Swansea City

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Hannes Delcroix is a fitness concern for Swansea City as they go in search of a fourth successive Championship win when they host Hull City on Friday (15:00 BST).

Defender Delcroix missed last weekend's 1-0 victory at Sunderland with a thigh issue picked up in training.

Delcroix, who is on loan from Burnley, trained on Thursday but is "touch and go" for the Hull game, according to caretaker head coach Alan Sheehan.

Another loanee, Myles Peart-Harris, has already been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to injury, but aside from that Swansea have a near clean bill of health going into the final four games of 2024-25.

Long-term absentees Kristian Pedersen, who is out of contract this summer, and promising defender Filip Lissah are both back in full training.

While Swansea's impressive form has seen them pull clear of relegation danger, Hull are only three points clear of the drop zone having won just one of their past five matches.

"Hull is a very difficult challenge, where they are and how they are doing," Sheehan said.

"They are coming to our patch but we expect a very difficult game again. We have decent momentum at the moment but understand that in the Championship, that can be taken away from you if you take things for granted."

Hull City's late leveller against Coventry City in their previous game might just prove vital to the Tigers' hopes of steering clear of the relegation battle.

That 1-1 draw keeps them three points above the bottom three but, with their vastly superior goal difference to the three teams in trouble, it's effectively four.

The Swans are on a roll, with three wins on the spin and still have a super-slim chance of sneaking into the top six.

• Swansea City have lost just one of their past nine home league games against Hull City (W3 D5), including none of their last five (W2 D3).

• After beating Swansea 2-1 in December, Hull could do the league double over them for the first time since 2016-17 in the Premier League.

• Since beating Rotherham 4-3 in 2019, Swansea are winless in their past four league games on Good Friday (D3 L1).

• Hull are unbeaten in each of their past two away league games on Good Friday (W1 D1), beating Crewe Alexandra 2-1 in 2021 and drawing 4-4 with Sunderland in 2023.

• Swansea have won each of their past three league games without conceding, the Swans last won four successive league games without conceding in March 2008.

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Josh Key says Swansea City will be inspired by a trip to the Stadium of Light this weekend even if the pressure for points has eased after back-to-back home victories.

Swansea looked to have wiped out any relegation concerns with five games left this season having reached 51 points thanks to Wednesday's win over Plymouth Argyle.

The resounding 3-0 triumph against Plymouth followed an ugly 1-0 success against a physical Derby County side last weekend.

Swansea now turn their attention to one of the division's top clubs, with Sunderland – who have lost just one home league game all season - likely to be backed by a crowd of more than 40,000 when they host Alan Sheehan's team on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The fourth-placed Black Cats, who are nine points adrift of the automatic promotion places, look set for the play-offs unless something remarkable happens in what remains of the regular campaign.

"Sunderland are a very good team but I think the atmosphere there will drive us," said Swansea right-back Key.

"I think the last two results have taken a lot of pressure off us - we have a free hit almost at the weekend.

"We know they are going to be a very similar team to us in terms of how they transition and attack quickly.

"But we have to take our confidence into Sunderland and show our best again."

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Ian Walsh hopes Swansea City can play with "less anxiety" during the course of their Championship run-in.

The Swans secured a convincing 3-0 triumph over Plymouth Argyle on Wednesday night thanks to goals from Lewis O'Brien, Harry Darling and Josh Key.

Victory moved Alan Sheehan's side nine points clear of the second tier's relegation zone with only five matches of the season remaining.

And former Wales and Swansea striker Walsh wants the Swans to attack the final stages of the campaign with freedom having all-but preserved their Championship status.

"Another three points at home, fantastic for the manager, fantastic for the players," he told BBC Radio Wales after Swansea's victory over the Pilgrims.

"Hopefully for the rest of the season, they can play with less anxiety on their shoulders and put an extra nine points over the next five games."

Key scored the pick of the goals against Plymouth, netting his first Swansea goal in almost exactly a year as Sheehan's side ran riot in the opening half in south Wales.

And Walsh lauded the right-back's display.

"His driving [runs] forward, but that, as well as the goal, he scored a worldie tonight," Walsh said of Key.

"It's a fantastic goal from him. He was excellent.

"He's had his doom and gloom, if you like, for parts of the season, but tonight he was superb. I would definitely give him man-of-the-match."

Sunderland are now assured of a play-off spot and a win over Swansea would guarantee them at least a fourth-placed finish

Swansea go into the game on the back of a three-match unbeaten run.

• After their 3-2 win in December, Sunderland are looking to record their first league double over Swansea City since 1963-64.

• Swansea have won each of their past three away league games at Sunderland, this after only winning two of their first 14 beforehand (D5 L7).

• Sunderland have earned 43 points in 20 Championship home games this season, their most from their opening 20 home matches of a season in one of England's top two tiers since 2004-05 (46).

• Swansea have only won one of their past nine away league outings (D2 L6), a 1-0 victory at Bristol City in February.

• Sunderland have kept a clean sheet in each of their past three league games, last keeping four in a row in the Championship in February 2007.

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Alan Sheehan says Swansea City must roll their sleeves up and prepare for another scrap when they host Plymouth Argyle on Wednesday (19:45 BST).

Swansea overcame Derby County in a dire game last Saturday, with Eom Ji-Sung's late goal lighting up an otherwise forgettable contest.

After a victory which eased their own relegation worries, Swansea now turn their attention to a meeting with an Argyle side who are bottom of the table and desperate for points.

Miron Muslic's team are showing signs of life, however, having beaten Norwich City at the weekend to make it seven points from their past four games.

"At this time of the season, with single figures left in games, people are fighting for their lives," said Swansea caretaker boss Sheehan.

"Derby were, Plymouth are - we have to match that in every game.

"Yes I understand that sometimes you'd like to do it in style, but it's difficult right now against the teams we are coming up against.

"It is all about finding a way. I'd rather win ugly I suppose than lose pretty, if that makes sense. That's where we are at right now."

Sheehan says he has no fresh injury concerns going into a game Muslic has billed as must-win for his team.

The Pilgrims, who still have to face promotion-chasing Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, Coventry City and Leeds United this season, have the worst away record in the Championship, having taken only nine points on their travels in 2024-25.

But four of those points have come in their previous two away fixtures, with their solitary win on the road coming at Portsmouth last month.

"Every team raises their level by 5% at this time of year," Sheehan added.

"They are a team we have to be aware of and try to give the best version of ourselves."

Swansea City welcome the Championship's bottom side Plymouth Argyle to south Wales on Wednesday night (19:45 BST).

After their win against Derby on Saturday the Swans are now seven points clear of the drop zone, but a run of poor results could make the end to their season a little uncomfortable.

Plymouth, meanwhile, seemed down and out until they beat Norwich 2-1 over the weekend and put themselves within five points of safety; meaning victory over Swansea is vital.

• Swansea have won five of their previous seven league games against Plymouth (D1 L1), winning this season's reverse meeting 2-1 in December.

• After their 1-0 win in this exact fixture last season, Plymouth could win back-to-back away league games against Swansea for only the second time, previously doing so in 1984-85/1985-86.

• Swansea have lost four of their past five midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games (D1), scoring just one goal in this time, since a 3-0 victory over QPR in December.

• Plymouth have picked up four points in their previous two away league games (W1 D1), just one fewer than their first 18 outings of the season beforehand (5 – W0 D5 L13).

• Plymouth have won two of their past three league games played on a Wednesday (D1), as many as their previous 12 on this day of the week beforehand (W2 D5 L4).

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Swansea City goalkeeper Andy Fisher enjoyed his best day yet as a St Johnstone player as he helped the Scottish Premiership club to a shock victory over Celtic on Sunday.

St Johnstone were given little chance of claiming victory as they hosted Brendan Rodgers' champions-in-waiting.

But the division's bottom club stunned the leaders thanks to a goal from Daniels Balodis – and a number of fine saves from Fisher.

"There were a lot of good performances, starting from the striker all the way, of course, to our goalkeeper. You need in these matches to make saves and Andy Fisher made those saves," said St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari.

Fisher has made 12 appearances for St Johnstone – missing only one game so far, through illness – since joining on loan from Swansea in January.

The former MK Dons player has not played in a league fixture for Swansea since Russell Martin's final game in charge, which was in May 2023.

He spent the 2023-24 campaign as back-up to on-loan Brighton keeper Carl Rushworth, then picked up a significant injury in a friendly before the current campaign began.

As a result, Swansea brought in Jon McLaughlin to provide competition for new number one Lawrence Vigouroux, which meant Fisher was allowed to move to Scotland in search of some first-team football.

The 27-year-old is under contract at Swansea until the end of next season.

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John Eustace says Derby County will address Jerry Yates' future at the end of the season.

Yates has enjoyed a positive campaign having joined Derby on a year-long loan from Swansea last summer.

The striker is the Rams' leading scorer this season having netted eight times in 36 appearances.

As things stand, Yates will return to Swansea at the end of the season, as he is under contract at the Welsh club until at least 2026.

When asked whether he would like to keep Yates beyond the summer, Derby boss Eustace said: "I think Jerry has done very well - that is something we will discuss at the end of the year."

Yates is thought to be one of the higher earners at Swansea having joined from Blackpool in a deal worth about £3m in 2023.

What comes next for the former Rotherham United player is likely to depend to some extent on who is in charge at Swansea, with caretaker boss Alan Sheehan only in place - for the moment at least - for the remainder of this campaign.

Yates was ineligible to feature as Sheehan's Swansea beat Derby 1-0 on Saturday.

When asked whether Yates' absence had been a factor in Derby's first defeat in five games, Eustace added: "Jerry's been great.

"He scored on Wednesday [against Preston] but [Kayden] Jackson came in and did well, he worked his socks off as the rest of the group did."

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Alan Sheehan savoured "the love" from Swansea City's fans after victory over Derby County put his side seven points clear of the Championship relegation zone.

Eom Ji-Sung's goal settled a low-quality match, the South Korean steering home at the far post to give Swansea a first win in four games.

Swansea are up to15th in the table and host bottom club Plymouth Argyle on Wednesday. They know victory would take them beyond the Championship's traditional 50-point survival mark with five fixtures still to come in 2024-25.

Sheehan, Swansea's caretaker head coach for the remainder of the season, acknowledged that parts of his team's performance against Derby were not pretty.

But he saluted the supporters who gave him a rousing reception at full time.

"I thought the fans were really good," Sheehan said.

"I would have loved to score earlier, create more, but it's the way it is. At the end of the day, we sent them home happy.

"Would they be happy with some aspects of the play? Definitely not. But they saw a team fighting for each other and finding a way to win.

"The atmosphere at the end was great and I really appreciate the love they show me."

The Derby victory was a third in four home games since Sheehan took charge following the departure of Luke Williams in February.

Sheehan now has 11 points from seven fixtures at the helm – exactly the same record as the Irishman achieved during his spell as caretaker boss last season.

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Alan Sheehan toasted a fine result – and a gritty performance – after Swansea City eased their relegation concerns with victory over Derby County.

Substitute Eom Ji-Sung's 79th-minute goal – which was Swansea's only shot on target – settled what was a dire contest.

Derby, who arrived on the back of four straight victories, had looked the side most likely to find a breakthrough thanks chiefly to their long-throw threat.

But Eom's close-range finish saw Swansea claim a third triumph in four home games since Sheehan took charge following Luke Williams' departure in February.

"It wasn't a wonderful game, but it was a wonderful win," said caretaker head coach Sheehan.

"I tried to explain the magnitude of this game in the media and I didn't want to downplay it - I said it would be a dogfight. The ball goes out, long throws, set-plays, against a big physical team – we had to be more physical.

"At times that killed our fluidity but it's a fine balance to go and win a game against a team who are down there fighting and have a formula to win games at the moment.

"It was a wonderful defensive display, a win in the Championship and the one bit of quality in the whole game brought the goal. At this stage of the season, that's how it's going to be."

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Swansea's first win in four games means they are seven points clear of the relegation zone with six matches remaining this season, with bottom of the table Plymouth Argyle to come at home on Wednesday.

Sheehan said he could "not speculate" on how many more points Swansea need to guarantee survival.

"We will go into every game and try to pick up as many points as we can," he said.

"I think we are showing at the moment that we are very adaptable and are capable of picking up different points. Leeds last week, today is totally different, Blackburn and Middlesbrough are different.

"The players are in a good place."

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Alan Sheehan says Jerry Yates' long-term future will be discussed at the end of the season as Swansea City prepare to face the striker's loan club this Saturday (15:00 BST).

Yates has enjoyed a positive spell at Derby County this season, and scored his eighth goal of the campaign – in his 36th appearance – as the Rams beat Preston North End on Wednesday.

But the 28-year-old will be ineligible to feature when Derby take on his parent club at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Yates, who joined Swansea from Blackpool in a deal worth about £3m in 2023, is under contract at the Welsh club until at least 2026.

"Jerry came in last year and it was an up and down year for him, but he's gone to Derby and played regular games which was the plan," said Swansea caretaker boss Sheehan.

"He's doing really well there and [his future] will be a conversation in the summer I'm sure."

As for this weekend, Sheehan says Derby "have replacements who can come in and do a similar job" to Yates as they target a fifth straight league victory.

John Eustace's rejuvenated team climbed out of the relegation places thanks to the Preston win and would close to within a point of Swansea with an away triumph.

"It's going to be a dogfight because of how they play," Sheehan said.

"They are winning games, they have found a formula to do so. They've got momentum and momentum is powerful.

"But that's them, we have to focus on ourselves. We believe that if we give the best version of ourselves, we are a test for even the top teams now."

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Director of football Richard Montague says Swansea City remain in discussions with Harry Darling as they attempt to convince the centre-back to sign a new deal.

Darling, 25, has made 107 appearances since joining Swansea in 2021 and has established himself as a key figure this season.

But as things stand, he will be free to join another club for nothing when his contract expires this summer.

Montague says Swansea have made Darling what they consider to be a "fair offer".

"We will do our best to get him to sign as he's a really important player, but our job is figuring what's the amount we want to pay Harry," Montague told a fans' forum held at the Swansea.com Stadium on Thursday.

"There is an amount he would accept today, but our job is to work out what allows us to spend money we need to spend on the rest of the squad.

"We can't spend the entire budget on Harry, but there is an amount that makes sense for us and for him, so we'll work to find that."

Montague says Swansea must accept that they will miss out on potential signings – and fail to convince current players to extend their deals – because of the club's financial constraints.

And he stressed that in future, Swansea would "be working incredibly hard" to tie down players before the prospect of leaving on a free comes into view.

Caretaker head coach Alan Sheehan believes Darling may yet follow fellow defender Ben Cabango's lead by signing a new contract.

"I am hoping, we all hope, that there will be positive movement on that," Sheehan said.

"I love Harry Darling, I don't make any secret of that.

"I am quite hard on him at times but we have a wonderful relationship and he has been exceptional in this block of games and we miss him when he's not playing."