Flynn Downes was the big-name absentee as Swansea City faced Colchester United in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Tuesday afternoon.
The fixture - which took place at the club's Fairwood training complex - was played across four 30-minute quarters. An experimental side featuring a blend of youth and fringe players went 1-0 down as midfielder Luke Hannant put the visitors in front.
Joel Cotterill and Nathanael Ogbeta replaced Olivier Ntcham and Ryan Manning during the second quarter, although the Swans were pegged back again as ex-Swan Frank Nouble netted to ensure Martin's men lost the opening game 2-0.
The hosts completely changed their starting XI ahead of the third quarter, and it represented a team that is far more aligned to what the Jack Army can expect to see in the upcoming campaign, with stars including Joel Piroe, Jamie Paterson, Matt Grimes and Michael Obafemi drafted in while summer signings Harry Darling, Matty Sorinola and Nathan Wood also featured.
Despite the strength of those on the pitch, League Two outfit Colchester remained resolute as the third 30-minute segment ended goalless, with Ben Lloyd - fresh from signing his first professional contract with the club - replacing Obafemi half way through the final quarter. And just as the second contest looked set to end goalless, Joel Latibeaudiere headed home Kyle Naughton's cross to earn the Swans a 1-0 win in match two following a largely dominant showing.
Downes did not feature for the hosts amid the uncertainty surrounding his future. Crystal Palace are among a clutch of clubs to enquire about the availability of the central midfielder, with Wolves and Southampton also understood to have asked about his services.
However, it's expected that Patrick Vieira's men - who showed a strong interest in Downes prior to the 23-year-old's switch from Ipswich Town to Swansea last summer - will strike a deal to take the Englishman to Selhurst Park before the start of the 2022/23 campaign in a move that could pave the way for free agent Joe Allen to return to Swansea, although Wolves have shown a strong interest.
Swansea value Downes - who has three years left to run on his contract - at around £11m to £12m, although it's expected Palace will only offer in the region of £8m. Downes did feature in Friday's 7-0 win over Haverfordwest County.
Midfielder Liam Walsh was also absent against Colchester United having been withdrawn midway through the first half of the triumph against Haverfordwest four days earlier.
Swansea return to action against Forest Green Rovers on Saturday in another behind-closed-doors contest. They play in front of fans at Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday, July 12, before facing Bristol Rovers four days later.
They sign off their summer schedule at Charlton Athletic on Saturday, July 23 - a week before their Championship opener against Rotherham United at the New York Stadium.
Swansea City v Colchester United (first 60 mins): Benda, Abdulai, B. Cooper, Manning (Ogbeta 45), O. Cooper, Fulton, Joseph, Garrick, Ntcham (Cotterill 45), Whittaker, Cullen.
Score: Swansea City 0-2 Colchester United.
Swansea City v Colchester United (second 60 mins): Fisher; Latibeaudiere, Wood, Darling, Naughton; Congreve, Grimes, Sorinola; Piroe, Paterson, Obafemi (Lloyd 47).
Score: Swansea City 1-0 Colchester United.
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