On-loan keeper Rushworth has ‘no idea’ over future at Swans
SWANSEA stopper Carl Rushworth says he has “no idea” what the future holds for him and says he is concentrating on finishing the season strongly.
The keeper, on loan from top-flight side Brighton & Hove Albion, has been a superb addition to the Swansea side since his arrival last summer. With the Swans under the pump at various points this season, Rushworth has kept them in games and has drawn praise from head coach Luke Williams, who hinted the 22-year-old would be coming back to south Wales for next season too.
Williams later clarified his comments, and Rushworth was quizzed on his short-term future ahead of the clash with Bristol City on Sunday, adding his focus is on the 10 remaining games of the campaign.
When asked about his future, he told the BBC: “I have no idea. I spoke to Brighton and spoke to Margs (Swansea goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson) here.
“I said my main focus here is to finish the season strong.
“There are 10 more league games to get as many points as we can on the board and work our way up the table. That’s all I have been focusing on, the outside noise can only distract me.”
As for the match against the Robins, Rushworth says he and his teammates are “up for it” with two derbies in quick succession in the next 10 days.
“The lads are up for it (Bristol City) and Cardiff – the lads have been looking towards those games,” said Rushworth.
“It’s really good we have a bit of momentum after the last two wins and now a draw going into them. They are big derbies and all the lads are psyched up for it.
“We need to get back at them because obviously the results did not go our way last time.”
Meanwhile, Jamie Paterson says he wants to stay at Swansea.
The attacker has been in good form so far this season, with his influence on games growing since Williams returned to the Swansea dugout. He is out of contract at the end of the current term and says he wants to remain in south Wales - but that the decision would be made by others.
“It’s quite obvious I would want to stay,” Paterson told BBC Sport Wales. “There is no reason for me to want to move away.
“I love being at this club, I have the whole time, with the new manager coming in as well, it gives you even more confidence. There would no reason for me to go elsewhere but at the same time, it’s not up to me.”
Williams, who revealed he was instrumental in bringing Paterson to the club in the first place, says he “does not know” whether the 32-yearold will be offered a new deal at present.
“In terms of the future? I don’t know, I don’t know at the moment,” he said. “I think we are so focused on the here and now and making sure we do a really good job between now and the end of the season.
“After that we have to have a really big think, not just myself but many people, to have a think about what the squad will look like.”