Your Swansea City headlines on Thursday, March 9.
Martin charged by FA
Russell Martin has been charged by the Football Association after being sent off in Swansea City's 1-0 loss to Luton Town.
The Swans head coach, along with Hatters assistant boss Richie Kyle, was dismissed by referee Dean Whitestone after an altercation between coaches and players on the sidelines late on in the Championship contest between the sides at Kenilworth Road on Saturday.
And Martin has until Monday to respond to the FA charge, with the governing body also confirming that Kyle and both clubs have been hit with charges.
READ MORE: Jeers and groans don't help Swansea City players, they need their supporters more than ever
"Luton Town and Swansea City have been charged following their EFL Championship match on Saturday 4 March," a statement read.
"It's alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their benches conducted themselves in an orderly fashion in the 90th minute."
A second statement read: "Swansea City's Russell Martin and Luton Town's Richie Kyle have been charged for alleged improper behaviour at that time too.
"Luton Town, Swansea City, Russell Martin and Richie Kyle all have until Monday 13 March to provide their respective responses."
Discussing the incident after his side's defeat to Rob Edwards' outfit, Martin commented: "Rob jumped on the pitch. I really like Rob, he's an ex-team-mate of mine and then Richie got involved and I just pushed him away really to get him out of the way.
"It ends up with what it ends up in, which is two red cards. I'm not convinced it was necessary really, but it is what it is, really.
"I don't know why Rob was unhappy. I think Walshy [Liam Walsh] and one of their players was having a little off-the-ball scuffle. I actually don't know because the game was near their goal."
Pundit's prediction
David Prutton expects Middlesbrough to continue their impressive run of form by beating Swansea this weekend.
The Swans have not won any of their last four matches while Boro are the division's form team ahead of Saturday's meeting between the sides.
"Swansea are not in a good spot right now," Prutton told Sky Sports. "They have just a point from their last four games and are drifting back in the wrong direction.
"Middlesbrough will hope to take advantage and pile the pressure back on Sheffield United in second with another win.
"That gap is seven points again, but it wouldn’t take long for that to close. They should have enough to win here."
David Prutton's prediction: Swansea City 0-2 Middlesbrough
Midfielder's relief
Liam Walsh admits he's desperate to contribute at Swansea during their run-in following another lengthy lay-off through injury.
The 25-year-old sustained a hamstring injury on the eve of his maiden season at the club and was subsequently sent on loan to Hull City in January.
However, after impressing in pre-season last summer, the former Bristol City star ruptured his Achilles, an injury that kept him out of action until February.
But now fit and available again, Walsh says he will be ready to deliver the goods when called upon by Russell Martin.
"When I sit back and think about all the hard work I have put in over the last six or seven months, all those hours in the gym, you feel it has paid off when you get back out there," he told the club website.
“It was great to be back out on the pitch, just that feeling of being on the bench and being ready to come on gives you such a huge buzz and I’ve really missed that.
“Being out there, playing for three points, it’s what excites me and drives me. I want more of those moments between now and the end of the season. I don’t get nervous, I get excited.
“I want to play football, so the moment the gaffer tells me to get ready then there’s no messing, I’m up and I’ll be ready."
Abdulai's maiden international call-up
Azeem Abdulai has received his maiden call-up to Scotland's Under-21 squad.
The versatile midfielder has been a key figure for Swansea's Under-21s and made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup at Oxford United earlier this season.
And his impressive form at youth level has earned him a place in Scot Gemmill's 23-man squad for the Scots' matches against Sweden and Wales in Spain later this month.
READ NEXT
