Naughton’s new deal delights Cooper as Swansea look ahead
KYLE Naughton has given Swansea City a boost in their bid for promotion after signing a new contract at the Liberty Stadium.
The defender’s previous deal was set to expire following the conclusion of the 2020/21 season.
However, the Swans have triggered an option to extend the 32-year-old’s deal until the summer of 2022.
It’s understood Naughton was required to make 30 starts for Swansea this season for an extension clause to be activated.
He reached that total in the recent 2-2 draw with Wycombe Wanderers, although the club were keen to reward Naughton for his performances anyway – regardless of the contract option that existed.
“We’re delighted that he’s committed to another year,” said manager Steve Cooper.
“He’s had an excellent season so far, and he has shown great leadership on and off the pitch.
“Kyle has shown his versatility at right-back and right centreback, and he is a very popular member of the squad. He is highly respected and well regarded as a footballer by his team-mates and the staff.”
Naughton is bidding to help Swansea regain promotion into the Premier League having been part of the squad that was relegated in 2018.
The Swans will face either Barnsley, Brentford or Bournemouth in the play-off semifinals next month having already secured their place in the top six ahead of their final two games of the regular season against Derby County and Watford.
After last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Reading at the Madejski Stadium, Cooper suggested he would rest key players for this weekend’s clash with Derby at the Liberty Stadium.
Top scorer Andre Ayew could yet feature against Derby, although he suffered a slight setback with his hamstring injury after featuring against Reading.
But Cooper says he will select a strong side to face Wayne Rooney’s Derby tomorrow (3pm), while ensuring any rotation fully benefits his side ahead of the play-offs.
“I think we need to get the balance right,” he said.
“There’s still two games left to play. A lot of good can come out from that in terms of results and performances. A lot of players are in good form and we want to keep momentum going.
“There’s a few lads like Andre whose struggling a little bit physically that we need to be careful with.
“Resting players, it’ll only be because they medically can’t play, it won’t be because they physically can’t play.”