SAND AND DELIVER
Swans celebrate survival with a knees-up in Ibiza
SUN, sea and booze was the reward for Swansea’s players after they avoided relegation. The Welsh side spent three days in Ibiza this week as they toasted Premier League survival. Paul Clement’s men sealed their place in the top flight for a seventh straight season when their 2-0 win at Sunderland was followed by Hull’s thrashing at Crystal Palace. And Clement gave them permission to celebrate as they headed to the Spanish island for a getaway before tomorrow’s final game of the season at home to West Brom. Clement insisted his squad was back in training on Wednesday, and every player just about made the 1.30pm deadline. “It was only two nights and it worked,” said the former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid assistant. “It says a lot about the team spirit – you can see they are a close group. “I got a text from someone on behalf of the players to ask if they could go away. I wasn’t tempted to go with them – I couldn’t keep up with those young guys at all! “I just said they had to be back on time and they were coming in the door right on 1.30. They would have tried to come back on Saturday if they could. “I think they had a good time. Almost the whole squad went but they all trained on Wednesday afternoon.” Clement (above) wants his players to continue their party against the Baggies tomorrow. Pressure is off but a win would make it three on the bounce. Midfielder Jack Cork said: “A few of the boys spoke with the manager about the trip and he said it would be OK if we all went away together. “It was nice to spend some time with people you’ve been working hard with for a year, have a few drinks, and enjoy the sun. “It’s not something you really want to celebrate because it’s been a tough year. “We’ve got to work hard next season so we don’t get in this situation again.”