Swansea City

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All English Football League games across a four-day period in February will begin one minute late to raise awareness for the Every Minute Matters campaign.

The initiative will be in place for 36 matches across the Championship, League One and League Two between 5 and 9 February.

EFL sponsor Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) have been working together since May 2024 to highlight the importance of speed when it comes to performing live-saving CPR.

Later kick-off times will serve as "a stark reminder that every minute matters", the EFL said.

Bristol Rovers defender Tom Lockyer collapsed while playing for Luton Town eight minutes into the Championship play-off final against Coventry in May 2023.

Lockyer then suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch seven months later during a Premier League game at Bournemouth.

"What happened to me can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time," said Lockyer, who is now a BHF ambassador.

"Every year, more than 40,000 people in the UK suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and most of them never make it home.

"I'm here today because of the transformative power of CPR as every minute matters when it comes to saving a life.

"This February, we want everyone to get behind this life-saving initiative, learn the skills and be ready to step in because your actions could give someone else the chance I was given."

Throughout February, the Every Minute Matters campaign will call on fans to learn CPR using the BHF's online RevivR, external tool.

"Each minute without CPR reduces a person's chance of survival, so we're urging fans to learn the skills now, before you ever need them," said Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the BHF.

EFL chief executive officer Trevor Birch added: "The one minute kick-off adjustment is a simple, powerful reminder that swift CPR can be the difference between life and death."

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Ethan Galbraith is to be "assessed" after being substituted in Swansea City's 3-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old left the field in the 66th minute after feeling "uncomfortable" but Swansea boss Vitor Matos said the substitution was just a "precaution".

"He had a knock against Birmingham and on the same spot he started to feel uncomfortable," Matos said.

"We didn't want to risk it, so that's what happened - just a precaution."

Galbraith has been an influential member of Matos' Swansea side and has appeared in every league game this season.

Matos has previously praised Galbraith's versatility having utilised him in both midfield and defence.

Swansea, who climbed to 15th in the Championship courtesy of the Blackburn win, are back in action at high-flying Hull City on Saturday.

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

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Swansea City host Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday (19:45 GMT) with Vitor Matos believing his side are becoming more "dangerous" in attack.

Swansea have scored 28 league goals this season - the sixth lowest tally in the Championship - while their xG is the second lowest in the division according to Opta., external

But the Swans have built momentum under Matos, and head into the Blackburn game having lost only once in five games in all competitions.

Last Saturday's performance in the 1-1 draw against Birmingham offered signs of progress, with Matos describing his team as "sharp" and "aggressive" after they created 19 chances and struck the woodwork three times.

"The most important thing is that we increase our possibilities and probabilities to score," the Swansea head coach said.

"That comes from high press, counter-press, being dominant with the ball, being close to the opposition goal and with balance. I think everyone is taking the right steps.

"We are becoming a dangerous team."

The Swans sit four places and five points above Rovers, who have not won a league match since 20 December and are the third lowest scorers in the second tier.

Swansea's recent record against Blackburn also makes for encouraging reading, with the Welsh side winning four of the past five meetings.

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Valerien Ismael's side arrive on the back of a 3-0 defeat at Ipswich, but Matos is refusing to read too much into form.

"This season every team can beat everyone," he said.

"All games are big. It's important everyone is focused, concentrated and with the right mentality and mindset so so we can keep improving."

Marko Stamenic could come into contention to start against Blackburn having been an unused substitute against Birmingham.

The New Zealand international was omitted having missed training last week through illness.

Leading scorer Zan Vipotnik is again likely to start in attack having netted for the 13th time this season against Birmingham.

"We are happy with Vipotnik and the performances he's putting in," Matos said.

"There's still a lot to come from him. The intensity is getting there, and we're happy we can help him develop."

Blackburn Rovers will look to get out of striking distance of the bottom three as they visit Swansea City on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).

Rovers have not won in five straight league games (D3 L2) to see themselves just one point above the relegation zone.

But Swansea are only six points clear and will want to increase that distance with a victory on home soil.

• This will be the 50th league meeting between Swansea and Blackburn Rovers, with the Swans looking to win three in a row against Rovers for the very first time.

• Blackburn have only won one of their last eight league visits to Swansea (D1 L6), losing their last two since a 3-0 win in August 2022.

• Swansea have won four of their last seven league games played on a Tuesday (D1 L2), as many as their previous 29 beforehand (W4 D10 L15).

• Blackburn have won four of their last seven midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) away league games (D1 L2), as many as their previous 27 beforehand (W4 D2 L21).

• Blackburn's Valerien Ismael has won just one of his six previous Championship meetings with Swansea City (D1 L4), a 1-0 away victory with Watford in October 2023.

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Chris Davies reckons Vitor Matos' Swansea City are playing with the style which has brought the club past successes.

Davies' Birmingham City side frustrated Swansea on Saturday as they fought back to claim a point in south Wales.

Davies was back on familiar territory having been part of Brendan Rodgers' staff when the Northern Irishman led Swansea to the Premier League in 2011.

The Blues boss, who came close to returning to Swansea as head coach in 2023, has praised his former club's approach in the wake of this weekend's 1-1 draw.

"You can see with Swansea, to me, they look like a Swansea team with the way they're playing," ex-Wales youth international Davies said.

"It's a club, one of the very few clubs, that can actually confidently say they have an identity that has stood the test of time.

"Swansea is one of the very few and you do see that with the way they're playing."

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Patrick Roberts' equaliser at the Swansea.com Stadium means Birmingham have taken four points from the Swans this season after their 1-0 home win in September.

Alan Sheehan was Swansea head coach at the time, with Davies suggesting the biggest difference since Matos' arrival is the Welsh side's pressing game.

"I actually thought Alan Sheehan was doing a good job," Davies added.

"I thought they were good against us [earlier in the season]. We narrowly won the match - obviously they had a couple of chances.

"So I thought there was a lot of the same stuff there. Obviously, you can see the press and the counter press has really picked up, that's probably one of the things I've noticed."

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Vitor Matos has spelled out his admiration for Goncalo Franco after the midfielder's stand-out performance in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Birmingham City.

Franco delivered one of his best displays this season on a day when Swansea City were left frustrated by the failure to take all three points.

The 25-year-old's classy intervention created a goal for Zan Vipotnik and he came close to netting himself when a sweet left-foot shot was turned on to the bar by Birmingham keeper James Beadle.

Franco was Swansea's player of the year in 2024-25, his first season with the Welsh club, but he has not performed with the same levels of consistency in his second Championship campaign.

When asked about Franco's overall contribution, Matos insisted he is a big fan of his fellow Portuguese.

"I can only speak about the time I arrived - I like him so much," said the Swansea head coach.

"I don't know how to say it properly, but he has energy on the pitch. He reflects that everywhere.

"He's improving as well. He's understanding the position that I want for him more. I think he's getting the right timings and he offers so much.

"I think the goal is a good example of what he can offer, so I'm really happy for him."

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Vipotnik's goal was his 13th of the season, with his tally of 11 league strikes making him the joint leading scorer in the Championship.

Matos said the Slovenia international should share the credit for his latest strike with Franco.

"It was a really good team effort, especially from Franco reacting, counter-pressing, winning that ball," he added.

"From there we used it to score. I'm really happy how the goal came out of that. I just said inside [the dressing room], I think Vipi (Vipotnik) can share the bonus with Franco for the goal."

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Vitor Matos reckons Swansea City gave further evidence that they are a team heading in the "right direction" despite being held to a draw by Birmingham City.

Swansea were left ruing the failure to register a fifth successive home league win as they hit the woodwork no fewer than three times against the Blues.

Matos' side went in front midway through the first half through Zan Vipotnik's 13th goal of the season and almost doubled their lead before the break when Goncalo Franco's shot was tipped on to the bar.

Ronald then struck the woodwork early in the second period before Patrick Roberts levelled for Birmingham, with Liam Cullen then heading against the bar as Swansea pushed for a winner.

Despite a feeling that his side had dropped two points, Matos insisted the Swans "are improving and doing the right steps".

"It's good to see that we are creating more chances and from the chances we are creating, we are becoming a dangerous team, an aggressive team," said the Swansea head coach.

"Then it's about efficiency - football is about that, of course.

"But at this moment, we got a point, we grab that point, we grab the performance and we move on. I think we are [going] in the right direction."

Swansea, who are without striker Adam Idah due to a long-term hamstring injury, are hoping to add to their forward options by signing a winger during the January transfer window.

But when asked whether there is a need for new recruits in attack, Matos said: "I'm really happy with the squad and with the boys we have.

"I think the character they are putting in, the tenacity, the resilience and the way they are buying into an idea together with the fans and with all the staff, I think that's something that leaves me really proud and that's what I need to focus on."

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Vitor Matos is preparing to face a "really well managed" Birmingham City side as he takes on a man who turned down a return to Swansea City in December 2023.

Chris Davies (pictured) will be on familiar territory when he leads Birmingham at the Swansea.com Stadium today (17:30 GMT).

Former Wales youth international Davies, whose father hails from Llanelli, was on Brendan Rodgers' staff when the Northern Irishman led Swansea to the Premier League 15 years ago.

But he rejected the chance to return to Swansea as manager after the departure of Michael Duff just over two years ago.

While the Swans eventually appointed Luke Williams, Davies opted to remain on the staff at Tottenham before taking over at Birmingham in 2024.

The Blues head to Swansea this weekend in upbeat mood after beating leaders Coventry City in their previous Championship game, though last season's League One champions have won only one away league match since August.

Despite Birmingham's struggles on the road, Matos says Swansea face a stern test as they chase a fifth straight home win.

"[Birmingham are] a very organised team, a really well managed team that has a clear identity," the Swansea head coach said.

"It's a team who likes to press, who likes to be dominant as well with the ball. It's clear how they build, it's clear they have a lot of options in terms of squad which gives them a lot of possibilities.

"So we really expect a good game, a game where we need to be on our toes to compete."

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West Ham United youngster Kaelan Casey has joined League One side Leyton Orient on loan just 24 hours after his spell at Swansea City was ended.

The Hammers cut short Casey's season-long stint in Wales because they wanted the 21-year-old centre-back to play more regular football.

Casey has now dropped from the Championship to the third tier in the hope that he will get more game-time at Orient.

The West Ham academy product made 13 appearances for Swansea, though only three of those were Championship starts.

"My time at Swansea City was a great learning experience but I want to play regular football," Casey told the Orient website.

"I believe that Orient is the best place for me to get that whilst also helping the club to move forwards.

"I spoke to [Swansea's former Orient players] Lawrence Vigouroux and Ethan Galbraith, and they both only had good things to say about the set-up, the staff and the fans. That's another reason I wanted to join and I can't wait to get going."

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Vitor Matos says Swansea City have a vacancy for a wide player to compete for game-time with Ronald, Eom Jisung and Zeidane Inoussa.

Swansea also have Manuel Benson at their disposal as things stand, but Matos has indicated the on-loan Burnley winger is not part of his plans.

Instead the Swans are assessing options in the transfer market, with Crystal Palace's Jesurun Rak-Sakyi among their potential targets.

Asked about his options out wide, Matos said: "We have three players that can play naturally on that position they are all of them at the moment performing, which is good.

"Jisung just scored, Zeidane just scored, Ronny (Ronald) against Millwall had two chances and created chances then he had an assist, so he's as well performing. His work-rate is unbelievable and I really like that.

"Of course we are always trying to find different solutions and different kinds of profiles. [Winger] is a position where we have a space if we want to see it like that."

Benson has previously impressed in the Championship at Burnley, but the Angola international has made little impact in a Swansea shirt.

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Though Benson is training with his squad, Matos says the 28-year-old must go elsewhere to play regular football.

"We need to find a solution regarding the three involved, which is us, Benny (Benson) and Burnley, regarding what's best for everyone," he said.

"I think that's what we still are trying to find. The market is still open. It's clear from our side what we want. It's clear from the player's side as well what he wants in terms of expectations."

Matos last week described Rak-Sakyi, who had a loan spell at Sheffield United last season, as a "really interesting" player.

But Swansea are likely to face stiff competition for the 23-year-old's signature.

"He's still in the market so it's always a possibility, but nothing to add or to change regarding what I said," Matos said before Saturday's Championship fixture with Birmingham City.

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Vitor Matos reckons Filip Lissah will be best served staying in Scotland, for now, as the Swansea City youngster continues to impress for loan club Falkirk.

Lissah has been regarded as one of the players most likely to make the first-team breakthrough at Swansea ever since he joined as a 16-year-old after being released by Chelsea.

The defender made his one senior Swansea appearance to date in January 2024, but saw his progress stall last season thanks to a succession of injury problems.

However, Lissah is back making strides in 2025-26 having joined Falkirk on a season-long loan.

Now 21, Lissah has won praise for his performances with the Scottish Premiership club.

Lissah has so far made 16 Falkirk appearances and, despite Swansea's need for defensive reinforcements this month, Matos says there are no plans to bring the loan to a premature end.

"He needs to keep playing, getting exposure in a good level, performing like he has been," the Swansea head coach said.

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"We are happy [with the Falkirk loan], not only happy with the performance, but also happy with the things off the pitch. I think that's quite important when you speak about young players on a loan.

"So the plan is not to call him back, it's to finish the loan and that will be then a situation for the next season."

Lissah has operated in central defence at Swansea, but he has been deployed successfully at right-back by Falkirk.

He is under contract with the Swans until 2027, with the club having the option of extending the agreement by 12 months.

Matos, who has been in charge at Swansea since November, believes Lissah is a player who could eventually make a mark in his team.

"I've seen so far is a player that is performing really well, who has lot of potential for the future and he's someone that we need to see in pre-season," he said.

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Liam Cullen has handed Swansea City an injury boost with the Wales international back in contention for Saturday's Championship meeting with Birmingham City (17:30 GMT).

Cullen has missed Swansea's past four games with a calf problem picked up at Coventry City on 26 December.

While the 26-year-old has often been deployed in a midfield role this season, he will offer Swansea a welcome option up front in the continued absence of Adam Idah.

With the Republic of Ireland international out for three months due to a hamstring problem, youngster Bobby Wales has been Swansea's only back-up to leading scorer Zan Vipotnik in Cullen's absence.

While Cullen may not be regarded as an out-and-out striker, Swansea boss Vitor Matos says he could be an alternative to Vipotnik "in a different kind of profile".

"He has that flexibility of playing as a player between the lines, or as a nine, if you want, as a false nine," Matos added.

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Vitor Matos says Ollie Cooper has a chance to re-establish himself at Swansea City after his Wigan Athletic loan spell was cut short.

Cooper had been due to stay with the Latics for the whole season but returned to Swansea earlier this month having made only 13 appearances for the League One club.

The Wales midfielder, 26, cannot play for another team this season having featured for Swansea in the EFL Cup tie against Crawley Town in August.

Cooper will hope to play some part when Swansea host Birmingham City on Saturday (17:30 GMT) having been an unused substitute in the Welsh club's two matches since he returned.

"He is a player from the academy, someone that grew into the club, so we are happy that he is back here with us, where he belongs," said Swansea head coach Matos.

"We will see how he finds his space in the squad. There are a lot of players in his position. We are happy with him. He is training well."

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Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, Watford's Javi Gracia, Sergej Jakirovic of Hull City and Swansea head coach Vitor Matos have been nominated for the Championship's manager of the month award for December.

McKenna has moved Ipswich into the top three and within two points of second-placed Middlesbrough after taking 14 points from their seven games last month, which included two wins over leaders Coventry.

Watford reappointed Gracia as head coach in October and an unbeaten run in December has pushed them into the play-off places, with the Hornets currently on a four-game winning run in the league.

Jakirovic has taken Hull City into promotion contention with wins at Middlesbrough and Millwall.

Swansea boss Matos started his reign with successive defeats but four wins from their six games in December has taken the Welsh side eight points clear of the relegation zone.

The winner will be announced on Friday, 16 January.

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Joel Cotterill has joined Dundee on loan from Swansea City for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

The Wales Under-21 international spent the opening half of the current campaign with Bristol Rovers and featured 16 times across all competitions for the League Two club.

The attacking midfielder was recalled by the Swans earlier this month, but will now see out the rest of the season in Scotland.

He will link up with Swansea and Wales youth team-mate Cameron Congreve at the Scottish Premiership club.

Cotterill - who has made one senior appearance for Swansea - is under contract with the Swans until the summer of 2027.

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Swansea City are in talks with Burnley over the future of Manuel Benson, but there is no guarantee that the winger's loan spell with the Championship club will be cut short this month.

Benson has been on the fringes at Swansea after joining in September on a deal for the remainder of the season.

The Swans are interested in bring Benson's loan to an early conclusion during the January transfer window, but that will only happen if all parties agree on the idea.

Benson has made eight appearances for the Swans, including just one league start.

"At the moment we are finding the best solution for all of us in terms of the future," said Swansea head coach Vitor Matos.

"Everything can change in football so quickly. We are talking to find the best solution."

Benson has played only once under Matos, as a second-half substitute when Swansea were beaten at home by Derby in the Portuguese's first game in charge in November.

The Angola international went away to the Africa Cup of Nations in last month and has not featured since for Swansea even though his country's involvement at the tournament ended on 29 December.

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Ben Lloyd will remain part of Newport County's League Two relegation fight after extending his loan spell at Rodney Parade until the end of the season.

Swansea City academy product Lloyd joined the Exiles in July on a deal running until January.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has since made 23 appearances for Newport, scoring once.

"County look forward to Ben's career continuing to flourish in his remaining period at NP19," Newport said.

Wales Under-21 international Lloyd is under contract at Swansea until 2027.