster.

"I've been staying away from training because I feel a bit isolated when everyone else is fit.

"I don't really feel part of things at the moment, but hopefully that will change soon."

It better had, otherwise Hylton could be facing the end of his career before it has really started.

In all, he has 21 senior appearances under his belt, all of them for Swansea, and another season wrecked by injury may well leave him without a club when his contract expires next summer.

"All I can do is try to get as fit as I can and see what happens, but I'm not thinking that this injury could finish me.

"It's one of those problems that is hard to treat and it's frustrating because I came to Swansea to play football.

"I'm still ambitious and I still want to push for a place in the firstteam.

"I'm still buzzing about the chance to play football so there's light at the end of the tunnel."

After a week when he has been the butt of most jokes at Swansea City's training ground, Kevin Austin is still smiling. And just as the summer signing from Bristol Rovers hopes that spending a Saturday afternoon gazing out helplessly across the River Severn is a one-off, he intends to keep it that way.

Austin, who still lives in Bristol, should have made his home Swansea debut against Cheltenham last weekend, but a serious accident on the M4 meant that he had not even paid his £4.60 to get over the bridge by the time the game kicked off.

That rather unfortunate blip apart - not to mention his sending off against QPR on Tuesday - the powerhouse defender is relishing his new life in South Wales.

"Last Saturday was an absolute nightmare," says Austin.

"I've never had anything like it in my career."

Even as he speaks a few days on, the banter from team-mates about his non-appearance at Vetch Field continues to fly.

Austin takes it on the chin, then continues: "There was a major crash and the motorway was shut from about 6.30 in the morning.

"I left my house at 11.30am, which should have given me ample time, but as I came over the bridge I just got stuck right in the middle of it all.

"The furthest I got was just over the bridge before I eventually turned round and got home at 4.30pm.

"I should have been making my home debut and it was disappointing to miss that, but the worst thing was feeling I'd let the gaffer and the rest of the lads down.

"Having me phoning in and saying I was stuck in traffic and then them having to reorganise wasn't exactly the best way for them to start the game.

"Luckily enough for me they went on to do okay."

While his absence last weekend was not his fault, you get the sense Austin will not let the same thing happen again.

"To be honest, I would have preferred to have come down and stayed in Swansea on the Friday night," he adds, "but it just didn't work out that way.

"I'll be quite happy to do that in future."

No doubt the Cheltenham palaver will be all but forgotten by the time Austin - all outside factors permitting - finally takes his Vetch Field bow when Lincoln visit on Monday.

And the reliability and no-nonsense style which made the 31-year-old a hit at Rovers should very quickly endear him to the massed ranks of Swansea fans who have yet to see him in action.

"Apart from the past few days, everything's gone really well for me since I came to Swansea," smiles Austin, a Londoner whose career has also taken in spells at Leyton Orient, Lincoln, Barnsley, Brentford and Cambridge.

"I loved it at Bristol Rovers and really enjoyed my time there, but the opportunity to come to Swansea was too good to turn down.

"I was out of contract at Rovers and there was something on offer in the summer, but towards the end of my time there I felt something could have been sorted out sooner.

"I made the decision to come here and I'm glad I did.

"There's a great set of lads here and I'm just hoping I'll be able to play my part in what will be a successful season."

A fit Austin will no doubt have a major role under Kenny Jackett, who brought him into the club specifically to add physical power to a squad he felt was sadly lacking in that department.

The man himself is upbeat about his chances of having a big impact at Swansea -- he says his reputation for being susceptible to injury is unfair - and he is equally optimistic about his new club's chances of making a mark in League Two.

"A lot of people are talking about my old club doing well and I think Bristol Rovers will definitely be up there," says Austin, who sat out today's game at Cambridge through suspension.

"They are favourites because of the signings they've made and the manager (Ian Atkins) they've brought in.

"A club that size deserves some success - and Swansea do for exactly the same reason.

"This is a big club and we've got good players here too, so I don't see any reason why we can't get up there with them.

"I know we haven't started brilliantly, but it's still early days and all we've got to do is iron out one or two things.

"There are some good teams in this league, I know that, but there's nothing really for us to be scared of."

RELIEVED Swansea manager Kenny Jackett was lifting a glass of vintage French plonk last night as he toasted his summer import Willy Gueret.

Lee Trundle's spectacular early strike might have secured only the Swans' third win in 13 matches under the former Wales defender, but it was Paris-born Gueret who took full honours with a string of stunning second- half saves.

The Frenchman, 31, cruelly discarded by Millwall chief Dennis Wise in June, spiked the guns of Daniel Chillingworth, Darren Quinton, Abdou El Kholti and Jermaine Easter.

Even Cambridge's French manager Herve Renard, a former Cannes star, described Gueret as "magnifique" and admitted: "Swansea deserved their result because they worked so hard defensively.

"I'm frustrated, but you couldn't take anything away from their goalkeeper's [Gueret] performance."

In truth, this maximum was also a triumph for Jackett's new-fangled strategy.

The 42-year-old Welshman, under fire for his route-one soccer, switched from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 to great effect. Spaniard Roberto Martinez returned, as did towering blond raider Paul Connor. And there were also first starts of the campaign for defender Izzy Iriekpen and winger Brad Maylett. And Jackett admitted that the ferocious criticism levelled at him by furious Swans followers after their team's 3-0 Carling Cup hammering at QPR last Tuesday had made an impression.

He admitted: "The Swansea fans weren't happy with the way we were playing and they certainly let me know. Maybe my players were trying to move the ball too frantically from the back. I accepted the criticism and sat down and told the lads to try and take an extra touch of the ball. This is something I've persevered with in training all week."

Jackett is now urging his charges to smash another barricade in Bank Holiday Monday's Vetch clash with Lincoln. He said: "If we could get six points over the weekend it would be fantastic. I want to register my first Swans home victory - the sooner this happens, the better!" Yet Jackett, who's received the dreaded vote of confidence from Vetch chairman Huw Jenkins recently, had seen his strugglers score only once in 299 minutes of soccer coming into this game. Cambridge were almost as goal shy as their visitors.

The U's, hovering in mid-table, hadn't found the net for over three and a half hours.

Perhaps understandably, Cambridge rang the changes with defender Andy Duncan, Chillingworth and Danny Webb.

Highly-rated Luke Guttridge slotted into a midfield four and home chief Renard cut a satisfied silhouette as his U's poured forward in a frenetic opening.

Former Darlington schemer Ashley Nicholls sent a 20-yard drive screaming across Gueret's goal in the first minute and only Martinez's timely challenge halted Guttridge after Justin Walker had supplied on the edge of the area.

Nicholls then saw his tame effort cannon back off Iriekpen after Sam Ricketts had been shredded by ex-Wales youth cap Easter on the right.

Guttridge then attempted to embarrass Gueret with a long-range chip. But Swansea were desperately unlucky not to be in front on 19 minutes.

Justin Walker needlessly crunched Andy Robinson, and the ex-Tranmere player scrambled to his feet before sending a curling free-kick fractionally wide of Ruddy's near post.

But the Swans made a critical breakthrough only four minutes later as Cambridge paid the highest possible penalty for some comedy defending.

Gueret's looping clearance saw Angus and Duncan collide. And advancing Trundle took one touch before crashing a left-foot special into the roof of the net.

It was the wisecracking Scouser's 23rd Swans strike. But there was no joke about Alan Tate's error moments later. The former Manchester United defender's slip allowed Webb to spear against a post.

Yet the Swans always seemed potent in attack.

The U's were wobbling again during half-time stoppage time. Robinson launched a pinpoint right-side corner - with a leaping Iriekpen fractionally off target from eight yards.

Artistic invention was at a premium in this encounter. And Leicestershire referee Kevin Friend flashed yellow at Swansea's Kris O'Leary and the U's Nicholls in separate confrontations.

Jackett's charges had to stand tall as rejuvenated Cambridge played two new cards around the hour, teenagers Darren Quinton and Dan Gleeson replacing Angus and Webb. Battered Swansea only maintained buoyancy thanks to the heroics of that man Gueret.

The agile stopper gathered Chillingworth's low drive at the second attempt and he did even better to clasp Quinton's rising rocket on 66 minutes. Justin Walker then released El Kholti.

The former Yeovil schemer cut through Tate, but saw his angled shot beaten back by Gueret who also blocked out Easter as the gritty Swans held onto all three points.

SWANSEA CITY bosses have urged supporters to get off Kenny Jackett's back as pressure mounts on the club's under-fire manager.

Vetch chairman Huw Jenkins made the plea last night after Jackett was taunted by a section of Swans fans during Tuesday's 3-0 Carling Cup thrashing by Queens Park Rangers.

A number of dismayed Swans supporters chanted "Jackett, sort it out" while some even shouted, "You can have him back." A message to QPR fans where Jackett used to work as No 2 to Ian Holloway.

Jackett is struggling to win over the fans with Swansea having collected only four points from their opening four League Two matches and just two wins from the 12 competitive games he has been in charge of since succeeding Brian Flynn in April.

His team's meek surrender at Loftus Road led to more criticism from the fans - and Jenkins admitted the Swans boss will only silence the doubters completely when results begin to improve.

But Jenkins stressed Jackett continued to enjoy the full support of the Swans board and, speaking ahead of an important bank holiday programme that includes matches against Cambridge and Lincoln, he urged fans to also throw their full support behind him.

"On Tuesday night we had to hold our hands up and accept QPR were 10 times better than us and you could understand the fans being disappointed with that," said Jenkins.

"The reality of a football manager's job these days is it's about results and, to an extent, managers have got to put up with a certain level of criticism from supporters.

"The only way you're going to completely stop people having a go at you is to start winning football matches.

"But I also believe we're not going to move this club forward unless we put our effort into supporting the team and getting right behind the manager.

"We've got two important matches this weekend and I'd urge our supporters not to give Kenny any more stick.

"Hopefully, we'll get something at Cambridge on Saturday and then we need everyone to get behind Kenny and the team at home to Lincoln on Monday."

Jenkins went on, "Kenny has got our total backing. He signed a two-year contract and we expect him to see that out and beyond.

"Obviously Kenny needs results to get the supporters on side and at the moment they have been harder to achieve than we would've liked.

"But people have got to realise that the club is heading in the right direction with Kenny in charge.

"The players he's brought to the club are exactly the type we thought he would bring and his attention to fitness and discipline has been first class.

"Knowing how fickle some people can be, as soon as results begin to turn, I'm sure everyone will settle down and be fully behind Kenny."

Jackett has been criticised by some supporters for the direct style of football he has introduced at the Vetch.

But, though he admits performances haven't quite been up to the required standard, Jenkins is confident Jackett's methods are working and will soon start to yield results.

"I think we all want slightly better performances than we've had so far," said Jenkins.

"But look at it game by game. Against Northampton we weren't that far off and could've easily have gone in front.

"Then we produced a good performance to beat a Rochdale side who've since proved they're better than everyone was saying.

"I thought we should've beaten Macclesfield and we were unlucky against Cheltenham.

"As for QPR, I think they gave us a demonstration of what Kenny's trying to do at Swansea.

"They were a big, physical side who held the ball up and played football in the right area of the pitch - the final third.

"It was a lesson, if you like, in the style of football that is needed to get out of not only League Two, but League One as well."

Giving a vote of confidence to under-fire Kenny Jackett, Queens Park Rangers manager Ian Holloway says his old pal is the type of bloke you can trust with your life and trust with your wife. And the point is?

Jackett will stand or fall at Vetch Field on whether he can propel Swansea City up the league, not on how loyal a mate he is.

My guess is that the North Bank couldn't give a damn over whether anyone has designs on Mrs Holloway.

But they are concerned that their side has started the season with all the confidence of Bambi on ice - sprawling out of the Carling Cup and languishing in 18th place in the bottom division.

''I do not think there's anything the man cannot do,'' says Holloway, implying water might be turned into wine and the sick might be healed if only Swans' fans are patient enough.

Well, deeds rather than words will dictate whether Jackett has a long-term future at Vetch Field.

It is still early days - though Paul Sturrock received the boot at Southampton before he was absolutely certain where his office was - and he deserves more time to show that his brand of football can take the Swans forward.

But he needs to understand why supporters are restless.

From the sanctuary of Loftus Road, Holloway argues differently.

''You have got to play the right type of football for the league you are in and I do not know anybody who has passed their way out of the bottom division,'' he says.

''I think Swans' fans are living in the past. Yes, in the 80s they were in the top flight and you could pass the ball there and that's great, but it's not going to work now.''

It worked for Fulham when they rose through the divisions a few years ago and it almost worked for Swansea when Jan Molby, one of the greatest passers of a ball to grace British football in the last two decades, was in charge in the late 90s.

Molby took his side to a play-off final at Wembley, only to see them lose to a stoppage-time goal against Northampton after dominating the game for long periods.

It is simply absurd to say a side that plays football cannot prosper at a lower level.

Every team needs ball-winners, but ball-users will always be as important, even in League Two.

And every manager has to be in tune with the traditions of his club.

The Wales rugby team's former conditioning coach Steve Black, who also worked with a number of leading Premiership footballers, once argued that if a coach or team boss in any sport ignored the culture of his club failure would be more than likely.

Black, a Geordie, saw at close quarters how Kevin Keegan ignited hope among the Toon Army with the dazzling Newcastle side he put together in the 90s. With the likes of Andy Cole, David Ginola, Faustino Asprilla, Peter Beardsley and Alan Shearer in their ranks, the Magpies played superb football that took them into Europe and to within an ace of winning the Premiership.

His spell at St James's Park will be remembered as a golden era for Newcastle football.

Contrast that with George Graham's spell at Tottenham.

Graham, a manager renowned for building organised sides who placed special emphasis on defence, was considered a cuckoo in the nest at White Hart Lane - partly because he had previously managed Arsenal, Spurs' arch rivals, but also because he attempted to promote a structured game at a club who have always valued flair.

So Jackett will probably do well to take on board the supporters' views.

As manager he can leave out whoever he wants, and for whatever reasons, but if things go wrong questions are bound to be asked.

During Swansea's FA Cup run last season, in certain games Lee Trundle looked a player apart, blessed with skill, invention and a nose for goal.

Trundle's fitness has been questioned and maybe there is scope for him to be even sharper, but he doesn't seem to be doing a bad job and is surely good enough to be a first-choice in a League Two club.

Swans' watchers tell me pretty much the same should apply to club captain Roberto Martinez.

Swansea may yet prosper under Jackett, but he should not be too quick to embrace his mate Holloway's view that the club's fans are living in the past.

They pay good money and want to see successful and entertaining football.

There is nothing old-fashioned or outdated about that.

Swansea City manager Kenny Jackett said he was not too concerned after being the subject of criticism from Swansea fans during the 3-0 defeat at QPR.
"When you don't get results that's what happens in professional football," said Jackett after the Carling Cup loss.

"The fans pay their money and are entitled to air their views. We've got to look to bounce back against Cambridge on Saturday.

"We've got two big games coming up on the weekend."

But QPR manager Ian Holloway said he was astonished by the attitude of the Swansea fans towards Jackett - his former assistant at Loftus Road - and his style of play.

He told them to "stop living in the past" and to get behind their manager.

"Swansea used to be a Premier League team and they were great days," said Holloway.

"But the fans need to start being realistic about where they are and they're going to get out of there.

"People talk about the fundamental type of football that QPR have always played, but you can't play that when people are squeezing, pressing and kicking your backside. They won't let you do it. "So all I'm saying is hang on in there, have a looked at his (Jackett's) record and give him a fair chance. They've got a fantastic man there."

QUEENS PARK RANGERS boss Ian Holloway has accused Swansea City supporters of living in the past in launching a staunch defence of his former No 2 Kenny Jackett.

Holloway blasted Swans fans for turning on Jackett during Swansea's miserable 3-0 Carling Cup defeat at Loftus Road on Tuesday night.

The outspoken former Bristol Rovers manager insisted Swansea supporters should give Jackett time to build a successful team rather than get on his back just five games into the season.

And Holloway had a blunt message for those fans unhappy with the direct style of football Jackett has introduced at the Vetch - "If you want to win promotion, you've got to do it Kenny's way."

He said, "To those people at Swansea who want a passing game, I would tell them to stop living in the past.

"I remember the days when Swansea were in what is now the Premier League and perhaps people are still harking back to that. But you tell me one team that's managed to pass their way out of the division Swansea are in now.

"Start being realistic about where you are. You're not going to get out of League Two playing nicey, nicey football.

"Not when you've got teams are on your backside all the time, squeezing you out and knocking you all over the shop.

"You've got to play football that suits the league you're in."

Jackett is struggling to win over Swans fans having won just two of the 12 competitive games he has been in charge since arriving at the club in April.

And the dismal Carling Cup performance will have offered scant encouragement ahead of a weekend trip to Cambridge already being seen as a 'must-win' game in some quarters.

But, never one to mince his words, Holloway, who had Jackett as his assistant for three years at Loftus Road, went on, "You're only as good as the players you've got.

"Kenny's got a number of good players at Swansea, but it's not Kenny's fault if there were some poor players there in the past.

"At QPR it took Kenny and me three years to build a team that could win promotion.

"I don't know whether he's being given a fair chance down at Swansea, but he should be."

During Tuesday's match Swans fans chanted 'Jackett, sort it out' and some were even heard to shout 'You can have him back' to the home supporters.

"What the hell were they doing singing that to Kenny?" Holloway snapped. "They should realise that they've got a good man there.

"Everything Kenny Jackett does smacks of honesty, hard work and integrity."

Queens Park Rangers boss Ian Holloway launched a stinging attack on Swansea City's fans after they turned on Kenny Jackett during last night's miserable 3-0 Carling Cup defeat at Loftus Road. Large sections of the 700-strong travelling support vented their frustration towards Jackett while backing axed club skipper Roberto Martinez as Swansea succumbed meekly to their Championship opponents.

And while many home fans responded by singing in support of their former assistant manager, Holloway tore a strip off the Swansea contingent for failing to give his old mate a chance to succeed at Vetch Field.

''What the hell were they doing having a go at Kenny like that?'' Holloway exclaimed.

''I was very, very surprised and very upset to hear a group of people who are supposed to be Swansea fans singing like that about their own manager.

''You've got to give people a chance, especially someone with Kenny's record and his 13 years' experience in coaching.

''From what I can see Kenny's got some good players there, but you've got to play the right type of football for the league you're in and I don't know anybody who has passed their way out of the bottom division.

''I think Swansea's fans are living in the past. Yes in the 1980s they were in the top flight and you could pass the ball there and that's great, but it's just not going to work now.

''You can't play that sort of farty football when you've got people squeezing you and pressing you and kicking you in the backside.

''I remember last time we played Swansea (in 2001), I didn't enjoy that. We lost 4-0 down there and their game was all about knocking it over the top to two quick, powerful strikers. No-one was complaining that night.''

Holloway, who worked alongside Jackett for three years in West London, continued: ''It was a shock when he left and I wasn't happy because I had lost a very, very good member of staff.

''I tried to get him a long-term contract because I felt if he ever left we should have got a fee, but unfortunately I couldn't get the contract and he wanted to go and be a manager.

''Kenny is very good at what he does and I'm sure he will be a success.

''As a manager you're only as good as your players, and it seems to me hearing the songs about Lee Trundle and Roberto Martinez that there are some at Swansea who will never put a foot wrong in the fans' eyes.

''What I do know is that Kenny is the ultimate professional and his dedication and knowledge are second to none.

''He deserved the credit here when we got promoted.- I talked about him to the cameras after our win at Sheffield Wednesday (which sealed promotion) because the players felt so strongly about him.

''I don't think there's anything the man can't do. There aren't many who you can trust with your life and trust with your wife, but Kenny's one of them.

''At the end of the day fans rule football, but Swansea's should remember that Rome wasn't built in a day.''

Jackett, whose side lost comfortably to goals from Jamie Cureton, Martin Rowlands and Kevin Gallen, said afterwards that fans were entitled to their opinions.

He added: ''Things don't happen overnight when you got to a new club, but I'm not going to turn round to the supporters and say this or that. They have their feelings and they will air them.''

The Swansea boss was due to speak to referee Steve Tanner today about the chances of an appeal over Kevin Austin's late red card last night.

The 31-year-old defender faces a possible one-match ban.

SINCE taking charge at Swansea a few short months ago, Kenny Jackett has often expressed his admiration for the quality of the attacking players he used to coach at Queens Park Rangers.

You could appreciate what he meant last night as former pupils Jamie Cureton, Martin Rowlands and Kevin Gallen saw off a woeful Swansea side to ensure Jackett had a miserable return to his former club in this Carling Cup first-round clash.

Cureton started the rout on 39 minutes when he converted Gino Padula's in-swinging free-kick with a clinical far-post volley.

Rowlands smashed home a rebound on 76 minutes and Gallen lobbed keeper Willy Gueret in stoppage time as Rangers saw off the hapless Swans with embarrassing ease.

And it could have been even worse for the Vetch Field side when defender Kevin Austin was sent off with four minutes to go for hauling down Kevin McLeod inside the area.

But Gallen spared Jackett further misery when he struck the resulting spot-kick against the crossbar.

There were no redeeming factors for the Swans as the likes of Gallen, Rowlands and Paul Furlong exposed a huge gulf in class between the two teams in front of a crowd of less than 5,000.

Jackett had asked his players to put on a good show on his return to Loftus Road, but they did anything but.

Sure, it is how Swansea get on in League Two that matters most but this performance will have done nothing to lift confidence levels ahead of a potentially-tricky trip to Cambridge at the weekend.

Swansea were never in the game. They chased shadows all evening, the midfield was non-existent and the forward-line completely ineffective.

"Jackett, sort it out," chanted the visiting fans as a depressing evening wore on and there is no doubt he will have a few things to sort out after this display.

A cup upset never looked on the cards for Jackett as he brought his new team to Loftus Road less than five months after leaving his post as assistant manager there to take the top job at the Vetch.

Last night was a distraction from the league, but Jackett wanted to see signs there will be an improvement on a start to the League Two campaign which has seen Swansea pick up just four points from the opening four matches.

Given QPR had made a worse start to their season - two points from a possible 12 - before the match Jackett must have surely fancied Swansea's chances of progressing to the next stage of the cup.

Upon seeing that Lee Trundle had been awarded a starting place after rescuing the Swans against Cheltenham at the weekend, the 1,000-odd travelling supporters must have felt pretty confident of that too.

Paul Connor was the man who dropped to the bench as Jackett made just one further change to the side that drew 1-1 with the Robins, Austin slotting into the centre of defence for Stuart Jones.

Brazil World Cup-winning captain Dunga is apparently one of the men behind a consortium trying to buy into QPR, but just like watching the boys in yellow this was not.

Never mind samba beat, there was little rhythm of any description in the first 30 minutes of this contest with both teams scuffing their passes on a slippery surface.

But Holloway would have been the happier of the two managers - marginally - since it was his side who looked most like livening up a monotonous opening period.

On 13 minutes Furlong threatened to put the home side 1-0 up with a blistering strike from the edge of the area that Gueret had to beat away.

Six minutes later and it was Cureton's turn to fire Swansea a warning shot, sending a 25-yard effort just wide of the left-hand post after Kris O'Leary had conceded possession needlessly.

Swansea were not in the game. They could not get any passing going and simply holding to the ball was proving beyond them. Not until Trundle saw a wicked 20-yard free-kick deflected out for a corner on 34 minutes did the visitors threaten to trouble Chris Day in the QPR goal.

It came as no surprise, then, to see Rangers take the lead six minutes before the interval.

After the home side were awarded a free-kick out on the left, Padula swung a tantalising cross to the far post for the unmarked Gallen to volley emphatically past Gueret.

The game needed that goal and, after Padula went close on the stroke of half time with a left-foot volley that flew over the crossbar, Jackett was probably mightily relieved to hear the referee blow up for half time.

Six minutes after the restart Padula tried his luck from similar distance, unleashing a piercing low drive that drew another good save from Gueret.

Confident Rangers began to dominate and when O'Leary and Garry Monk became the third and fourth Swansea men to enter the referee's notebook for a reckless tackle - Adrian Forbes and Andy Robinson had been booked earlier - it symbolised the growing frustration in the visitors' ranks.

Forbes tried to pull something out of the hat for the visitors with a speculative 35-yard lob but it flew harmlessly over the bar.

When Rangers made it 2-0 with 14 minutes to go it was effectively game over.

Midfielder Lee Cook sent in a cross from the left and substitute Marcus Bean slid in with a shot that struck the post, but Rowlands was on hand to lash in the rebound.

The Swans boss must have despaired when Austin received his marching orders and, though Gallen fluffed the penalty, things did soon turn from bad to worse. And Jackett's misery was complete when Gallen picked up a pass from McLeod wide on the right and beat Gueret with a delicious lob.

It might have been the cup. They might have been playing a team two divisions higher than them. But that doesn't matter.

Swansea will still have to do a lot better than this.

SWANSEA CITY boss Kenny Jackett insists there will be no room for sentiment when he returns to former club Queens Park Rangers tonight.

Just four months after leaving to take charge at the Vetch, Jackett is set for an intriguing return to Loftus Road with Swansea in the first round of this season's Carling Cup.

The former Wales international will aim to mastermind the cup downfall of a side he helped steer towards promotion before accepting the manager's job at Swansea in April.

And Jackett will occupy the opposite dug-out to the man he stood alongside for three years as Rangers' assistant manager, close friend Ian Holloway.

But the pragmatic Jackett insists he is too concerned with ensuring Swansea show an improved performance in west London to get wrapped up in the emotion of the occasion.

"It'll be terrific to go back to QPR - I had three good years there and worked with some very good people," he said.

"I didn't think I'd be going back so soon, but I'm pleased to have the opportunity and I'll be proud to go there as manager of Swansea City.

"Having said that, to a certain degree I am trying to put all the sentiment of the occasion to one side.

"Though it might feel a bit strange to be in the opposite dug-out, the overall improvement of my team is what will be uppermost in my mind.

"We've got a job to do and that's what I'm focused on. We've got an opportunity to build on our performance against Cheltenham on Saturday and do well in a cup competition."

Holloway was disappointed when Jackett left Loftus Road just as QPR were entering the critical phase of their bid to escape from the old Second Division.

But Rangers went on to secure automatic promotion to the Coca-Cola Championship and the club's former management duo have remained in close contact.

"I speak to Ian quite regularly," said Jackett. "He usually phones me at the latter end of the week to wish me all the best for the Saturday game and vice-versa.

"We may talk about how things are going with each other. Ian's a great fella. I don't think anyone who knows him would have a bad word to say about him. But I don't think we'll be speaking before this game!"

Swansea have made a disappointing start to their league season, but Jackett can take heart from the fact Rangers have also started poorly.

The west London club are second bottom of the Championship after picking up only two points from their opening four matches, including a 2-0 home defeat to Derby on Saturday. "This is possibly a good time to play them," said Jackett, who would not reveal whether Lee Trundle would start the match after he came off the bench to rescue a point for Swansea in the weekend 1-1 draw with Cheltenham.

"But Rangers have got a number of very good players. Forwards like Paul Furlong, who has played at the highest level, and Kevin Gallen.

"And even though they haven't made a terrific start to the season, they will put that right in the weeks to come.

"I just hope that it doesn't happen against us."

Jackett added, "At the weekend I thought we played very well without managing to finish Cheltenham off.

"QPR gives us the chance to build on that. It's an opportunity to show what we can do and perhaps have some glory.

"Something has to break for us. When it does, I think things will snowball. And for me personally there would be no better place to get that breakthrough than Loftus Road."

There was bad news for Swansea's former Rangers striker Dennis Oli yesterday when Jackett revealed he would not be offered an extension to his contract which expires at the end of August.

Swansea City will not offer striker Dennis Oli an extension to his contract which ends at the end of August.

Oli, who is on a month-to-month contract, has made only one appearance so far this season after joining on a free transfer in the summer.

With four fit strikers in the squad, manager Kenny Jackett feels Oli will have limited opportunities to play.

"He wasn't a sub on Saturday and he's unlikely to feature on Tuesday (against QPR)," Jackett told BBC Wales Sport.

That first round Carling Cup match at Loftus Road will take Jackett back to the club he left in April to take charge at the Vetch.

And the former Wales international, who spent three years as assistant to QPR manager Ian Holloway, believes his side can cause an upset against the Championship side.

"Usually, there are one or two shocks in the early rounds of the cup and we hope it can be our day," Jackett said.

"QPR are a very good side and strong at home, we realise that. But we've got an improving team. We've got a side capable of doing well this season.

"Despite this being a cup competition, it will give us a springboard and maybe give us some confidence and edge to take into our league campaign."

Lee Trundle has promised Kenny Jackett more goals after saving Swansea City from defeat against Cheltenham on Saturday. Last season's 21-goal top-scorer needed just 20 minutes of the new campaign to open his account after returning as a substitute after almost two months out knee ligament trouble.

And Trundle, who hopes to start in the Carling Cup at Queens Park Rangers tomorrow night, has told Jackett he will keep on scoring as long he is picked.

''It doesn't matter who the manager is, I will still go out and play my game,'' the Scouse striker said.

''The sad thing is some managers don't like players me. Yes sometimes I will lose the ball, but that's the type of player I am - and I will always get you goals.''

Trundle, hailed by Cheltenham boss John Ward as the best striker in League Two, continued: ''The new manager hasn't told me to stop doing my tricks or to do anything differently really.

''The one difference is that we are a lot more direct than we were under Brian Flynn. Kenny Jackett wants us to get it forward as early as possible which can mean missing the midfield and then them joining in.

''Personally I would rather have the ball into my feet, but it can work both ways if you've got a big targetman who's going to win things.''

Trundle, a 56th-minute replacement for Paul Connor, latched onto Andy Robinson's measured free-kick to crash home an equaliser just as Swansea were drifting towards a third defeat in four Coca-Cola outings.

''Hopefully I've done enough to get a start against QPR,'' he added.

''I am just desperate to get a run in the side now and as a team we're keen to improve our results.

''We've got to be winning at home against teams like Cheltenham and hopefully we can get it right sooner rather than later.''

Former QPR No. 2 Jackett returns to Loftus Road believing his side are on the up despite a slow start to the season.

He said: ''I would have liked more than four points, but I think we're stepping in the right direction performance-wise and if we keep doing that results will follow.

''Even if we'd lost on Saturday I would still have been encouraged by the performance.

''If we dominate and create the chances and have the set-pieces we had against Cheltenham, we'll win more than we lose.''

Swansea will have Kevin Austin back in contention tomorrow night after the Bristol-based defender missed Cheltenham's visit because of traffic congestion on the M4.

Jackett revealed that Austin may have to stay in Swansea the night before games in future.

Second-choice goalkeeper Brian Murphy was left out of Swansea's 16 on Saturday for tactical reasons.


Former Swan Stuart Roberts, meanwhile, scored in the first minute of his debut for Kidderminster at Mansfield.

Considering Lee Trundle had just saved him from a verbal volley of rotten tomatoes, Kenny Jackett was not exactly chucking the roses at Swansea City's star striker on Saturday night. Trundle's cameo appearance against prevented Swansea's worst start to a league campaign since 1996 - when they took only three points from a possible 12 - and meant his manager did not go home with boos ringing in his ears.

Dissenting voices were growing ever louder among home fans as a Cheltenham side whose ambitions this season do not stretch beyond League Two survival edged closer to a Vetch Field victory.

''Jackett: Sort it out'' was one chant from the North Bank before Trundle's intervention.

Indeed, only Trundle's return after almost two months in the treatment room denied the Robins, leaving their manager, John Ward, to hail the 27-year-old as the finest forward in the division.

Jackett, though, was less gushing in his praise as, for the first time under his stewardship, a post-match press conference at the Vetch centred on the Scouse striker.

Had Trundle's arrival changed the contest?

''I felt he gave us fresh legs and along with (fellow substitute) Brad Maylett gave us a bit of threat,'' the Swansea boss said.

''Cheltenham's back-four were puffing a bit and the two of them made an impact. That's what you want from your bench because it's a squad game these days.''

Surely Jackett would now have problems leaving Trundle out of his side, wouldn't he?

''I don't think there are any problems with having good players around,'' he added.

''I will have to consider whether he now starts on Tuesday night.''

Jackett, it is widely accepted, is extremely fortunate to have inherited a player like Trundle - one who can turn League Two matches in an instant - when he succeeded Brian Flynn.

So how excited is he about working with former Wrexham player Trundle?

''I thought he used his body very well on defenders,'' came the reply. ''Alan Tate knocked a couple of lovely balls down the line to him and he made them stick on his chest.''

Surely, the question came again, he couldn't consider leaving a player with such talent and such influence out of his side.

''I have been pleased with Lee's attitude and his fitness work has been good,'' Jackett said.

Swansea do not have many players like him, do they?

''There aren't many around like him, that's true.''

There were times last season when Flynn ran out of things to say about his headline-hogging frontman. You get the impression that whatever feats Trundle manages this season, Jackett will not suffer the same problem.

There was at least a hint of kudos for a player who, so the story goes, the former Queens Park Rangers No. 2 offered to Northampton during the close season.

''Lee is a very good finisher,'' Jackett went on.

''I've worked with Kevin Phillips, David Connolly, Paul Furlong and Kevin Gallen, and Lee is a good finisher.

''You put him in different situations in training, whether it's from crosses, through balls, in the inside right channel, inside left channel or with his back to goal and he knows where the goal is. That's a big thing.''

Trundle, as on 21 occasions last campaign, had just proved his finishing prowess to rescue a point for Swansea from a game which had started to look like their third defeat in four matches this season.

Spotted with only one marker - which is enough for most players, but not this one, it seems - at an Andy Robinson free-kick, Trundle rolled off David Bird and crashed a half-volley into the roof of the net.

''Once Trundle gets it there he is very hard to stop,'' moaned Cheltenham boss Ward.

''It's disappointing because we had talked specifically about preventing him getting into those positions in the first place.

''We talked about him coming on at half-time and we knew he would cause us problems and give Swansea a lift.

''We said we needed to ride that and, just as I thought we had got through it and the crowd had quietened down, he pulled the goal out.''

Ward continued: ''Trundle's probably the best striker in this league.

''His first touch was a back heel that sent Maylett through and he does things you cannot deal with.

''I just wish he hadn't come back from injury until next week, because then we might have been celebrating a win.''

At least Cheltenham's first-half goal counted for a point, for Grant McCann's jaw-dropping 30-yarder, which arrowed into the top corner from the left flank, deserved at least that much.

Swansea, though, were well worth a draw, for chances came even if their football, with playmaker Roberto Martinez once more in the stands, was at times uninspired.

As is the norm under Jackett, set-pieces played a big part - Paul Connor had a header well saved from one first-half corner and then planted a second on the angle of post and crossbar.

Kevin Nugent also hit the woodwork - via the excellent Shane Higgs's fingertips - after latching onto Willy Gueret's punt, while Cheltenham's goalkeeper leapt sharply to deny Tate at another Robinson corner.

Opposite number Gueret did his bit to foil Kayode Odejayi, then saw Sam Ricketts hacking Ashley Vincent's deflected cross out from under the bar.

But predictably, this was a day when Trundle, who barely put a golden boot wrong in 34 minutes, forced his way into the limelight.

Asked if he had ever managed a goal like McCann's, he admitted: ''I didn't see it because I was talking to someone on the bench.''

Then came a grin: ''But I probably have.''

Even if Jackett is not exactly singing it from the rooftops, it is good to have Trundle back.

LAST season it was possible to lose count of the number of times Lee Trundle got Swansea City out of jail.

Make no mistake - however reluctant boss Kenny Jackett was to admit it - the striker with the golden boots and the golden touch did so again on Saturday.

Had returning Vetch Field hero Trundle not leapt off the bench to salvage Swansea a point with 14 minutes of this match remaining, Jackett would have been reflecting on the club's worst start to a season in eight years.

We've been here many times. However many chances the Swans might have created before Trundle rode to the rescue, it was a familiar moan from supporters afterwards, Trundle's the only one who looks like scoring.

"If that's what people are thinking, then it's our job to prove them wrong," replied Jackett, who had the freshly-cropped Scouser to thank for averting a third defeat in four League Two matches.

"I've been in coaching and management for 13 years now so I'm used to constantly having to prove things.

"That will be the case when we go to Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday and Cambridge on Saturday.

"But I do know, that if we dominate and create the amount of chances and set-pieces that we did in this match, we'll win more than we lose."

Those who watched Swansea scrap away fruitlessly for 76 minutes might beg to differ.

Yes, Jackett's side could count themselves desperately unlucky not to score earlier, thwarted as they were on numerous occasions by a combination of the woodwork and some magnificent saves from Cheltenham's No 1 Shane Higgs.

But, until the 56th minute introduction of Trundle and Brad Maylett predictably injected some urgency into Swansea's game, and woke the crowd from their slumber for that matter, this was generally another unconvincing Swansea performance.

There were too many balls lumped long towards Paul Connor and Kevin Nugent - Leon Britton might as well have gone off and sat in the stands so redundant was he in the middle - and not enough penetrating passes, especially in a first half devoid of any real quality.

Apart from, that is, a Cheltenham goal that Robins boss John Ward hailed as one of the best he'd witnessed in his 30 years in football.

It arrived after Alan Tate tried to retrieve the ball off Ashley Vincent after conceding possession down the right. From Tate's tackle, the ball ran loose to Grant McCann, who curled a delicious left-foot shot into the top right corner of Willy Gueret's net from 30 yards.

"It was a goal that didn't really belong to the game, but I'd say it was one of the best I've come across and I've been in this business for 30 years," purred Ward.

But you can't keep a good man down and Trundle, returning from a knee injury that had ruled him out of almost the entire pre-season programme, produced a fine goal of his own to level matters and save Swansea's bacon for the umpteenth time.

Andy Robinson clipped in a free-kick from the left and Trundle held off his marker before finding the net with a trademark left-foot half-volley.

It was pure Trundle. For Swans fans starved of goals and entertainment so far this season, there was no better sight than the golden-booted striker coming onto the pitch and doing what only he seems able to do.

Not that Jackett was exactly throwing the superlatives around in his assessment of the 27-year-old marksman's contribution.

"I felt that he and Brad Maylett gave us a bit of a lift and some fresh legs," said Jackett when asked whether Trundle's arrival had changed the game.

"He finished his goal well - he's a very good finisher - and, having only played 60 minutes all pre-season, he looked strong and fit."

Ward, an old Watford colleague of Jackett's, was more generous in his praise of the Swansea showman, claiming Trundle was the best striker in League Two.

"I told Kenny before the game that I thought he'd brought Lee back a week too early, but he wouldn't listen to me," joked the former Bristol City boss.

"I thought we'd weathered the excitement created by him coming on, but then he went and showed why he's probably the best striker in the league."

Jackett, though, responded curiously when asked how excited he was to have the player on his books.

"Well, I thought he used his body very well on defenders today - not just for his goal where he held his man off, but also when the ball was knocked down the line for him he made it stick on his chest.

"I've just been pleased with his attitude from day one. His work towards his fitness has been very good."

There we are then. Jackett said he would have to carefully consider whether to throw Trundle in from the start when he takes Swansea to his former club Queens Park Rangers in the Carling Cup tomorrow.

The trip to Loftus Road will probably prove a welcome escape from the rigours of a league campaign that isn't quite going to plan so far.

"I wanted more than four points from the first four games, there's no doubt about that," admitted Jackett.

"But I think our performances are stepping in the right direction and, if you continue to do that, then the vast majority of the time results will follow.

"Had we lost 1-0 against Cheltenham I would've felt hard done by, but I still would've been encouraged by the performance.

"We've dominated for spells in most of our matches, but I thought this was the first one where we looked strong from start to finish."

Jackett had to reshuffle his defence after Bristol-based left-back Kevin Austin got stuck in the traffic tail-back resulting from an accident on the M4.

It was a somewhat farcical situation given that Jackett had stressed in the summer he wanted all his players to be based in Swansea.

"Bristol is borderline in terms of travelling distance," said Jackett. "What I might have to do in future is insist that Kevin stays over in Swansea on Friday nights."

Ward added of his old Vicarage Road team-mate, "I certainly think Kenny will do a good job at Swansea.

"There are signs of excitement in his team. And he's got a number of good players to work with.

"If you can take off Paul Connor and Adrian Forbes and send on Lee Trundle and Brad Maylett... that can't be bad."

ROUTE one football might not be tailored perfectly to his game, but Lee Trundle insists he can still thrive in Kenny Jackett's Swansea team.

Jackett's desire to get the Swans playing more direct football was in evidence again on Saturday with the ball often bypassing the midfield and knocked long to the two strikers.

With the emphasis on team work and hard graft, there were concerns that Trundle's maverick style of play would not be to Jackett's liking.

Such concerns were given credence in the summer when Northampton boss Colin Calderwood claimed Jackett offered to sell him the 27-year-old marksman, last season's top scorer with 21 goals.

Whether or not Jackett considers Trundle to be one of his first-choice strikers - he gave no indication of that after Saturday's draw - will doubtless become clear over the next few weeks.

But Trundle believes he can prosper under the new regime - without having to discard the box of tricks that made him such a firm favourite with the fans last term.

"I don't think it really matters who the manager is," said Trundle, who spared the Swans from a third defeat in four matches with his 76th-minute equaliser against Cheltenham.

"I still go out and play my own game. The manager hasn't told me to do anything different.

"He hasn't told me to stop doing the tricks.

"It's a sad thing if some managers don't really like players like that. Sometimes I am going to lose the ball, but that is the type of player I am.

"The important thing is I will get you goals."

Undoubtedly, Trundle's game was far more suited to the free-flowing brand of football Swansea played under former boss Brian Flynn.

He said, "Kenny drills it into the players to try and get the ball forward as early as possible, even if that means missing out the midfielders at first and them then joining in.

"It's a lot more direct than under Brian Flynn. Ideally I'd prefer the ball played into my feet.

"But, if you've got a big targetman who's going to win things for you, then it can work both ways."

Having finally returned from the knee problem that restricted him to little more than 60 minutes of reserve team action all summer, the former Wrexham man wants to make up for lost time.

"I hope I've showed enough to get a starting place in the Carling Cup match at Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday night," he said.

"It was great to get my first taste of first-team football this season against Cheltenham and I'm really looking forward to hopefully getting a run in the team.

"My season starts here."

KENNY JACKETT has revealed he still has money to burn in his attempt to build a promotion-winning Swansea City side, writes ANDY ROSE

The new-look Swans have started the campaign in less than barnstorming fashion with two defeats, a draw and a solitary victory in their opening three games.

Jackett received the full backing of the board during the summer as he brought in a string of new signings.

But so far he has failed to find the winning blend of old and new.

He has pointed to injuries to last season's 21-goal top scorer Lee Trundle and defender Izzy Iriekpen as a contributing factor to Swansea's disappointing start.

But now Jackett admits he may need to dip back into the transfer market and said there is extra cash available.

"It's hard to say what will happen in the future," said Jackett.

"But to some degree I need one or two new players and at the moment I'm not sure whether they will be those coming back from injury or from outside. Perhaps along the way I may add one of two new faces but it depends on how things go."

While Jackett ponders possible transfer targets, club captain Roberto Martinez remains on the outside looking in.

The Spanish midfielder has vowed to fight to regain his spot after being relegated from the starting line-up following the opening day defeat to Northampton.

Jackett has stopped short of publicly stating that Martinez has no future at the Vetch.

But he now appears open to offers for the crowd favourite.

"That's a difficult question," admitted Jackett when asked if he is ready to offload Martinez.

"I would have to cross that bridge when I come to it."

MAKING as big an impact as Lee Trundle did 12 months ago was always going to be a tall order for Swansea City striker Paul Connor.

This time last year Trundle had already struck four times as Swansea beat a path to the top of the table with three wins - and 11 goals - from their opening three matches of the season.

It has been a more sobering story this summer. Three games into the 2004-05 campaign and Swansea's return of two defeats, one win and only two goals has hardly inspired Swans fans in quite the same way as last year's opening.

And whereas Trundle, still battling his way back from a knee injury, was knocking them in for fun 12 months ago, Swansea's current first-choice striker is without a goal since the penultimate game of last season.

With Cheltenham's visit to the Vetch today giving Swansea the chance to atone for last week's 1-0 defeat at Macclesfield, Connor admits it is time he - and the rest of the shot-shy Swans side for that matter - enjoyed some success in front of goal.

"Before the season started the manager expressed a lot of faith in me that I'd score goals and I feel I need to repay that," said the 25-year-old, a £35,000 signing from Rochdale in March.

"Because of the huge competition we have now for places up front, no-one's position in the side is secure so I realise I need to be scoring.

"As a striker, that's what you want to be doing. Even if you have a good game, if you don't score you come off the pitch feeling disappointed with yourself.

"Generally, the team needs to start scoring more goals. We haven't made the great start to the season we all wanted and we're desperate to get things going in front of the home fans against Cheltenham.

"There's huge potential in our squad, but so far I don't think we've lived up to it; we haven't quite clicked properly yet.

"Now it's up to us to go out there and perform to the best of our abilities. Show people that we are a good side."

The former Stoke striker has had a frustrating couple of months. After firing blanks in his pre-season outings as well as Swansea's opening League Two encounters, Connor is anxious to register his first Swansea goal since the 2-1 win at Darlington on May 1.

But he insists he is not panicking. "You can't let your head go or get too down if you go a while without scoring," he said.

"As long as I keep working hard, as I feel I have been, I'm confident that sooner or later the goals will start to flow.

"What usually happens is once you get one, you go on a bit of a run and I'm hoping that's what will happen with me.

"As I said, the fact there are so many strikers at the club fighting for places - Lee Trundle will be back breathing down my neck again soon - keeps you on your toes and working hard.

"It means there's no danger of getting complacent and thinking your place is safe. You definitely feel a duty to score goals.

"Having said that, I do feel I bring other things to the team. I'll hold the ball up and bring other people into play.

"And if I don't manage to score, I'm happy if I can create chances for others with a cross or an assist of some kind."

While the respective goal-scoring records of the two strikers might come under scrutiny, at least Connor will no longer be compared to Trundle in the haircut stakes.

Last season's 21-goal top marksman unveiled a new shaven-headed look when he made a two-goal comeback in the reserves' midweek 4-2 defeat against Bristol Rovers.

But the visit of Cheltenham - who, like Swansea, have won one and lost two of their opening three matches - could be too soon for Trundle to be thrown straight back into first-team battle.

A place on the bench seems more likely as the Swans seek to chalk up their first home win of the season against John Ward's side.

It was just over a year ago that a Trundle hat-trick inspired Swansea to a 4-3 win over the Robins at Whaddon Road.

A home win and a clean sheet would doubtless be the ideal scenario for boss Kenny Jackett this time as he strives to marry attacking flair with a greater defensive stubbornness.

"Turning the Vetch into a fortress is what we've got to do if we're going to be successful this season," said Connor, expected to be joined up front again by veteran Kevin Nugent.

"We've got to look to win all of our home games and, after losing against Northampton on the opening day, and then again at Macclesfield last week, we've got a few things to put right."

WALES Under-21 cap Matt Somner has joined Swansea City on trial.

The 21-year-old Brentford player can play either in midfield or defence and has made 91 appearances for The Bees.

Swansea City have taken Brentford utility man Matt Somner on trial. The two-cap Welsh Under-21 international can play right across the back-four or in central midfield.

Aged just 21, Somner already has 91 senior appearances to his name - including 77 starts - but has fallen out of favour at Brentford since Martin Allen took charge last spring.

He is still under contract at Griffin Park but would be allowed to leave on a free transfer if he can impress at Swansea.

"We have got a reserve-team friendly against Bath next Wednesday and Matt will play," boss Kenny Jackett explained.

Somner, a product of Brentford's youth set-up, is a powerful six-footer who, despite being right-footed, has played most of his senior football on the left side of defence.

Meanwhile, Cheltenham striker Steve Guinan is hoping hard work on the training ground has ironed out defensive frailties ahead of tomorrow's trip to Vetch Field.

The former Nottingham Forest frontman, signed from Conference runners-up Hereford in the summer, is one of the more experienced players in John Ward's squad.

Guinan, a former target for ex-Swans boss Nick Cusack who hit 26 goals last season, made his first start of this campaign last week against Orient.

But he was unable to prevent a disappointing 2-1 reverse, the side's second home defeat in a row following on from Scunthorpe's victory at Whaddon Road.

Guinan, though, has been impressed with how his young team-mates have responded.

''You can tell already the lads have brightened up and haven't let it get to them,'' said Guinan, who could figure as a lone striker.

''In the past I've seen young players feel sorry for themselves, but you've just got to put it behind you and think about the next game.

''Hopefully come tomorrow, we'll see the benefit.

''We have got a lot of young players and some of them are not that experienced at this level, but we've worked really hard on the defending side of things over the last two days.''

Swansea City striker Lee Trundle has declared himself fully fit for tomorrow's League Two clash with Cheltenham. But boss Kenny Jackett, whose side have managed only two goals in three matches so far this season, is still refusing to confirm whether last term's top marksman will have any role to play this weekend.

Trundle, sidelined since the first week of pre-season by a knee ligament injury, scored twice in an hour-long appearance for Swansea's second-string in midweek.

And he boomed: ''I played for the reserves and didn't struggle at all and I definitely think I'm good enough to go on the bench at least tomorrow.

''I know the manager has said he wants to be cautious with it, but my knee is feeling 100 per cent now and my fitness is good as well so I'm ready and I definitely want to be involved.

''You can talk about match fitness, but the only way I'm going to build that up is by playing in matches.''

Fans' favourite Trundle, scorer of 21 goals last season, would seem the perfect man for Jackett to call on as his goal-shy side look for a second win of the season.

But the Swansea manager said: ''Lee looked sharp on Wednesday night - he probably had eight shots in an hour and got his goals.

''I thought he looked fit, but what I don't want is for him to suffer a re-occurrence of the problem.

''It's possible that Lee could give us something from the bench, we'll have to see. There's no point someone coming back too soon and then being out again, so we'll have to see whether he comes back now or next week.''

Scouser Trundle has fond memories of Cheltenham having scored a memorable 28-minute hat-trick against the Robins 12 months ago.

''I've said I want to beat last year's total of 21 so I need to get back playing and get on with it,'' the 27-year-old added.

''I hate watching from the stands and I'm itching to get back now. That day at Cheltenham was pretty special, but just being involved and getting one goal would do me tomorrow.''

Trundle continued: ''We need a win in front of our fans to keep them coming back, and we need to pick up some more points because one win out of three isn't a great start and we're down near the bottom of the league.''

This weekend's visitors sit one place above Swansea in the early-season table having scored one more goal.

John Ward's team have suffered two demoralising home defeats in their two previous games, though, and Swansea must target victory tomorrow.

''I used to play with John at Watford and he did a bit of scouting for us at QPR,'' Jackett said. ''His team will be very well prepared, but the big thing for me is to make sure we bounce back from losing at Macclesfield.

''This is a competitive league. The game we've won we were only a few per cent better, and the games we've lost we were only a few per cent worse.

''If we can find the extra few per cent consistently I think we will get the results we want on a regular basis.''

LEE TRUNDLE'S first-team return is still on hold.

The Swansea City showman, sidelined since pre-season with a knee injury, had been expected to make his return to the starting line-up against Cheltenham tomorrow after scoring twice in a reserve outing on Wednesday.

But Swansea physio Richie Evans cautioned that Trundle is still not ready to lead Kenny Jackett's front line and said it could be another two weeks before last season's top scorer is back in the first XI.

"It's too soon for him yet," said Evans, who has closely monitored Trundle's condition since he damaged ligaments in his knee in the first week back from the summer break.

"He had an hour for the reserves on Wednesday and he came through that fine. We didn't risk any more because of fatigue and danger of picking up something else because of that.

"But there were no repercussions after the game and Lee said he was feeling great when he came into training the following morning.

"I'm sure he can't wait to get back into it but he will probably have to make do with being on the bench for the next couple of weeks."

Trundle netted twice in a 4-2 defeat for Kevin Nugent's second string side against Bristol Rovers, hinting his knack for finding the net hasn't disappeared over the summer.

And with the injury limiting him to straight running alone, Evans claims Trundle will be fitter than ever when he is finally given the green light to resume his role in the Swans' attack.

"He's put a lot of hard work in since he's been back in training, he's been doing three gym sessions a day.

"But I still think he will only be able to manage the bench before he gets his match fitness back for at least the time being.

"The Carling Cup game against QPR is too early, but we have another reserve game the following day, so we will have to see after that."

Izzy Iriekpen has also been making steady progress. The 22-year-old centre-back missed the majority of pre-season with an ankle injury but, after a successful operation, he is on the road to recovery.

"Izzy's going really well and there's been no reaction as of yet," said Evans. "He's a little bit further behind Lee in terms of fitness so it will be another couple of weeks at least."

Brad Maylett has also complained of a back problem but should be fit in time for tomorrow's League Two encounter.

Lee Trundle is back in business - but he will not be in Swansea City's first-team line-up on Saturday. Trundle, who missed all three pre-season friendlies, the tour to Holland and Swansea's opening three Coca-Cola League matches with a knee injury, played for just over an hour for the second string last night, scoring both goals in a 4-2 defeat by Bristol Rovers in the Pontin's Holiday Combination.

Last night around 1,000 fans turned up to see last season's top scorer back in action and despite the result they went away happy after seeing Trundle smash home a spectacular volley and a penalty before leaving the pitch.

But player-assistant-boss Kevin Nugent, in charge of the reserves for the first time last night, said Saturday's home clash with Cheltenham may be a game too soon for Trundle.

''We don't want to be rushing people back, it's as simple as that,''' said Nugent.

''It's a long season and we want people there for the whole campaign, not just for the odd game or two.

''Rushing Lee back could risk further injury. That's already happened to him before and that's why it's taken so long for him to come back this time.

''He did very well and got two goals. I thought he looked a little over anxious at the start but he took his goals very well.

''Although he has been training on his own he hasn't joined in with the team since the first week of pre-season, so he has missed a lot.

''He joined in for the first time for the first two days this week. We will see how he feels tomorrow.

''Certainly there has been no decision on who is going to be playing on Saturday yet.''

Despite Swansea struggling to convert possession into goals in their opening three games. Nugent said that was no reason to bring Trundle back before he was ready for first-team action.

''We have had a lot of possession, a lot of territorial advantage and a number of crosses in our games so far and we haven't turned it into goals,'' Nugent added.

''Sometimes when it's like that and games are tight at 0-0 Trunds is very good and he can get a goal out of nothing.

''There is no doubt that he has that quality, but we definitely want to make sure that we keep on top of his injury.

''He had 60-odd minutes last night, that was always the plan for the game regardless and we shall see how he reacts today.

''Kenny Jackett watched the match and we shall sit down and speak about it and also talk to Lee to see how he feels.''

Nine players with first-team experience played night.

Roberto Martinez captained the side and Gary Fisken, James Thomas, Brad Maylett and Dennis Oli were among those given the chance to impress the watching manager.

Nugent is hoping that his reserve team can continue to be as strong as last night's.

''That was a very strong side without a doubt,'' he said.

''A few of the players haven't played 90 minutes for quite a while and is the second half that probably showed a little bit.

''No matter how much training you do you need to keep up the fitness for the games ahead and that's what this reserve league is all about.

''Although it was a disappointing result we had some young lads in there as well and it's a learning process for everyone.''

The West Terrace will not be open to Swansea fans for Saturday's match.

Those supporters wishing to travel with the official travel club to QPR for next Tuesday's Carling Cup clash should contact 07876 133428. Coaches leave Morriston Cross at 1.30pm and the Quadrant at 1.45pm and the cost is £16.

You can't keep a good man down. That was the message Lee Trundle sent to watching Swansea boss Kenny Jackett last night.

Last season's top scorer opened his 2004-05 account with two goals against a strong Bristol Rovers second string at Vetch Field to show the Swansea manager just what he has been missing.

Trundle has been kicking his heels for the first three matches of the new Coca-Cola League season while his striking colleagues have struggled to click in front of goal. But having nursed his way back from a knee injury picked up in pre-season, the Liverpool-born 27-year-old showed he has not lost his own scoring touch.

Trundle struck a spectacular 20th-minute volley to put Swansea in front last night before stepping up to send goalkeeper Ryan Clarke the wrong way from the penalty spot seven minutes later.

He struck up a decent partnership with the pacy Dennis Oli, too, as he eased his way back into match action and could have added to his tally before walking off to a healthy ovation from a crowd of around 1,000 who had come to see how last season's talisman would perform.

Trundle's goals were not enough to hand new reserve-team manager Kevin Nugent his first Pontin's Holiday Combination League win as Bristol Rovers fought back well to claim victory.

Rovers struck back through Lee Thorpe just before the break, before goals from Ryan Williams, summer signing Craig Disley and centre-back Liam Burns in the second half completed the comeback.

There were plenty of others in the Swansea side last night who were looking to prove a point to the watching manager - not least club skipper Roberto Martinez and the Spaniard set out his stall early on with a long-range effort which flew just wide.

Martinez struggled to get into the game in the first half, however and it was Brad Maylett, eager to show Jackett what he could do before a possible return in Saturday's League Two clash with Cheltenham, who shone.

He gave both Ijah Anderson on the left and German trialist Thorsten Dinkel at right-back a tough time in the first half.

But it was that man Trundle to stole the headlines in the first 45 minutes. He looked a little rusty early on but in seven first-half minutes he gave his adoring fans just what they wanted.

Antonio Corbisiero sent in a searching cross from the right and James Thomas won the ball in the air. As the ball dropped Trundle controlled it on his chest and slammed it into the roof of the net. It was as if he had never been away.

And when Oli had his shirt tugged by Ijah Anderson, the striker was the first to grab the ball and put it down on the spot before sending Clarke the wrong way.

It was just what Jackett had wanted, his top striker back fit and in the goals.

What the Swansea chief would not have liked so much was the defending that allowed the visitors back in the game.

Iriekpen, who himself looked comfortable in his first game back after his ankle operation, departed the scene with Trundle on 62 minutes just after Disley had headed Rovers into the lead after more defensive sloppiness.

Maylett continued his good form while Martinez still found it hard to get into the match and Rovers completed their comeback when Burns fired home after the home side had failed to clear a corner.

Score summary: Swansea - Trundle (20, 27 pen); Bristol Rovers -Thorpe (42), Williams (50), Disley (62), Burns (73)

Swansea: Harrison; Corbisiero, Surman, Jones, Iriekpen (Harrington 62), Martinez, Maylett, Fisken, Oli (Roberts 80), Trundle (Pritchard 62), Thomas. Subs not used: Letheren, Evans.

Brad Maylett could make his first start of the new season against Cheltenham on Saturday if Adrian Forbes fails to recover from a mystery virus. Former Burnley winger Maylett will step into Swansea City's second home game of the campaign if Forbes, who has been struggling with fatigue, is ruled out.

Swansea were today hoping for good news from doctors on Forbes, who was sent for blood tests earlier this week.

A summer acquisition from Luton, the 25-year-old has had a difficult start to life at Vetch Field and has been substituted in two of their three League Two games so far.

''We are waiting on the results of the tests Adrian had on Monday,'' Swansea physio Richie Evans explained.

''At this stage we don't know if he'll be okay for Saturday or not.''

Maylett, who impressed as Forbes's replacement at Macclesfield last Saturday, will get another chance to stake his claim when Swansea's second string host Bristol Rovers in the opening fixture of the Pontins Holidays Combination League tonight (7pm).

Club skipper Roberto Martinez will also be given the opportunity to impress alongside new-boy Gary Fisken, who plays in midfield despite breaking his nose in training on Monday.

Lee Trundle and Izzy Iriekpen return after injury lay-offs to bolster an already strong reserve line-up.

Striker Trundle and centre-back Iriekpen have hardly kicked a ball between them because of pre-season fitness problems, but could come into contention for Cheltenham's visit if they come through unscathed this evening.

Dennis Oli will partner Trundle in attack with fellow frontman James Thomas likely to be deployed on the left flank.

Stuart Jones is an eighth regular first-teamer who will start, while youth goalkeeper Ryan Harrison is expected to play as Brian Murphy is away on Irish Under-21 duty.

The visitors are also likely to field a side packed with first-team experience, with summer signing Craig Disley, from Mansfield, due for his first Rovers action after ankle trouble.

Lee Thorpe, Ryan Williams, Craig Hinton, Ryan Clarke, Ijah Anderson, Jon Beswetherick, Lewis Haldane and Liam Burns - the ex-Port Vale defender linked with the Vetch in the close season - are also expected to feature.

Lee Trundle may not feature against Cheltenham this weekend even if he comes through Swansea City's reserve clash with Bristol Rovers tomorrow night. Swansea's star striker hopes to prove he has shaken off a nagging ankle ligament injury which has troubled him since the start of pre-season, but boss Kenny Jackett, whose side have managed only two goals in three League Two matches so far, has played down the chances of last season's 21-goal top-scorer returning to first-team action at Vetch Field on Saturday.

''I'm not sure how long he will last, but Lee will play for the reserves tomorrow night and I will be there to see how he gets on," Jackett said.

''He is certainly looking fit - I think he has done more straight-line running than anybody else at the club because that's all the injury has allowed him to do.

''But he has done very little football work and has had no games yet really, so it will be a case of how sharp he looks and how good he looks tomorrow night.

''He certainly needs a full 90 minutes under his belt and he probably needs a couple of games really, so Cheltenham might be a little bit too soon.''

Even when he is fully match fit, Jackett suggested, Trundle will face a battle for a first-team place.

''Will he get straight back in? That depends on how we are doing at the time,'' he added. ''It's hard to look into the future.

''Kevin Nugent scored an excellent goal for us at Rochdale and, while he has yet to get his first goal, Paul Connor also gives us good physical presence up front.''

Centre-back Izzy Iriekpen is also poised to return to action for the second string having undergone ankle surgery during the summer.

Gary Fisken could also figure despite breaking his nose in training yesterday.

Swansea have greater concerns over another summer signing, Adrian Forbes, who has been complaining of fatigue.

''We've sent him for some blood tests because he has been feeling way below par in the last week,'' Jackett explained. ''He's felt sluggish and is struggling a bit and at the moment.''

Stuart Jones is available after being withdrawn from the Welsh Under-21 squad for the friendly in Latvia because of a family bereavement.

Late call-up Jamie Rewbury was also pulled out because of illness, but Brian Murphy has joined up with the Irish Under-21s.

Swansea's trip to Wycombe on September 18, meanwhile, has been made all ticket for travelling fans.

Swansea Supporters' Trust's annual meeting has been put back from tomorrow night to August 25.

Three games, two defeats and only two goals is not exactly the start to the new season Swansea City had hoped for, yet Kenny Jackett insists he is enjoying Coca-Cola. In the all-new Real League, as the sponsors are calling it, there has been no dream beginning for Swansea's fledgling leader, no smooth ride early on to help him on his way in what is only his second season as a manager.

After Macclesfield Town became the second League Two rivals inside the campaign's first eight days to topple his team, you might have expected Jackett to be just a little down in the mouth.

Not a bit of it.

''I don't think I've got a bad side,'' Jackett declared.

''We have still got some way to go and some improving to do, but judging from our first three performances I think there's quite a lot there in my team.

''We've only got one win out of those three and it's very frustrating not to score when we put so much pressure on Macclesfield, but there are some good players in the squad and I do think the goals are there.

''We deserved an equaliser because we didn't get turned over and the game never fell away from us.

''Their defending was terrific, that was important, as was the fact that we didn't create anything really clear-cut and failed to take the chances we did get.

''But the creativity is there. We have already had good performances from Leon Britton, Andy Robinson, Adrian Forbes and Brad Maylett as a substitute this season and hopefully Lee Trundle, our top scorer, could be back involved next week.

''We need to start capitalising when we have periods of pressure, but it's very encouraging for me that we have dominated for long periods against a team who are top of the league.''

Did Jackett think unfancied Macclesfield, whose victory this weekend was their third in three games, would remain towards the summit of the table throughout the next nine months?

''I don't know about that,'' he said, ''I'm more concerned about Swansea.''

What about his own team, then: would they soon be climbing from 19th place and having a say at the top in the bottom division this year?

''Yes,'' Jackett barked, ''we'll be a force in this league.

''I'm just looking forward to the next game and building on the good things we have shown here. What we must do is start scoring in our dominant spells.''

Goals at any time - Swansea's second at Rochdale last Tuesday actually arrived when their hosts were on top - will do when Cheltenham visit next weekend, for another reverse on home turf following the opening-day defeat by Northampton would hurt Jackett's men.

At Macclesfield, on the strength of the their second-half performance, they deserved a fourth point of the new season. Their efforts in the first period, by contrast, barely merited a cup of tea at the break.

Remarkably, there were a couple of half-chances created by hopeful long balls, Alan Fettis saving smart long-distance efforts from Andy Robinson and Kevin Nugent.

Paul Connor thought he had levelled the scores after slack defending had let the giant Jon Parkin in for Macclesfield's opener, but his effort was ruled out by a controversial offside flag.

''I'll be interested to have a look at that one again,'' said Jackett, who reckoned, surprisingly, that the first period had been an even affair.

''Kevin Nugent said he didn't flick the ball on and that it came off their defender, which means Paul shouldn't have been flagged.

''Parkin is a powerful lad who played a major role in the game at the other end, but it disappointed me that we allowed them two touches in the box when they scored.''

Searching for an equaliser, Swansea took charge after their interval but, for all their pressure and territorial advantage, they failed to conjure an opening.

There were efforts on goal from Kris O'Leary, Paul Connor, Kevin Austin and Leon Britton, but Macc boss Brian Horton was right to point out that his goalkeeper had little to do.

''It was all Swansea in the second half,'' Jackett added, ''but we didn't get the goal and that's disappointing.

''From a goal behind we stood up well and fought back and, having got the ball in wide areas many times, it's frustrating to end up with nothing.''

For all Swansea's huff and puff, it was Horton's men who almost brought the house down at the end when Welsh striker Matthew Tipton's snapshot cannoned off the post.

Had his effort been a couple of inches to the right, though, it would have been Swansea's goal difference that would have been affected, not the result.

And right now it is not goals conceded that are Jackett's greatest concern, it is the win column which he is keen to change.

Roberto Martinez has vowed to fight for his Swansea City place rather than take the ''coward's way out'' by quitting Vetch Field. Swansea's club skipper has broken his silence after being axed from the first team by boss Kenny Jackett.

And Martinez, who would have been allowed to leave the Vetch, has pledged to see out the remaining 10 months on his Swansea contract.

''The easiest thing for me to do in this situation would be to look for a change and leave the club,'' the 31-year-old said, ''but to give up and go somewhere else would be a coward's decision.

''I have never been a coward and that's not going to change now because I would be letting myself down, the club down and a lot of fans who have been so good to me down.

''I have become too attached to this club and I love it too much to go. Coming to Swansea from a First Division club took a lot of thought, but I have loved it. I have had some great feelings in the last two seasons - the football club has turned around - and I am not going to give that up that easily.''

Former Real Zaragoza youngster Martinez sat in the stands for the second straight game on Saturday as Swansea slipped to defeat No. 2 in three League Two matches at Macclesfield.

Jackett has hinted that the classy Spaniard does not fit in with his pace and power game, but the player is convinced he can adapt.

''I have played in Spain, in Scotland and throughout the English league and have shown that I can adapt to different styles of football,'' he added. ''And to show that I will continue to work hard in training as I have done since the day I arrived. I've been a professional since I was 16 and I know exactly what is expected.

''My home is many miles from here and I am here for the football and the feeling within the club. I'm desperate to get back into the first-team and that's what I'll work to do.''

Martinez refused to reveal what had been said in two separate meetings with the manager last week, insisting he did not want to rock the boat for his team-mates.

''Maybe I'll talk about that at the end of the season, but for now I will concentrate on helping the boys and the gaffer,'' he said. ''That's what is healthy for everyone.''

As Martinez contemplates playing for the reserves against Bristol Rovers on Wednesday, Jackett welcomed his decision to stay without getting carried away.

He said: ''Would I let him go if a club came in? Good question. I'd have to cross that bridge when I came to it.

''Roberto is a very good professional with a good attitude and I'm pleased he's going to knuckle down and fight for his place.

''He has a future at Swansea.''

AXED skipper Roberto Martinez has pledged to battle for his future at Swansea City, insisting it would be a "coward's decision" to quit the club.

Martinez sat through Swansea's 1-0 loss at Macclesfield in the stand after boss Kenny Jackett overlooked him for the second time in the space of five days.

After the defeat, Martinez broke his silence on the story that has rocked the Vetch - but the Spanish midfielder vowed to stay true to the club and win back his first-team place.

"The situation I'm in now the easiest thing would be to look for a change and leave the club," said Martinez, who remains Swans' club captain.

"But I'm determined that I'm not going to do that. I've got too attached to the football club and love it too much.

"I made the decision to come to Swansea a few seasons ago when I dropped down from the First Division, It was a bold decision and I'm not going to give it up that easy.

"Leaving has never crossed my mind. I think it's the coward's decision to give up and go somewhere else.

"I love the club too much to look at that option. I've got great feelings for the club after what has happened over the last two seasons.

"If I went I would let myself down, let the football club down and let down the supporters who have expressed their support to me this week.

"And I have never had that coward's attitude in my life."

Martinez had showdown talks with Jackett on Thursday after the former Real Zaragoza player - who played a key role in maintaining Swansea's League status two seasons ago after joining from Walsall - was left out of Tuesday's 16-man squad at Rochdale.

The two men agreed to put a brave public face on the situation, expressing their support for each other, but Jackett is unlikely to stand in the way should someone make a reasonable offer for Martinez.

The Spaniard is among the highest-paid players at the club - around £2,000 a week - and the board will be keen to get him off the wage bill if he cannot break back into Jackett's squad soon.

But Martinez - whose contract runs until the end of the season - said, "I'm prepared to work as hard as I can to play.

"I've never been scared of any competition. I've been in different leagues - in Spain, Scotland and England - and I can adapt to different styles of football.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge but, at this time, I just need to concentrate on my football.

"Saying anything else could be disturbing for the other players. I am not going to do that as we've started the season already.

"If it was pre-season or a neutral time for the football club then you can speak about the situation.

"But I'm not going to speak about it or what my version is until the season is over. I just want to concentrate and give my best to help the boys and the gaffer get the success Swansea City deserves.

"Working hard is recipe for success in football. I've been very fortunate in my career. I'm professional since I was 16 and I know what I have to do.

"Football is a very changeable thing and I've been in the game long enough to know what can happen. I must be ready to be as fit and prepared as I can if the gaffer wants to use me."

Jackett said he had been delighted by Martinez's response to being dropped and left the door open to a first-team return.

"Roberto is a very good professional and he's going to try and turn things around," he said.

"He will battle on and try and earn his place back. I'm pleased with that. It shows a very good attitude, but it is no less than I expected.

"As a manager, that is what you want. All I can say is that his training and attitude has been first-class."

Asked what Martinez has to do to regain his place, Jackett replied, "He has to work hard and apply himself in training.

"Things open up through loss of form and injuries and the whole thing revolves again.

"Nothing is set in stone and obviously you need more than 11 players at a football club. He may have to be patient but, if we get injuries on Monday morning, then he's straight back in."

HOW Swansea City boss Kenny Jackett must appreciate the timing.

Striding out on the training pitch today is the one man capable of removing dropped club captain Roberto Martinez from the headlines - Lee Trundle.

Swansea's own galactico will play a part on the practice ground today and in a reserve game on Wednesday as the natural-born showman plots his way back from injury.

And, on the evidence of the first week of the season, Trundle's return is right on cue for goal-shy Swansea. Two goals from three matches is not the stuff of promotion dreams, no matter how much Jackett accentuates the positive.

"It was quite a dominant performance away from home to get nothing," bemoaned Jackett after a second defeat in three games.

"We had a lot of pressure in the second half and got the ball into wide areas. But you need to score in those spells of total dominance.

"Trundle is our top scorer and we will feel that if we get the ball in the box with that regularity then he will score."

With Izzy Iriekpen also ready to resume training, Jackett will have virtually a full squad to choose from, although Martinez must clearly be patient for his return despite displaying the diplomatic skills of a United Nations ambassador.

Determined not to rock the Vetch boat, Martinez has vowed to stay and fight for his place. But it was still a sobering sight to see the polished Spanish midfielder banished to the stand while the club's coach driver, no less, joined Jackett and the Swansea substitutes in the visitors' dug-out.

At least, though, he might have recognised the cul-de-sacs Swansea mostly charged up as they sought to cancel out Jon Parkin's 18th-minute goal.

There was no shortage of endeavour from Jackett's men, particularly in the second period, but Macclesfield goalkeeper Alan Fettis was untroubled from close range until Kris O'Leary forced him into a fine save at his near post with six minutes remaining.

"I'm frustrated at not scoring a goal," said Jackett. "But I still feel there's a lot there and there's goals in the side. We've got a number of players who can score goals, definitely."

Three wins, six goals and nine points have put Macclesfield top of the embryonic League Two. But, in truth, these Silkmen are not as smooth as they appear on the surface, and it would be a surprise if they last the long promotion course.

And, despite their unconvincing start, Jackett insists Swansea will be a better bet for success in the long term than Macclesfield.

"It's difficult to say whether they will be a force in the division because I'm only concerned with Swansea City," he said.

"But I think we will be a force. We've still got some way to go but I can see that I've not got a bad team."

Maybe. But there are still plenty of issues to resolve. Like how to get the best out of widemen Andy Robinson, who drifted in and out of the action at Moss Rose, and the much-vaunted Adrian Forbes, who barely got a kick before replaced after an hour by Brad Maylett.

The substitute did his cause no harm with an energetic cameo, but strikers Paul Connor and Kevin Nugent are too similar and it is difficult to see how such a partnership can flourish without pace and trickery.

Connor had a couple of glimpses at goal - Jackett admitting that he would study the video if he was incorrectly flagged for offside before tapping home - but it was mostly huff and a lot of puff for a Swansea side hot on possession but cold in the art of finishing.

O'Leary impressed for the third time in a week in his new central midfield role, providing more food for thought for the watching Martinez, as Macclesfield were content to drop deep and protect their lead.

It had been given to them by the muscular Parkin, whose size suggests he would be better suited to an Olympic throwing event rather than plying his trade in lower league football.

Overlapping wing-back Mark Bailey slipped Robinson on the right and his cross evaded a throng of bodies before Parkin steadied himself and then shot past a helpless Willie Gueret for his fourth goal of the season.

"He had two touches in our box and that was something which I picked up on at half-time," said Jackett.

"Parkin played a major role, particularly in the first half, but it was all Swansea after that."

But Swansea, again guilty of playing from back-to-front too much and neglecting the passing skills of Leon Britton, could not find an equaliser and frustration mounted in tandem with the list of yellow cards.

Five Swansea players were booked, three of them - Alan Tate, Connor and O'Leary - for dissent as they failed to heed the obvious, namely that referee Darren Drysdale took a dim view of back chat and kicking the ball away.

"I've told my players that disappoints me," added Jackett. "As much as we can talk about the referee's performance - and a lot of my players were frustrated by him - there's no place for dissent."

No place, too, for Martinez, but at least Trundle and silver linings are coming into view.