The January transfer window is open and while fans always hope for exciting new signings, there are often more goodbyes than hellos at this time of year.
Supporters will have wish-lists and ideas of priority positions which need to be addressed but January is also a chance for those who are out of favour to seek fresh starts. There are a few players in the Swansea City squad who may fit into that category and could be prime candidates for moves elsewhere, either on loan or permanently.
The most high-profile name on that list is Jay Fulton.
Signed from Falkirk in 2014, he has been a senior Swansea player for longer than anybody else in the squad.
Last season he made 39 appearances in league and cup, the most of his entire career, and was a key part of Steve Cooper's industrious midfield. As well as the tough tackling and intelligent defensive play which he is best known for, he also got forward more and scored three goals to help Swansea to the play-off final.
However the Scot has fallen off the radar in this campaign.
The arrivals of Flynn Downes, Olivier Ntcham and Liam Walsh over the summer saw Fulton fall down the pecking order and he hasn’t played since September. He hasn't even made the bench in any of Swansea's last eight games, fueling speculation he could head for the exit soon.
There has been reported interest from his old boss Cooper at Forest, which would make sense. Whatever happens, Fulton's days at the Swansea.com Stadium look to be numbered.
Fulton had become a popular figure over recent years and there are many who will be sad to see him go. Despite the increased competition for places in his position, it's strange that Fulton's been left out in the cold but it's clear Martin doesn't see space for him in his plans and therefore a parting of ways seems inevitable.
Another player who has failed to win Martin over is Yan Dhanda. The attacking midfielder has played just 73 Championship minutes and no longer seems to be on his manager’s radar.
Dhanda was signed in 2018 as an exciting young prospect but never managed to nail down a spot for himself in the first team. He has had promising periods and great moments where it seemed like he may finally become the player we all felt he could be. Alas, he could never build on those moments of magic and even after three and a half years at the club, he still doesn't look physically strong enough to make it in the second tier.
Dhanda has no shortage of potential but with the 23-year-old now a peripheral figure, the time may have come for him to look elsewhere for minutes.
Another player being strongly linked with a move away, albeit on loan, is Morgan Whittaker.
The youngster arrived just 12 months ago from Derby and was seen as one for the future but his first-team involvement has been largely limited to cup appearances and infrequent cameos off the bench.
He is expected to go on loan to League One Lincoln City, which will hopefully give him the game time he needs to push on. He's only 20 years old so has time on his side and a short-term drop to the third tier could prove to be a wise move in the long run, seeing as he's unlikely to see much action at Swansea during the second half of the campaign.
Fellow striker Liam Cullen was included in the starting line-up on several occasions at the beginning of the season but his last league start was against Preston on August 28.
Many Swansea fans feel Cullen is overdue a loan move and believe his development has been stunted by remaining at his boyhood club, where he spends most of his time warming the bench.
The Wales Under-21 international is clearly in desperate need of minutes but his preferred position is currently occupied by Joel Piroe, who has been one of the best strikers in the Championship this season. He was tested out in a deeper position earlier in the campaign and it didn't suit him, so he is faced with the option of either remaining at Swansea as a third choice behind Piroe and Michael Obafemi, or he can finally get the loan which many supporters feel he needs.
Two more academy product who were given their chance earlier in the season before falling out of favour are Brandon Cooper and Steven Benda.
Both players have previously benefited from loans to League Two clubs and both were hoping to make the jump to regular Championship football this season. However neither youngster has made a league appearance since August.
Cooper had the odd shaky moment earlier in the season but is slightly unlucky to find himself so far down the pecking order. He certainly has plenty of potential and deserves more opportunities, especially as those who are starting ahead of him have also had their troubles of late.
His first-team prospects may depend on the fate of fellow centre-back Rhys Williams, whose loan move from Liverpool hasn't gone to plan. Williams has only made four league starts and should Liverpool decide to recall their man, Cooper may get more chances in the second half of the season.
As for Benda, he was replaced by Ben Hamer after a number of hairy performances. He struggled with Martin's style of play and his ropey footwork proved too risky. After a string of costly errors, he was dropped to the bench and despite a recent dip in form from Hamer, Benda is unlikely to regain his starting spot anytime soon.
He too could probably do with a loan move to regain some confidence but that could depend on whether Swansea bring in another keeper to fill the void. The Swans have been linked with MK Dons keeper Andy Fisher and if he comes in, that would open the door for Benda to head elsewhere for some game-time.
At 23 years old the German is still young for a goalkeeper so has time to develop and become a reliable number one but for that to happen he may need to head out on loan again.
It’s standard practice for Swansea to send a few of the under-23s out on loan in January too. The likes of Dan Williams and Lincoln McFayden have impressed in the League Cup. A bit of first-team action in a lower league could help quite a few of them.
But other than the odd fringe player, Swansea will be very keen to keep their squad in one piece.
Martin will be hoping that these are the only players he needs to worry about losing in January. The Swans will be keen to ensure their key players all remain in place to give them the best possible chance of succeeding in 2022.
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