Your Swansea City headlines for Friday, January 7.
Pilgrims yet to receive Swans contact
Plymouth Argyle manager Steven Schumacher has confirmed the club have not been told Swansea plan to recall Jordon Garrick this month.
The winger joined the League One outfit on a season-long loan deal in the summer and has impressed during his time at Home Park.
Garrick has netted five times in 27 appearances in all competitions for the Pilgrims this term and has become a pivotal figure in the club's promotion push.
Swansea recently recalled Kyle Joseph from his loan at Cheltenham Town after Ethan Laird left south Wales to join Championship rivals Bournemouth.
But Schumacher has stated that he has only held talks with Swansea regarding Garrick's progress in the south west of England.
Schumacher told PlymouthLive: "The only contact I have had with Swansea was through (technical development coach) Matt Gill, who checks in every now and again to see how Jordon is doing.
"Jordon is doing great. He's flying isn't he? He has been a real good player for us and we are made up that he's still here.
"And, no, we have had no contact from them to say otherwise."
Garrick's current Swansea contract runs through until the summer of 2023.
Six Saints stars absent for cup clash
Southampton will be without six players for their FA Cup third round clash with Swansea this weekend.
The Saints have been hit by Covid-19 while they also have injury concerns ahead of the contest with Russell Martin's side.
Tino Livramento and Will Smallbone are both set to miss out due to knee and calf injuries respectively while defender Mohammed Salisu is suspended after being sent off against Tottenham.
And the visitors will be without Kyle Walker-Peters, Che Adams and Thierry Small who have all tested positive for coronavirus.
“We have Tino Livramento and Will Smallbone, two players still out with injury,” said Ralph Hasenhuttl.
“We have Kyle Walker-Peters with a new Covid case, Thierry Small and Ché Adams to make it three Covid cases.
“Against Tottenham we had five but we still played and we are hoping to not get more cases but you never know, but at the moment we are without these players.
“And Sali[su] suspension for the weekend.”
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Martin gives team news update
Russell Martin says Swansea will be able to name a strong team on the pitch to face Southampton.
Two unidentified players will miss out after testing positive for Covid-19 this week, although several others have been working their way back to full fitness this week.
And while Martin admits some fringe players will be given the chance to impress, the head coach is still confident that his starting 11 will be a recognisable one.
“It’s [squad] a bit fuller, but we’re still missing a couple who tested positive earlier this week. But we’ve been a couple of days without any positives now," he explained.
"The squad is not back to full quota or everyone training yet but we’re in a much better place than we were. We can put a very strong team out tomorrow which is the most important thing.
“There’s lots that are fit. We’re able to name a strong team with a couple of young guys on the bench.
“The team is going to look different because even some of the guys who are back won’t be ready to start a match yet.
“It gives an opportunity to a couple of players who maybe haven’t had an opportunity recently."
Owen gives cup prediction
Michael Owen believes Southampton are firm favourites to emerge victorious in their cup contest with Swansea this weekend.
The Swans have not played for almost a month and lost their most three recent fixtures against Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough and Reading.
And former England striker fully expects the Saints to progress into the fourth round of this season's FA Cup.
"This should be a comfortable away win for Southampton," he told Bet Victor.
"Swansea are having a poor season and Southampton come into this on the back of four very good points in their last two.
"I can see a 2-0 Southampton win."
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