The Benefits Of Reserve Team Football

No less than 6 members of the first team squad will make the trip south for the game with Bournemouth which kicks off at 2pm. Roger Freestone, Michael Howard, Andy Robinson, Kieron Durkan, Richard Duffy and Stuart Jones will all make an appearance whilst Izzy Iriekpen has been named in the line-up to allow the club to cast an eye over his talent.

After an absence with no reserve team football, the Swans will see the benefits of these players having a run out as some, if not all, will be needed over the coming months and will be nearer match fitness as a result of these games. Similarly, Bournemouth are expected to name a strong side with several first teamers working their way back to full fitness.

In previous seasons, the Swans have had to rely on local games to give some of their fringe players a work out but now they have competitive football to keep them fit and this can only be of benefit to the club in the long term.

Lining up alongside the Swans in the Wales and West Division of the Pontins Holiday combination are Bournemouth, Yeovil Town, Bristol City, Bristol Rovers, Oxford United, Cardiff City, Cheltenham Town, Plymouth Argyle and Swindon Town.

As well as these players being match fit for the side you also have the added benefit that they will be competing more heavily for a first team place with those that currently occupy them and the players mentioned above should be thinking that good performances in the reserves will increase their chances of a starting spot for the Swans.

Certainly one of those places will become available soon with the club today announcing that they have failed with an appeal to have Brad Maylett's red card against Bristol City overturned. New football league rules state that clubs only have a right to appeal over a straight red card rather than two yellow card offences. With Maylett now being suspended for the visit of Mansfield Town a week on Saturday, his place will be up for grabs by one of the players in action tomorrow with Andy Robinson or Kieron Durkan presumably favourites to be drafted in.

Meanwhile, current first choice goalkeeper Brian Murphy has been called up to the Republic of Ireland Under-20 squad for the game against the Czech Republic next month. Murphy will join up with his international team mates straight after the Swans first ever league visit to Huish Park to play Yeovil Town.

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