Your Swansea City headlines on Thursday, February 9.
Allen gesture revealed as hope outlined
Russell Martin revealed Joe Allen was given a round of applause by his Swansea City team-mates after confirming his retirement from international football this week.
Allen - who played in three major tournaments and won 74 caps for his country - confirmed on Tuesday that his glittering Wales career had come to an end, with the midfielder now putting his full focus on the Swans.
And while injuries have hampered the 32-year-old this season, head coach Martin remains hopeful that Allen can chalk up another century of matches during what is his second spell at Swansea.
"He came to see me about it on Friday, he said he’d been thinking about it long and hard. We had a really good chat," revealed the head coach.
"Congratulations to him on a brilliant international career, the lads gave him a round of applause this week. He’s such a humble man, and a brilliant football player. He’s a brilliant example for players to look at.
"Three major tournaments is incredible. I’m sad for him that it’s come to an end but I also think it’s the right decision moving forward. He felt he couldn’t give his all to both at this stage of his career.
"I think Joe's idea is to play another 100 games, I don't want to speak for him. We’re excited to get him back on the pitch. We know how much he can contribute."
Discussing his Swansea midfield partner Allen, club captain Matt Grimes said: “Words cannot describe what a great guy he is, and we all know he is a fantastic player.
“I obviously hadn’t played with Joe before, but even I felt emotional for him because I know he is such an iconic legend of the game.
“He is just fantastic in every way you expect him to be."
Exit talks shut down
Russell Martin says leaving Swansea has never crossed his mind.
The head coach was crestfallen following his side's 4-3 defeat to Birmingham City last time out after what had been a brutal period for the club following a transfer window in which Swansea failed to sign a single player.
It led to fans speculating as to whether or not the 37-year-old would leave the Swansea.com Stadium hot seat.
However, Martin says his sole focus is now on continuing to build for the future.
“I hope it’s far from the end. It’s never been a thought. Why would it be?" he said.
“Of course everyone’s frustrated about what happened last week, but that’s gone, you can’t affect it. There is no point stewing over it.
“You have a choice of what to focus on and our choice is to focus on building a team and young players, conditioning the team to play in a certain way, physically and mentally. We absolutely love doing it."
Captain's challenge to Whittaker
Matt Grimes revealed he challenged Morgan Whittaker to replicate his Plymouth Argyle form with Swansea over the final months of the season to prove himself in the Championship.
Whittaker was prematurely recalled from his season-long loan spell with the Pilgrims last month after scoring nine times and registering seven assists in League One.
He was the subject of fierce transfer interest from Rangers last month, although the Scottish Premiership outfit failed to meet Swansea's valuation of the player.
The 22-year-old returned to action for the Swans as a late substitute in the 4-3 loss to Birmingham City last Saturday and is now bidding to make an impact under Russell Martin.
"He was fantastic at Plymouth," Grimes said of Whittaker.
"I watched him in a few games, unfortunately one against my beloved Exeter where he scored and got an assist. That was a tough watch!
"He's been fantastic and he's come back eager and hungry to succeed, as all the squad is. It was a really tough time for him, being linked away and not knowing whether he was coming or going.
"I just said to him, if he does what he did for Plymouth here, his name is then being spoken about as a Championship proven player. It's down to him really, he's got all the attributes and the desire, so we'll see what he's got."
Robins date switched
Swansea City's Championship clash with Bristol City in March has been pushed back a day due to a request from police.
The Championship contest at the Swansea.com Stadium was due to be played at 3pm on Saturday, March 18, although South Wales Police and the two clubs have now agreed for the game to get underway at 12:30pm on Sunday, March 19.
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