Russell Martin has at last admitted his squad is still deficient in certain areas even after players came in during the transfer window. It’s taken a bit of time to dust down and assess but sources are very keen to tell us about a few of those players whose agents are in talks with Swansea City FC.

Russel Martin’s ideal scenario now is to talk with any players he thinks would make a good fit at the swans, and for them to come to the club for a two week period. During that time their fitness and ability will be assessed by the medical staff and their commitment to the Swansea cause, and as well away from the medical rooms their integration in to the squad. We are aware that Martin is slightly concerned that certain players are available, especially at a time of their careers when they really shouldn’t be. The attitude assessment is as important as the players ability and understanding of what Martin wants on the pitch.

First off we do know Robbie Brady is interested in joining a championship club, his representatives have been in tentative dialogue with the swans recently. He is currently training just outside Dublin airport in an attempt to achieve an acceptable level of fitness. Apparently he is as fit as he has been for a long time. Talking to the Irish Examiner Brady is careful in his his selection of words “I know how it works,” he admits. “It was coming to the stage that I wanted to play more football. Lots of players are in the same boat right now. This is a new situation for me, but I’m excited rather than worried. Following the Euros, the market has been slow, and clubs haven’t finalised their squads. I’ve a few offers, but I’ll take my time in coming to the right decision. Things can change very quickly; like it did for Andros Townsend, who joined Everton recently.”

It seems Brady has an eye on the premier league still, unfortunately for him his appearance record at most of his clubs is poor, his injuries and non selection the reason. He is no longer premier league standard. He needs to accept that and understand championship clubs are mostly on limited budgets and he has to manage his own expectations regards this. Almost four years have passed since Brady’s last surgery, when his patella tendon ruptured in an accidental challenge with old Hull City team-mate, Harry Maguire. That hasn’t prevented a series of other niggles, some of the shrapnel from his operation and others entirely unrelated. In March he suffered an Achilles injury in Qatar playing for the Republic of Ireland which apparently stopped Burnley offering him a new contract. Then there were broken ribs last year.

Of course it’s all easy to overcome, Brady is quick to dispel what he sees as his injury myth “There can be a perception,” he notes about ridding the injury-prone tag. People probably don’t realise that I was available for 80% of Burnley’s matches last season, the average for most players, up to the injury in March. I had four-and-a-half great years at Burnley, qualifying for Europe for the first time in 50 years, but last season there wasn’t much change in the team. That was to generate a rhythm, but meant it was difficult getting back in if you missed a match.”

In the last ten years Brady has played 254 games scoring 21 goals, his game is more about attacking football and creating chances for others though. A fit Brady is a no brainer for Russell Martin, they were team mates at Norwich City when Martin was club captain. Both were high wage earners too at the Canaries, however their careers have gone in different directions. A fit and fired up Robbie Brady would be ideal for the swans, if Brady decides to take up Russell Martin’s offer of a trial and review of where he is as at for the rest if this season it could well prove to be a massive positive.

Photographs licensed from Reuters : Top cover shot Martin & Brady at Norwich City ( Action Images )

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