The news to greet swans fans this morning that Jamie Paterson has increased his contract time at Swansea has been received with a huge sigh of relief by all at SA1. Remarkably the most unremarkable signing by Russell Martin this season has turned out to be a huge success.

Alongside this Russell Martin has declared the swans are under strength but will field a strong side for tomorrows FA Cup tie against Southampton. Ralph Hassenhuttl has also confirmed he has a number of player unavailable but not all from the Covid virus. Speaking today he stated “We have Tino Livramento and Will Smallbone as two players still out with injury,” Hasenhuttl clarified. “Kyle Walker-Peters has a new COVID case and Thierry Small and Che Adams are still out, they’re the three COVID cases. “Against Tottenham we had five but still played. We are hoping to not get more cases but you never know but at the moment we are with these players out, (Mohammed Salisu) Sali is suspended for the weekend.”

Southampton are expected to field a younger side at the Swansea.Com stadium but then so are the swans In the BBC televised game which kicks off at 5.30pm. On Paterson, who it seemed was getting far too much press regards a move from Swansea Martin stated “With Jamie Paterson we have triggered the extension a little bit earlier, so that is done,” he said. “That’s good news and it is an automatic 12-month extension.” The increase in salary, albeit not massive will serve notice to everyone this window isn’t going to be easy. Martin commented on that by saying “ The rest of the transfer plan outside that hasn't changed in terms of where we want to add. Hopefully we’ll have some news on that very soon."

That’s good news to hear, swans fans are looking for good news from anywhere this month, tomorrow will bring a break in their concerns with the FA Cup tie going ahead behind closed doors due to Welsh Assembly guidelines for sporting events in Wales.

Photographs licensed from Reuters

Swansea City Polls