Your latest Swansea City headlines on Friday, December 29.
Whittaker's future clearer
Morgan Whittaker's future at Plymouth has become clearer with news boss Steven Schumacher expects all his loan signings to remain at Home Park until the end of the season.
Whittaker has been a hit in Devon and has described as the division's hottest property since signing on loan last summer.
Pilgrims boss Schumacher has Sam Cosgrove, Nigel Lonwijk, Bali Mumba and Whittaker on loan, as well as the injured Finn Azaz. And he expects them to see the campaign out on the south coast.
Schumacher said: "There have been no conversations with them (the parent clubs). With Dean Smith leaving we will see how that one plays out, but all of the loan managers are delighted with how their players' seasons are going.
"They are putting themselves in the shop window, they are gaining valuable experience and they are enjoying their football, which previously on their other loans they didn't as much as this.
"We have ticked our box what we were supposed to do. The agreement was to be until the end of the season and I'm sure they want their players to continue enjoying what they are doing.
"All we have had is assurances of 'We are happy with how it's going and we want that to continue'. They haven't told us any different."
Ntcham latest
Olivier Ntcham missed Swansea's 2-1 defeat at Reading due to illness.
Speaking after the loss to the Royals, Russell Martin admitted a number of players had been unwell in the build-up to the trip to Berkshire, although he hopes to have Cameroon international Ntcham back in his squad for the clash with Watford.
"He's ill. We've had illness spread throughout the squad," he said on Tuesday night. "He's unfortunately not got well enough soon enough to be involved.
"He'll be back with us hopefully for the Watford game, fingers crossed. Hopefully everyone else stays healthy and well, obviously it's a quick turnaround."
Cullen impact praised
Matt Grimes lauded Liam Cullen's attitude following his impact off the bench for Swansea since the World Cup break.
Cullen is yet to start in the Championship for Swansea this season but has netted in each of his last two league appearances for the club.
And Grimes is hopeful that Cullen can continue to add to his goal tally this term.
“Liam deserves it. He has been brilliant with his attitude," the club captain told the Swans' official website.
“He’s had to wait for his opportunity and he’s taken his chance when it came.
“He’s been working really hard in training every day so it’s good to see him on the scoresheet. Hopefully there will be many more goals for him.”
Pundit's prediction
David Prutton expects Swansea to end their run of eight matches without a win against Watford on Friday night.
The Swans have not emerged victorious since defeating rivals Cardiff City in late October, although the Hornets come into the match in south Wales on the back of a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Millwall.
"Swansea's run of five wins in six games in October seems a world away now, given they are eight without a win now," Prutton told Sky Sports. "Last time out, against Reading, they dominated the ball and generated an xG figure of 2.75, yet lost 2-1.
"Meanwhile, Watford have not delivered particularly convincing performances since the Championship restarted and were well beaten by Millwall on Boxing Day. I think they could well fall to a second straight defeat in South Wales."
David Prutton's prediction: Swansea City 2-1 Watford
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