Your Swansea City headlines on Thursday, March 30.
Martin's Wood expectation
Russell Martin says Nathan Wood has become a huge asset for Swansea City as a result of his development since joining from Middlesbrough.
The defender has been a regular in the first team under the current coaching staff and made his England Under-21s debut against Croatia during the international break.
And despite being just 20 years of age, Martin says Wood has already become a real leader in Swansea's squad.
“I am really proud of him. He deserves it – he’s been amazing," said Martin. "A young man who has just grown and grown on the pitch and off the pitch as well.
“He is becoming a real leader in the group, he’s one of the louder ones we have on the pitch and in the dressing room. He is just a brilliant young man who we have hopefully helped be able to express himself on the pitch and off it.
“He’s an incredible learner and he’s incredibly brave with the way that he plays. He will play at the very top, no doubt about it.
“He is a huge asset to the football club, on the pitch and off the pitch. He will be a huge asset financially at some point. I just hope we get a bit longer to work with him than one season, like Flynn [Downes], but we will have to wait and see."
When asked if he fears Wood will have admirers in the summer transfer window, Martin responded: “I do yeah. I look at him and he is 6ft 3in, he is built like a heavyweight boxer and he can run very fast.
"He displays unbelievable courage and technique on the ball, and just the amount of growth he has had this season – I do fear that.
“I don’t think it’s a bad fear to have. It’s one of the reasons we were brought here to the club, to develop young players.
“But I would like to be able to keep a few together long enough for us to enjoy some success. I know he is doing incredible stuff for us and if he continues doing that until the end of the season, I am sure there will be a lot of admirers.”
Coach leaves to join Wales
Jon Grey will leave his role in Swansea's academy to take up a role with the Football Association of Wales.
The senior professional development phase coach has held a number of roles at the club over the years having also pulled on the famous white jersey during his playing career.
But he is now set to join Wales Women as national team assistant coach which will bring and end to his long association with the Swans.
“It was a dream come true to get a job here, and I always wanted to be involved with football. I had a short playing career but then to go into coaching and get a job at boyhood club was a dream come true," he told the club website.
“I’ve been here such a long time; it’ll be strange to do something else."
Discussing the arrival of Grey, boss Gemma Grainger said: "I wanted a Welsh coach with a Pro Licence, and Jon was great in the environment when he was with us last month.
"It’s the first time we have a full-time assistant coach just for the senior team, Jon’s a great fit for the role and I can’t wait to work with him in the upcoming matches."
Wales host Northern Ireland in a friendly at Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday. Kick-off is at 7:15pm. They then take on Portugal in Guimaraes on Tuesday, April 11.
Cardiff team news for Swans clash
Cardiff City will be without top scorer Callum Robinson for this weekend's derby clash with Swansea City.
The Irishman has been out of action for more than a month owing to a hamstring issue and will not be risked when the Swans visit the Welsh capital on Saturday afternoon.
However, Sabri Lamouchi expects Robinson's compatriot Callum O'Dowda to be available for the second derby of the campaign after he withdrew from the Republic of Ireland squad last week due to a groin concern.
Romaine Sawyers and Mahlon Romeo are expected to be available to face the Swans.
Cabango relishing derby tussle
Ben Cabango admits he's relishing the opportunity to return from international duty by facing Swansea City's fierce rivals Cardiff City in the derby.
The Swans have endured a tough 2023 so far but head to the capital on the back of a well deserved 2-0 triumph over Bristol City last time out.
And Cabango believes the clean sheet against the Robins gave the squad a massive lift heading into this weekend's clash with the Bluebirds.
“It’s always a massive game for us as players and fans. We’ll give it our all, look to perform to the best of our abilities and hopefully we get the three points," he told the club website.
“Performances like the one against Bristol City with the victory and the clean sheet gives us so much confidence and it is important we build on that.
“Everyone will have been working hard over the break and we will be looking to be ready for the Cardiff game.”
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