Defensive questions for Swans ahead of opener
MANAGER Steve Cooper says Swansea City are ready for the start of the new season, despite having to take a depleted squad to Newport County for their EFL Cup first round clash today (3pm).
With Ben Cabango and Connor Roberts on Wales duty, Bersant Celina away with Kosovo and Marc Guehi being selected by England Under-21s along with Wales Under-21s calling up Liam Cullen, Brandon Cooper, Jack Evans, Joe Lewis and Oli Cooper, the Swans boss’ options are limited for the tie.
Joe Rodon is the only senior centre-back available for the tie, though Cooper utilised Kyle Naughton and midfielder Jay Fulton alongside the Wales international for the midweek friendly win over Forest Green.
Despite that, Cooper believes the Swans are well prepared to begin their campaign, almost five weeks after last season ended with play-off defeat against Brentford.
“We won’t have much chance to rotate players because a lot of the players are out of the door for the international break,” he said.
“I’ve always had the mindset that you work with the players that are in the building, and everyone is focused on the job ahead on Saturday.
“Everyone is excited and we are looking forward to getting the season started.”
Meanwhile, Cooper believes Swansea can benefit from Cabango’s elevation to the full Wales squad, the 20-year-old making his debut as a late substitute in the Nations League victory over Finland on Thursday.
“We’re very proud of Ben being with the national team,” said Cooper. “He is an academy graduate who had his opportunity last season and took it and has now had the recognition this year for his national team.
“When he comes back he will be a better player for the full international experience.
“We saw his potential as soon as we took him into the first team squad.
“He’s a good learner, he wants to improve every single day and we’re really enjoying watching him develop.”
Cooper added that Swansea are looking to do further business in the transfer window as he looks to bolster his squad.
The Swans have already signed Jamal Lowe from Wigan Athletic and Korey Smith on a free transfer following a successful spell with Bristol City, along with clinching season-long deals for Freddie Woodman, Morgan Gibbs-White and Marc Guehi from Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea.
“We lost 11 players at the end of last season so we needed to bring some players in and we still need strengthening in some positions,” said the Swans boss.
“We’re still in that process and it needs to go a bit quicker, but it was good that we got a few players in early as we had to get the ball rolling fairly quickly.
“We need some strikers, there’s no doubt about that and I’d like another centre-back as well. We’re hopeful that we can still do that.”
Swansea have seen several of their players linked to moves away this week, with reports linking Matt Grimes with Watford, Cabango with Leeds and Bersant Celina with Ligue 1 side Dijon.