These are your Swansea City headlines on Tuesday, September 13.
Thomas signs new deal
Exciting Swansea prospect Josh Thomas has signed a contract extension with the club.
The 19-year-old has penned an 18-month contract extension that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2024, with the option to extend for another year.
It’s just reward for the youngster, who has returned from a serious injury to be included in the first-team matchday squads for recent games against Oxford United, Luton Town and Middlesbrough. He wrote on Instagram: “Absolutely delighted to have signed a new deal @swansofficial, can’t wait to see what the future holds with this club.”
He has scored four goals in five outings for the under-21s this season.
READ MORE : Don't Take Me Home: Get the latest Wales football team news sent straight to you
Swans release statement
Swansea have released a statement detailing their plans to pay tribute to the Queen.
The EFL revealed yesterday that recommendations were in place to mark the occasion, and Swansea have now updated supporters on what will happen at the Swansea.com Stadium just before kick-off tonight.
A minute's silence and black armbands will be worn by all players.
"Swansea City can confirm the club will join all home teams in the EFL by paying tribute to the memory of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II prior to tonight’s fixture against Sheffield United," the statement read.
"The late head of state passed away last Thursday at the age of 96, after serving the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth with unwavering dedication and distinction during her 70-year reign.
"As the only EFL club hosting a fixture within Wales this evening we find ourselves in a unique position, and we feel it is appropriate during a time of national mourning to join the rest of the league in paying our respects.
"There will be a minute’s silence prior to kick-off this evening, while players from both sides will also wear black armbands.
"We would ask supporters in attendance – at a time when the eyes of the wider world are on football as it pays tribute to Her late Majesty – to respectfully observe the minute’s silence.
"As a club our thoughts remain with the Royal Family at this difficult time."
Sheffield United without 10 players
Tonight’s visitors Sheffield United are set to be without 10 players for the trip south to Swansea.
Manager Paul Heckingbottom is facing something of a selection crisis, with injuries now in the double figures.
He will, though, be able to call on Billy Sharp, who is expected to make the trip to south Wales after recovering from an ankle problem.
“No [no change], but it means someone like Bill has a couple more training sessions, which is good,” Heckingbottom explained.
“Anel is over his illness, so that has probably done us a bit of a favour, because he was ill all last week but he would have played Saturday, so that’s a good thing. A couple more days’ rest for George’s back.”
Ex-Swans Oli McBurnie and Rhian Brewster are in the Blades’ squad, while Swans former long-term target James McAtee is also expected to feature.
Players injured: Adam Davies, Enda Stevens, Ciaran Clark, Jack Robinson, Max Lowe, Jayden Bogle, Jack O’Connell, John Fleck, Ismaila Coulibaly, Ben Osborn.
Latibeaudiere to face Messi and Co
Joel Latibeaudiere has been called up by Jamaica for their upcoming international against Argentina.
The Swansea defender, currently recovering from a serious shoulder injury, joins the likes of Bobby Decordova-Reid, Ravel Morrison, Michail Antonio and former Swan Jamal Lowe in the Reggae Boyz squad.
They are set to face Lionel Messi’s Argentina at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, on Tuesday, September 27. If he plays, it will be the former Manchester City man’s second cap.
Swansea head coach Russell Martin revealed on Monday that Latibeaudiere’s recuperation had gone better than expected.
“Joel was given two options, one option to be conservative, have an operation and take time, the other was to let it heal naturally which means a lot less time out,” he said.
“There’s no surprise Joel has chosen to go that way. He really backs himself and trusts his own body and the specialist he went to see.
“It could have been a long time but Lats is not similar to most players. He’s got an incredible mentality and he’s desperate to be on the pitch. Even since he’s been off he’s been a huge part of the group. He was in the dressing room at Stoke.”
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