Rodon’s future remains uncertain, admits Cooper

STEVE Cooper admits he does not know whether Joe Rodon has played his last game for Swansea City after the Wales defender was ruled out for the rest of the season.

Rodon, 22, has been linked with moves to both Manchester United and Manchester City.

“While he’s injured nothing will change, but if things develop later in the summer that’s a bridge we’ll have to cross at that time,” said Cooper.

“But I’d be desperate to see Joe back here next season.

“He’s a very good player and equally as good a person. He’s got exactly the attitude and mentality we want on the pitch.

“He’s had a difficult time with injuries. We’re gutted for him because he was so desperate to play and the words he was using to me were that he just wants to help the club.

“He really wants to get on the promotion charge and it really hurts him that he’s watching on TV.

“Further than that, we don’t know is the honest answer.

“Our initial plan is just to get him fit and hopefully with that he can stay fit.”

Better news for the Swans ahead of tomorrow’s game at home to Sheffield Wednesday is that Chelsea have agreed to let Conor Gallagher and Marc Guehi remain at the Liberty Stadium for the rest of the 2019/20 season.

The pair joined the Swans on loan in January but were due to see their contracts expire last month.

Gallagher – previously at Charlton – joined the Swans on loan for the second half of the current campaign while Guehi is expected to stay at the Liberty Stadium for the duration of the 2020/21 season in addition to this term.

Given that the season has been extended due to the coronavirus pandemic, Swansea have had to agree fresh terms with clubs regarding their loan players.

They secured extensions for Freddie

Woodman and Ben Wilmot early in June while they later agreed for Rhian Brewster and Aldo Kalulu to stay on for the final weeks of the protracted campaign.

And ahead of the Swans’ final six matches of the campaign, it has been confirmed that Guehi and Gallagher will both see out the season with Steve Cooper’s side.

“That was done yesterday,” Cooper said.

“They’re all good to go, they’ll be with us for the rest of the season and available for selection.

“I don’t know why it was left longer than the others, there was certainly nothing untoward going on.

“It was just a matter of getting stuff done at Chelsea’s end, but that’s all firmed up. Conor and Marc will play a part in the next six games.”

Gallagher has impressed since arriving in South Wales, registering five assists in his 13 Championship appearances for Swansea so far.

Guehi has been restricted to just six appearances, although he could get more game time in the final weeks of the season as a result of the injuries suffered by Joe Rodon and Ben Wilmot.

The latest news comes after Swansea’s five out-of-contract players agreed to stay at the club until the end of the season.

Swansea are four points adrift of the top six ahead of their clash with Sheffield Wednesday at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday.