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  1. Sheehan eyes new Swansea signing before Boropublished at 10:47 BST 3 August

    Swansea City head coach Alan Sheehan on the touchlineImage source, Huw Evans Agency

    Swansea City hope to seal at least one more signing before Saturday's Championship opener at Middlesbrough.

    The Swans have so far added Cameron Burgess, Ricardo Santos, Ethan Galbraith, Zeidane Inoussa and Bobby Wales while Melker Widell is with them after being loaned back to Aalborg BK after signing in January.

    However, Swansea's options are limited at centre-back and they are in the market for a striker.

    Asked if a new signing was on the cards ahead of the trip to Middlesbrough, head coach Alan Sheehan replied: "All going well, yeah.

    "We are in talks with players, but we are not going to just sign anyone, it's got to be the right fit for the football club in order to make us better.

    "We've made good quality signings and maybe will make a couple more before the end of the window."

    Swansea's squad remains thin after a long summer leavers list that included Harry Darling, Kyle Naughton, Joe Allen and Lewis O'Brien.

    "There has been a lot of change, we have done good business, but we will also need to bring in more," said Sheehan.

    "There's a recruitment strategy with Adam Worth onto us daily. We are as a football club quite active to bring in more players."

    Swansea have been linked with Wycombe striker Richard Kone, who was left out of their squad for the League One opener at Bradford.

    "There is a lot of noise about that, but it's not something I would comment on," said Sheehan.

  2. Cardiff target four signings with keeper 'coming in'published at 09:50 BST 3 August

    Nathan TrottImage source, Getty Images

    Cardiff City are aiming to make four signings before the transfer window closes, with a move for Copenhagen goalkeeper Nathan Trott seemingly close.

    The Bluebirds are yet to sign anyone this summer but are reportedly lining up the 26-year-old former England Under-20 international, who started his career at West Ham.

    Chairman Mehmet Dalman appeared to confirm that move was imminent when he was asked about the club's transfer dealings.

    "We've got a goalkeeper coming in. And we are looking to add another three players in this window," said Dalman.

    "I can't speak for Brian [Barry-Murphy, head coach], but I think he wanted to have a really good look at what he's got before he made any decisions. I think he has a pretty good idea of what he wants.

    "He is really excited by what he's got here already. Genuinely excited about it."

    Asked how close those signings were to being completed, Dalman added: "One is very close, but we have a problem in getting it over the line, which can be solved.

    "So we want to buy a goalkeeper and one other, then the other two will probably be loans.

    "We don't really need that many new players. I think the squad is pretty good."

    Following their relegation from the Championship last season, Cardiff started life in League One - and Barry-Murphy's tenure - with a 2-1 win over Peterborough United on Saturday.

    Speaking after the game, the new head coach said he hoped to have a signing completed before Thursday's trip to Port Vale.

    "Well, I said that definitely before this [Peterborough] game, so I was held to certain things about the previous press conference," he said.

    "I'm just a little bit nervous about saying definitely before Thursday... but I would say definitely before Thursday."

    Cardiff have seen 11 senior players leave this summer but have managed to hold on to first-teamers such as Yousef Salech and Callum Robinson.

    Asked about their prospects of holding on to the attacking duo, Dalman simply said: "They're not going anywhere."

  3. Wrexham suffer back-to-back defeats in the Netherlandspublished at 19:03 BST 2 August

    Phil Parkinson looks onImage source, Getty Images

    Wrexham were beaten by Eredivisie side FC Groningen in two back-to-back matches in the Netherlands on Saturday.

    In the first game a side which included most recent signing Conor Coady were beaten 1-0 after conceding a late goal.

    The second game saw David Van der Werff put the hosts ahead after 18 minutes but four minutes later Josh Windass equalised with his first goal for Wrexham.

    But Groningen went ahead seven minutes before half-time through Brynjólfur Willumsson and the Iceland international sealed the win with his side's third with a minute of the 90 remaining.

    Wrexham begin the Championship season – their first in English football's second tier since 1982 – on Saturday, 9 August at Southampton.

  4. Swansea lose final friendly to Lorientpublished at 16:55 BST 2 August

    Action from Swansea's friendly against LorientImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Swansea City were beaten 3-1 by French side Lorient in their final friendly ahead of the Championship season.

    Alan Sheehan's side were downed at Swansea.com Stadium and were without the injured Ben Cabango, Filip Lissah, Ricardo Santos and Zan Vipotnik in their last tune-up for next Saturday's trip to Middlesbrough (15:00 BST).

    The Ligue 1 side were in charge from the off and finally got their noses in front through Pablo Pagis' calm finish in the 23rd minute after Cameron Burgess had given the ball away.

    Melker Widell should have swiftly levelled but scuffed his shot from close range and it was 2-0 on the half hour when Pagis scored from Gedeon Kalulu's pass, with Josh Key potentially having the final touch with an attempted tackle.

    The third came from the spot through Mohamed Bamba in the 42nd minute after Igor Silva was brought down by teenager Arthur Parker.

    Ronald should have made it 3-1 after 53 minutes but was denied in a one-on-one with goalkeeper Benjamin Leroy, then Lawrence Vigouroux did likewise at the other end against Pagis.

    Liam Cullen got Swansea off the mark with a penalty in the 64th minute after Ronald had been fouled and then the Wales forward had a header chalked off for offside.

  5. Barry-Murphy praises Cardiff youngsters after opening winpublished at 16:43 BST 2 August

    Ronan Kpakio celebrates scoring for CardiffImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
    Image caption,

    Ronan Kpakio has been included in senior Wales squads, but is yet to play for his country

    New head coach Brian Barry-Murphy praised Cardiff City's young players as they helped him win his first game in charge against Peterborough United.

    Relegated from the Championship last season, the Bluebirds started life in League One with a 2-1 victory at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.

    Barry-Murphy picked the youngest Cardiff team for a league fixture this century, handing first starts to the likes of goalkeeper Matt Turner – chosen in front of senior players Jak Alnwick and Ethan Horvath – and midfielder Joel Colwill.

    Both goals were scored by academy graduates, Rubin Colwill and Ronan Kpakio.

    "To have some of the academy graduates is really beneficial because they feel the club in a way that's different from what I do, based on where I come from, so it's really powerful," said Barry-Murphy.

    "Matt Turner wasn't complicated [as a selection]. I had an idea of certain players before I came to the club. I didn't know a lot about Matt but, since day one pre-season, he's been exceptional.

    "His attitude, in terms of what we asked him to do, his commitment and his skill level as a goalkeeper has been outstanding. Just based on what I saw, he was the clear pick.

    "Joel, we have a lot of competition in that position, but again, his appetite to do the things we've asked him to do and his relentless nature of application was evident."

    Matt TurnerImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
    Image caption,

    Welsh keeper Matt Turner, 23, was making his first senior appearance for Cardiff

    Having fallen behind against the run of play, Cardiff responded well in the second half as Rubin Colwill – captaining the club for the first time – scored a brilliant free-kick.

    Kpakio, an 18-year-old right-back, then curled in a fine first-time effort to put Cardiff in front.

    "It was a great goal. His talent is obvious," said Barry-Murphy.

    "I think where he ended up on the pitch for the goal [inside the penalty area] is important for me.

    "He's a really attacking full-back who can be really dynamic and can cause the opposition a lot of problems.

    "So to see him arrive in that position in the second half was what I wanted to see. He has that quality to produce assists and goals."

  6. Hughes 'relaxed' ahead of League Two managerial debutpublished at 14:08 BST 2 August

    David Hughes looks on from the touchline during a gameImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Newport County boss David Hughes insists he does not feel nervous ahead of his League Two managerial debut on Saturday.

    The Exiles host Notts County at Rodney Parade in their opening league game of the campaign – having won their first competitive game in midweek, and EFL Cup win at Barnet on penalties.

    Hughes succeeded Nelson Jardim as County manager in May, leaving his role as a youth coach at Manchester United having previously been head of academy at Cardiff City.

    The 47-year-old also worked in youth coaching at Southampton and Watford as well as with Wales' age-grade teams, including assistant manager of the Under-21s.

    After briefly managing Barry Town in the Welsh Premier when his playing career came to a premature end due to injury, Hughes returns to managing in senior football.

    "I feel really relaxed about it," Hughes told BBC Sport Wales.

    "When you work with the players and you try and prepare them the best way you possibly can and see how receptive they've been it becomes relaxing on the touchline.

    "The preparation is done, you're trying to help and support them throughout the game with little bits of information.

    "So the players should be excited for the first game of the season. You work for six weeks for that first game.

    "Let's hope the place is bouncing, really good atmosphere and we make it really difficult and hostile for Notts County."