Your Swansea City headlines for Thursday, September 15.
Obafemi situation 'not ideal'
Michael Obafemi has been called up to Republic of Ireland's squad for their two Nations League matches this month.
The striker has been omitted from the last two Swansea matchday squads following transfer interest from Burnley late on in the summer window. The Clarets had multiple bids for the forward rejected by the Swans, and Russell Martin has since stated that the 22-year-old needs to rediscover his performance levels from the latter stages of last season if he is to return to his plans.
READ MORE: Ben Cabango's Swansea City resurgence and the £1.4m statement signing being kept out
However, after starring for his country against Scotland in June, Obafemi has been named in Stephen Kenny's squad for Ireland's upcoming fixtures with Scotland and Armenia. And boss Kenny admits Obafemi's situation at club level is "not ideal".
“There’s three sides to every story,” the head coach told the Irish media. “It’s not ideal, we want our player playing coming in and in form.
“I saw him against Blackpool when he ran 60 yards and unselfishly laid the ball off for a teammate to score.”
There is no place in the squad for Obafemi's Swansea team-mate Ryan Manning.
Ex-academy coach lands Wales role
Matty Jones has been appointed as manager of Wales' Under-21s.
Paul Bodin left the role earlier this year and has been replaced by former Leeds United and Leicester City midfielder Jones - who was previously a coach in Swansea's academy.
Jones - who won 13 caps for his country - said: "I'm really grateful to everyone at the FAW for this opportunity and to all those who have supported me along this journey. It's hard to contain the emotion that comes with this appointment because it's not just a job but a sense of pride, passion and love.
“Representing your country, regardless of what level, is something that you should always pride yourself on and that's something I've always done. I had to overcome a lot of adversity during my playing career, so getting the chance to work with young players now and knowing what type of journey they are on will allow me to support, advise and guide them. There’s no better feeling and I'm really excited to work with them.”
On Thursday morning, Jones announced his 27-man squad for Wales' upcoming friendly clash with Austria on September 27. Swansea trio Evan Watts, Fin Stevens and Josh Thomas are among those included.
SIGN-UP: Get the latest Swansea City news straight to your inbox every day
Striker opens up on car crash trauma
Josh Thomas admits his absence from football due to injuries he sustained in a car crash made him hungrier to succeed in the game.
The striker recently signed fresh terms with his boyhood club and was included in a senior matchday squad for the first time in the 2-0 loss to Luton Town. It comes after an immensely difficult period for the 19-year-old who spent almost 18 months on the sidelines.
And Thomas has opened up on his struggles that saw him out of action for a significant spell. “Having football taken away from me for so long made me realise just how much I wanted it. I have realised just how desperate I am to succeed and do everything I can,” he told the Swansea website.
“I know the other side of how things can be, I’ve spent the best part of two years having to watch the boys train and play and no be able to do that myself. It was towards the end of the 2020-21 season and I was involved in an unfortunate car crash with my girlfriend and from then until the start of this season I have not been able to play.
“I went through a phase when I wondered if I would be able to come back the same, would I be able to run in the same way. I’ve had a difficult time, it’s not nice seeing the players going out to train every day or hearing their boots on the floor as they go out and you are sat in the treatment room.
“It was a hard time, but the club were so supportive of me, and two big mentions go to Beth (Chaddock) and Jordan (Beech) the physios who worked so hard to help me get back. I will always be so grateful for them and I want to make the most of my opportunity.”
SIGN-UP: Don't Take Me Home: Get the latest Wales football team news sent straight to you
Wood targeting 'full package'
Nathan Wood admits Swansea need to put the "full package" together as they bid to turn impressive performances into points.
The Swans have dropped five Championship points from winning or drawing positions already this term having conceded four goals in injury-time. They also surrendered a two-goal advantage in the Carabao Cup against Oxford United before being beaten by Karl Robinson's side on penalties.
But Wood believes the Swans' Sheffield United disappointment proved they are closer to turning a corner given the way they played for the majority of the clash with the Blades.
"We know we can go toe to toe with the best in the league. That is not a surprise to us, it’s not a surprise to any of the lads in that dressing room," he told the club website.
“But, and I know we are saying it too many times at the moment, it’s those fine margins and those moments that are really costing us. It needs to come together, we need to start producing that full package which allows us to get more from the performances we are putting in.
“We have a lot of the pieces in place, but it is so frustrating to be stood here talking about the same things again. That was not a game where we were hanging on, we were out there thinking we should win it.”
READ NEXT:
- Ben Cabango's Swansea City resurgence and the £1.4m statement signing being kept out
-
Midfielder demands better from seniors, striker has a shocker and Martin out of Brighton frame
-
Swansea City's seven new signings rated as duo impressing but talent not yet up and running
-
Get the latest Swansea City news straight to your inbox every day
-
Don't Take Me Home: Get the latest Wales football team news sent straight to you
