These are your Swansea City headlines on Thursday, April 21.
Chelsea to allow Ampadu to leave
Chelsea will allow Wales star Ethan Ampadu to leave the club again this summer, TEAMtalk report.
Ampadu is currently on loan with Italian club Venezia, with his route to Chelsea's first team blocked at Stamford Bridge. The Exeter product has already spent two loan stints away from west London, with Sheffield United and RB Leipzig, with Swansea mentioned as suitors in recent days.
His versatility would certainly attract Russell Martin's attention, with the 21-year-old able to play at centre-back, central midfield and wingback. But Swansea are set to face stiff competition, with Bournemouth, Middlesbrough and Huddersfield and Norwich City all keen on a loan deal.
READ MORE: Swansea City 'tracking' Chelsea star
A ball-playing centre-back is likely to be on Martin's shopping list this summer, with Ampadu fitting the bill perfectly.
Downes wants signings
Swans midfielder Flynn Downes says he hopes the club keep hold of their key players this summer and add strength to their squad. The 23-year-old has spoken passionately about his excitement for what Swansea can achieve next season, while also dismissing speculation over his own future at the club.
Leeds United have expressed an interest in his services but it is clear the former Ipswich Town man is focused on building something special with Swansea.
"Definitely (keep top players and add strength). Every team wants to strengthen. Hopefully we can bring a few players in," he said. "I just leave that stuff to the boss. But it is exciting. If we do strengthen, we'll see what happens."
His former coach, Kieron Dyer, had previously stated that he feels Downes will be a £10million player and leave the club this summer. "Someone sent me that," he chuckled, when asked about it. "It's football at the end of the day, isn't it. Anything can happen, but I love it here and I am happy here. Next year, I have high hopes for what we can achieve so I am not thinking about anything else. I have always said playing in the Premier League is dream, I really want to do that."
You can read the full piece here.
'Sleepless nights' since Reading collapse - Gill
Swansea are set to have a fully-fit squad for their match against Middlesbrough this weekend, with coach Matt Gill admitting there have been a few sleepless nights since the 4-4 draw with Reading on Easter Monday.
Russell Martin's side were cruising at 4-1 with half an hour to play in Berkshire, only for the home team to claw back three goals to spoil a great day out for Swansea supporters. Gill said poring over the last 30 minutes was painful but that the response will begin against Boro on Saturday.
“We are pretty much all okay in terms of injury, we have had two games in four days so there are a few knocks and niggles but we are pretty much OK,” said Gill. “We will assess the boys today as they report and then we will train today and tomorrow and prepare for Saturday.
“We have watched the game back from Monday, the first 60-65 minutes was outstanding and that is something we have spoken about, being the team we want to be away from home, and you have seen that in the recent games against Millwall and Cardiff.
“But there is a lot to learn from that final 30 minutes and we’ve felt a lot of pain over last couple of days. But we will learn from it and become better from it. It does not make it easier to take, there have been sleepless nights since, but you do learn when you go through these things.”
'Terrific' Cooper back for Exiles
Ollie Cooper will be back in the Newport County ranks this weekend after a spell out with a groin injury.
The Swansea loanee will be on the bench for Colchester's visit to Rodney Parade. He has nine assists this term and has been a key man for James Rowberry. "Ollie Cooper is available and will be on the bench with his game time very limited," the manager said.
"You always want your best players available and Ollie has been terrific since I have been here. The three lads who I class as number 10s - Finn Azaz, James Waite and Ollie - have been terrific for us."
