Here's your round-up of all the latest Swansea City headlines for Wednesday, March 23.
Sunderland keen to tie down Stewart
Sunderland are reportedly poised to offer former Swansea target Ross Stewart a new deal amid growing interest in his signature.
The 25-year-old, who was recently called up by Scotland boss Steve Clarke for the first time, has been in red hot form for the Black Cats this season, netting an impressive 22 goals in League One. According to the Daily Record, his exploits at the Stadium of Light have attracted a number of potential admirers ahead of the summer window, with the striker's current deal set to expire at the end of next season.
READ MORE: The transfer status of every player at Swansea City as big summer shake-up expected
While they are pushing for the play-offs, there has already been an indication that the club will be keen on offering Stewart a new deal when he returns from the international break. Swansea boss Russell Martin is understood to be a keen admirer of the former Ross County man, and expressed an interest back in the January window, although the finances of the deal proved prohibitive.
Where interest from the Swans now stands remains to be seen, but Sunderland are clearly ready to pull out all the stops to keep Stewart on Wearside as they plot a route back to the Championship.
Hourihane set for free transfer this summer
Former Swans loanee Conor Hourihane admits his Aston Villa career is likely to be over, adding that he's preparing to become a free agent this summer.
Hourihane is currently on loan at Sheffield United, and is out of contract at the end of the current campaign. His first team opportunities have proved limited at Villa Park, with the Irishman spending last season on loan with the Swans under Steve Cooper, where he scored five goals and earned two assists in 22 Championship appearances.
It seems unlikely that the forward will be given another deal under current Villa boss Steve Gerrard, meaning he could soon be available for nothing. Indeed, the player himself has suggested that he hasn't yet had a conversation with Gerrard over what might happen next.
Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Hourihane said: “That Villa chapter is probably done. There’s been nothing, to be honest with you. No conversations there so we’ll see what happens in the summer."
Swans coach fined
Swansea's goalkeeping coach Dean Thornton has been handed a two-match ban and fined £3,000 after admitting a charge of 'abusive, insulting and improper' language during the recent defeat to Fulham.
The Swans lost 5-1 to the Cottagers at the Swansea.com Stadium in a game that saw Ryan Manning dismissed just before the break, a decision that was met with dismay by Martin after the game. In a statement, a spokesperson for the FA confirmed: "Swansea City AFC's Dean Thornton has been given a two match ground ban and fined £3,000 for a breach of FA Rule E3 that occurred following the end of their EFL Championship fixture against Fulham FC on Tuesday 8 March 2022.
"The coach admitted that his language and behaviour in or around the changing room area following the end of their fixture was abusive, insulting and improper."
Ntcham's pride in Cameroon call-up
Olivier Ntcham believes the upcoming international break could prove beneficial for the Swans, as they bid to plot a historic South Wales derby double.
The Swans face bitter rivals Cardiff City after the international break, having signed off with a drab 0-0 draw with Birmingham City last time out. Swans boss Martin has previously suggested that the international break could well be beneficial to his side, giving them much-needed time to work on things on the training ground, and Ntcham seems to agree that the break could well be a good time to recharge the batteries.
“It was disappointing (against Birmingham) as I felt we had some chances to score and win the game, especially early on,” he said. “But we did not take them and so we have to take the point.
“I think the break will help us, the last couple of weeks have been very tough, with a lot of travelling and long journeys on the bus. “This can make recovery difficult, so the chance to work on the training pitch and be ready for the final games will be important.”
Ntcham is one of several Swans stars to receive a call-up during this international break, having been drafted into Rigobert Song's squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifier with Algeria. “I am really looking forward to it, because obviously this is something very exciting for me,” he added.
“I hope something good will come out of this for me and help me as a player. I know my family are very proud of this decision I have made to represent Cameroon. I hope I will get a chance and I think my family are hoping to come and watch one of the games.”
