Here's your round-up of all the latest Swansea City news for Friday, January 6.
Leonard stance emerges
Swansea City are not believed to currently be in the race for Brighton and Hove Albion youngster Marc Leonard.
Reports had previously suggested the Swans, along with Preston North End, were keen on the midfielder, who is currently out on loan at Northampton Town.
Those suggestions have been echoed to WalesOnline by sources on the south coast, although it's understood League One now looks to be the most likely destination for the 21-year-old should he find himself on the move.
In any case, while a move hasn't categorically been ruled out, interest from the Swans has been heavily played down by club insiders, who claim his name, for now, hasn't been discussed as part of their January plans.
Chiedozie Ogbene, meanwhile, does remain a player of interest, but Russell Martin insists there isn't anything imminent in terms of arrivals at this stage.
"We are working really hard on things - it's not a lack of trying or work this end," he said.
"We are talking to people and to clubs and to players and the hope is as a coach that we can get things done quickly, but it's never quite as simple as that.
"There is stuff going on, discussions going on. Hopefully all the work will reap some rewards at some point."
Martin reveals Whittaker plan
Russell Martin insists Morgan Whittaker has been brought back to Swansea to challenge for a regular first-team place but admits the club could still listen to any potential offers.
Whittaker was recalled by the Swans this week having enjoyed a hugely successful spell on loan at League One leaders Plymouth Argyle, and there's already been plenty of speculation over what might happen next.
One suggestion is that the former Derby County starlet could yet be sold before the end of the January window, with his stock skyrocketing on the back of his red-hot form for the Pilgrims, where he netted nine goals before returning to south Wales.
But Martin has seemingly suggested that the 21-year-old will be given the opportunity to force his way into his plans for the rest of the season, although he admits the right offer could yet tempt the Swans into a sale.
"If he's going to be back here he needs to try and force his way into the team really," he said. "He's the same as any player at any club in January that operates within our financial remit.
"If offers do come in then we'd have to have to take a look at them, same as the guys we've been speaking about recently.
"He's cup-tied so he won't be involved this weekend. That means he's got a good bit of time to reintroduce himself to the way we train and the way we play, the role he might play in the different shapes we've been playing recently. It gives us all a bit of time to readjust and for him to readapt to living here.
"It's about how he reacts. We'll give him every chance and hopefully he'll give himself every chance to force his way in here."
Whittaker himself voiced his disappointment at the decision to cut short his stint with Argyle, and Martin says he understand the player's frustrations.
"I have empathy with Morgan," he added. "I think we all do, because he was having such a good time there. He's been enjoying it so much and playing really well, scoring loads. Promotion charges are special and this is the first one he's really been involved in, playing every week. So, of course he's going to have some disappointment, but I think he'll soon be over that.
"He's in today and we'll have a really good chat. He's our player ultimately, and he knew that before he went. So there's always a risk. Plymouth are going to be so disappointed and he's going to be disappointed because he felt like such a big part of it, but I think any footballer's career is defined by how much disappointment you get and how you deal with it.
"By the time he's on the training pitch with us I'm pretty sure he'll be fine and he'll realise what's at stake for him. It's up to us to try and replicate and get out of him what he showed at Plymouth."
Plymouth set to continue Whittaker chase
Meanwhile, Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher believes Whittaker would be interested in returning to Home Park, and has refused to rule out a fresh move for the forward.
The Pilgrims are currently top of League One, and Schumacher has indicated that should they be successful in their charge for the Championship, they could potentially put a fresh bid together for the talented 21-year-old attacker.
Schumacher told PlymouthLive: "We tried to sign Morgan in the summer. When I spoke to Russell Martin about him he told me he wasn't part of his plans and I suggested 'Can we buy him?' and he was open to that.
"When we spoke to their guys in charge - they came down here as we played Swansea (in pre-season) - they told me they weren't keen to sell him. They see Morgan playing for them in the Championship in the future so that was off the table.
"Then, he has done so well here, he has got himself back in the spotlight. Everybody has seen how good of a player he is, and now it's over to them to decide what they do with him."
Asked whether he thought there was any chance of Whittaker resuming his loan with Argyle later in January, he added: "I suppose anything is a possibility if, for whatever reason, the plan changes and he becomes available then, obviously, we would be interested.
"Where I was thinking as well, if we end up getting promoted and go into the Championship - and we think Morgan could be a Championship player - then if we could put a bid together and go and try and get him I'm sure he would like to come back here and play again because he loved it, the fans loved him and it seemed a good fit."
Bennett joins Cambridge
Former Swansea City centre-back Ryan Bennett has joined Cambridge United on a free transfer.
The 32-year-old has signed a short-term deal until the end of the season following his departure from Swansea City last year, and becomes the club's first signing of the January window.
“I am really grateful for the opportunity,” Bennett said. “It’s a good club and I’m really looking forward to trying to make my mark here.
“It’s a level I have played at before and I know it’s not easy, so it’s down to me to work hard and to get into the team. Hopefully we can push on this second half of the season and see where it takes us.”
U's boss Mark Bonner added: “We are really pleased to add Ryan to our team and his experience, quality and personality will make him an excellent addition to our team. I am sure that with a week or two's training, he will be game ready to make a really positive impact on us.
“Ryan has spent his career above our level and played a good number of League One games too.
“That experience will serve us well and Ryan’s hunger to contribute to the team, help us fulfil our objectives and get back to playing regularly is really encouraging.
“We are delighted he has chosen to join us. I look forward to working with him in the months ahead and leaning on him as a personality to drive our standards and performances.”
Walsh closing in on return
Russell Martin has confirmed that midfielder Liam Walsh is closing in on a return to full training.
The 25-year-old is the only injury absentee ahead of Sunday's FA Cup third round clash with Bristol City at Ashton Gate, but Martin is hopeful of being able to call on him again soon.
"Walshy’s very close to being on the training pitch,” he said.
"He’s training every day, doing his rehab and he’s looking really good which is great for us.
"We’re really excited to have him back. We’ll have to be patient because of how long he’s been out but we’re hoping we can get him back with the group next week, which will be a huge step for him."
Martin also confirmed Jay Fulton and Joe Allen are fit for the trip to the Robins, despite being withdrawn midway through the second half of the defeat to Burnley on Monday.
"We had to take Joe and Jay off. Three games in six days was a big ask and, even though they weren’t involved in every minute, they both felt a bit tight,” he added.
"For Joe, especially considering the energy he gave in the first half, it's not a surprise that he felt tight. He hasn’t had 90 minutes yet, so we’re just building him up to get to that point."
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