Swansea City

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Adam Idah played his first football since December as he came off the bench in the Republic of Ireland's World Cup play-off semi-final defeat by the Czech Republic.

Idah had been sidelined by a hamstring injury suffered in Swansea City training over Christmas.

But having returned to Swansea's bench for last weekend's Championship defeat to Coventry City, the striker made his playing return as he played the final 24 minutes of extra time in Prague.

There was disappointment for the Republic of Ireland as they were beaten on penalties despite leading 2-0 in the first half.

Idah scored in the shootout at the end of game but Finn Azaz and Alan Browne missed as the Czechs progressed.

Elsewhere, Swansea duo Leo Walta and Marko Stamenic played against each other as Finland beat New Zealand in a friendly on Friday, while Cameron Burgess featured as a substitute in Australia's friendly win over Cameroon.

Lawrence Vigouroux started in Chile's 4-2 friendly triumph over Cape Verde.

Idah's World Cup disappointment was shared by Wales pair Liam Cullen and Ben Cabango, as well as Swansea's Northern Ireland midfielder Ethan Galbraith.

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Ethan Galbraith's first memories of the World Cup are of watching the 2010 finals in South Africa and the Northern Ireland midfielder says it's a bit of a "pinch me moment" to be just two wins away from playing at this year's tournament.

Michael O'Neill's side face Italy in a play-off semi-final in Bergamo on Thursday (19:45 GMT) and should they prevail, they will then move on to play either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina for a place in this summer's finals in North America.

Galbraith, who was on the bench in 2021 when Northern Ireland held Italy to a goalless draw at home which sent the Azzurri into an ultimately unsuccessful play-off semi-final, is aware of the task ahead but is delighted to be in this position.

"I've thought about it a few times and they are going to be tough games, but to even be a part of those games is huge," the 24-year-old Swansea City man told BBC Sport NI.

"We can go out there, give it our all and hopefully it will be enough on the night.

"It's a bit of a pinch me moment. To be involved in this squad is unreal, but to be two games away from a World Cup is crazy."

While Northern Ireland will be missing some key figures including Conor Bradley and Dan Ballard, Italy also have concerns with midfielder Sandro Tonali missing Newcastle United's weekend defeat by Sunderland with a groin injury.

However, Galbraith insists Northern Ireland are preparing for the best version of Italy who he acknowledges will be "under a lot of pressure" to reach their first World Cup since 2014.

Although Northern Ireland finished third in their qualifying group, performances in the defeats by Germany brought positives and Galbraith feels they can act as good preparation for their Italian test.

"You have to prepare for their [Italy] best team and we did that with Germany," he offered.

"Germany are a top side and so is Italy with a number of superstars, so having those games against Germany in the group has put us in good stead for this game.

"If we can go out and give it 100%, we can be a match for anyone."

Watch Italy v Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off on Thursday, 26 March from 19:00 GMT on BBC iPlayer, BBC One NI and BBC Three; listen on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster, and follow live text commentary with in-play clips on BBC Sport app and website.

On Wednesday, 25 March watch a special preview show with Italy and Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport app and website from 19:00 GMT.

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Former midfielder Owain Tudur Jones says Swansea City must learn from their January recruitment and invest in the "right positions" this summer.

Swansea are looking likely to finish in mid-table in the Championship - currently sitting 14th, 11 points off the play-off places.

Speaking after the 3-0 defeat at home by leaders Coventry City, Jones said money needs to be spent on the squad, but in the correct areas.

"Like every club, without investment it's impossible [to get promotion]. But then it's about investment in the right positions," said Jones.

"Signing someone like Leo Walta in the January transfer window was quite a big signing, quite a big outlay for where the Swans are right now, and in hindsight you're probably thinking 'it's the wrong position' because he's already similar to what is here.

"This summer it becomes a game of good recruitment in the right areas, the forward positions.

"Eom and Ronald - as wingers - started really well, their numbers were much better than they had been in previous years, but it's reverted to type, if you like.

"They're good Championship footballers - probably not footballers for a promotion-winning team."

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BBC Sport asked Swansea City supporters what more they want to see from their team following their 3-0 home defeat to Championship leaders Coventry City.

Here are some of the responses:

Christian: Swansea need to be more clinical when they have a chance to score. There were chances in the game against Coventry which they simply should have taken. The effort is there but some players are lacking a bit going forward. I am thinking Ronald here, as he can't seem to get a good ball into the box or get past an opposition player.

Gareth: [Vitor] Matos has come in and moved us away from danger, so that has been a huge positive. [Lawrence] Vigouroux, [Ethan] Galbraith & [Zan] Vipotnik have been positives throughout the season as well. However, the same problems remain where we are decent in the middle part of the pitch but still weak in both 18 yard boxes.

Alan: Lacking good link-up up front. How [Ben] Cabango and [Liam] Cullen are in the Welsh squad beats me - not good enough, we can't defend and can't finish chances.

Dan: 3-0 at half-time would read, to those on the outside, that Coventry were the typical top of the league side dominating the team in mid-table. However, as regular attendees at the Swansea.com will know, if we had capable wingers, and could take our chances, the game could have panned out very differently. Same old story

Nigel: There is a dire need to get wide players whom provide consistent quality, skill and pace. Defensively we need a commander-in-chief coach, to eradicate the many errors we consistently make.

Gethin: Unfortunate result, we had two chances off the woodwork but sadly our central defenders are not up to scratch to push up the league. If we want to return to the Premier League we need to improve our defence as at this moment there are far too many mistakes in them.

Clare: As it is unlikely Swansea City will make the playoffs now, I would like to see some of the youngsters given some game time, along with the players not regularly playing. Looking forward to seeing our loan players returning in the summer and hopefully will be given a chance next season.

Richard: The answer is easy, the Swans have to score more goals.

Image source, BBC Sport

Saturday's 3-0 defeat by table toppers Coventry brought an end to Swansea City's impressive home form in the Championship.

Prior to the visit of Frank Lampard's Sky Blues, the Swans managed a run of 10 games at the Swansea.Com Stadium without defeat.

But they have now slipped to 14th in the table, 11 points adrift of the play-off places.

A mid-table finish now looks certain, but with just seven games to go, what do you want to see from Vitor Matos' side? What improvements do you think they can make to ensure their season does not fizzle out.

We want to hear your views.

Let us know what you think by clicking here.

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Vitor Matos says his side must develop the kind of clinical edge which allowed Coventry City to ease to victory at Swansea City.

Matos' team went toe to toe with the Championship leaders for 45 minutes but found themselves 3-0 down at the break.

While Josh Tymon and Melker Widell hit the woodwork – and Goncalo Franco headed wide from point-blank range – Coventry took the game away from Swansea with three goals in 11 minutes late in the first period.

"That's why Coventry is top of the league and that's why we are in the position we are," said Swansea head coach Matos.

"That's why we need to keep pushing ourselves. They are clinical, they have the mental focus in these kind of situations.

"That's something you can improve, that's something you can get, that's something we need to do."

Though Swansea never looked like mounting a comeback after the break, they came close again late on as Widell had a header saved and Zan Vipotnik sliced wastefully wide.

Matos says it is his job to ensure Swansea, who seem certain to finish this season in mid-table, look to progress in 2026-27.

"We can always develop," he added.

"And if you don't develop, it's my fault, so that's what it is.

"It's 3-0 - there's nothing we can say, lose the game 3-0, done. You could have scored, yes, but we didn't and we need to improve."

Swansea now have a 13-day break before returning to action with a trip to Sheffield United.

They expect Tymon to be fit to face the Blades after he left the field late on against Coventry complaining of dizziness, but Josh Key faces further assessment on a hip injury after sitting out the Sky Blues defeat.

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Vitor Matos says Swansea City must deliver a stellar performance if they are to maintain their fine home form when they face Coventry City on Saturday (17:15 GMT).

The Sky Blues, who are seven points clear at the top of the table, come to Wales looking to take another step towards promotion to the Premier League.

Frank Lampard's team will also be looking for a response having seen a six-game winning streak come to an end when they were beaten at home by Southampton last weekend.

Mid-table Swansea, meanwhile, are hoping to extend a 10-match league unbeaten run on their own patch as they tackle a Coventry side Matos believes deservedly lead the way in the Championship.

"Coventry is a really good team, a lot of strengths, speed in the wings, good finishers in the attack, good players in the middle, organised offensively and defensively," the Swansea head coach said.

"We need to have a game with character, a game with personality, a game where we want to impose our way of playing and where we'll need to have, let's say in the not so good moments of the game, the proper mentality.

"[We need to] survive in that moment, without losing the organisation, without losing the concentration and then try to hurt them because that's what it will be about."

Coventry beat Swansea narrowly on 26 December before enduring their worst run of a largely impressive season in January.

But they responded by claiming 19 points from a possible 21 before suffering a first defeat since 31 January against the Saints.

"It's a team who deserves to be in the position they are," Matos added.

"We will be there to compete and to show they are the kind of team we want to compete with and to show the best version of ourselves."

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Vitor Matos says he does not understand the notion that Swansea City's season could fizzle out after demanding that his team compete for "the badge" right through until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

With eight games of the Championship campaign remaining, Swansea look destined to finish somewhere in mid-table.

The Welsh side are currently 11th, eight points adrift of the top six and 13 clear of the bottom three, as they prepare to host leaders Coventry City on Saturday (17:15 GMT).

But regardless of Swansea's league position, head coach Matos says he will not allow players to ease off.

"If we want to build a culture, we need to build a culture with the right values and for me, the right value in sports is that you need to compete in each game," he said.

"From each game, you need to squeeze the best out of it. From each season, you need to squeeze the best out of it and not accept or just walk through the season.

"The badge and this club needs to have a commitment to winning and that commitment needs to be in every game and in every situation."

Swansea have some challenging fixtures remaining, with second-placed Middlesbrough and Southampton, who are sixth, coming to south Wales after Coventry.

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Matos' side also have some tricky away games remaining, at the likes of Sheffield United and Norwich City.

With 52 points on the board, Swansea are not completely out of play-off contention, though it would take an extraordinary run to give them a top-six chance come their final-day home game against Charlton Athletic.

Matos, who is in his first season as a manager, says Swansea's place in the table cannot be allowed to affect their mindset.

"It's eight games [remaining], then it'll be seven, six, then it'll be just one. We will have exactly the same mentality on that one," he added.

"The message and the mentality is that you need to push yourself to squeeze everything out of the season.

"If it's a 10th place [finish], if it's a 15th, if it's a sixth place, we will see. But when it's closer to that point, then we can speak about it.

"Until then we go each game by each game and then in the end we will see what position we have."

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Josh Key is battling to prove his fitness for Swansea City's Championship meeting with leaders Coventry City on Saturday (17:15 GMT).

Key has recently reclaimed his starting spot at right-back after a difficult season in which he has had to be content with a back-up role at times.

But the 26-year-old is a doubt for the Sky Blues' visit to Wales after picking up a hip problem in Swansea's defeat at Wrexham last Friday.

"Josh had a knock against Wrexham so let's see if he will be available or not," said Swansea boss Vitor Matos.

"We still have one session [to come]. He did part of the sessions [this week] but we still need to see."

Adam Idah is poised to return to Swansea's squad after a long injury lay-off this weekend, meaning Zeidane Inoussa is the only definite absentee.

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After their promotion rivals slog it out earlier in the day, Coventry have the chance to tighten their grip on top spot as they head to Swansea on Saturday evening (17:15 GMT).

The Sky Blues go into the weekend with a seven-point lead in the Championship title race and a nine-point cushion in the quest for automatic promotion, with eight games to play.

They will seek to bounce back from last Saturday's home defeat to Southampton on the road at Swansea, who just about remain on the fringes of the play-off race.

The Swans went down 2-0 at Wrexham last Friday, their third defeat in four on the road, but their home form is in stark contrast and, depending on results elsewhere, a fifth win in six in front of their own fans could haul them within five points of the top-six.

• Swansea have lost their past two league games against Coventry – they last lost three in a row against them in a run of five between 1938 and 1947.

• After a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture this season, Coventry can do the league double over Swansea for the first time since 1946-47, also in the second tier.

• Since the start of December 2025, no team have won more points in Championship home games than Swansea (26 – level with Ipswich), going unbeaten in all 10 in this period (W8 D2).

• Coventry lost at home to Southampton last time out, while they have only suffered back-to-back defeats in the Championship once across their past 38 matches (January this year, v Norwich and QPR).

• Zan Vipotnik has been directly involved in 19 goals in the Championship this season (17 goals, 2 assists), with Joel Piroe in 2022-23 (21) the last Swansea player to reach 20+ in a league campaign.

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Adam Idah has been called up for Republic of Ireland's World Cup play-offs despite not playing for Swansea City since December.

Idah has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury but could make his Championship return when Swansea host Coventry City on Saturday (17:15 GMT).

The 25-year-old will then head off on international duty, with the Republic of Ireland facing the Czech Republic in Prague in the play-off semi-final on Thursday, 26 March.

Should they win that game, Heimir Hallgrimsson's team will face either Denmark or North Macedonia in Dublin five days later with a place at the World Cup up for grabs.

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Michael Duff savoured his return to south Wales having lost on his previous visit to the Cardiff City Stadium when in charge at Swansea City.

Duff's Swansea side were jeered by the travelling fans after a 2-0 loss in the Welsh capital in September 2023.

The visitors' miserable display that day was one of the lowest points during Duff's disappointing spell as Swans boss.

But it was a different story for the former Burnley defender on Tuesday as his Wycombe Wanderers team beat the Bluebirds 2-0.

"It's fair to say I enjoyed this one a little bit more than the last time I was here," Duff said.

"I got stuck in the car park last time as well… Cardiff is a big football club and I have a lot of respect for them."

Wycombe's victory saw second-placed Cardiff lose ground on League One leaders Lincoln City.

The Chairboys, meanwhile, are two points outside the play-off places in ninth after late goals from Andre Vidigal and Cauley Woodrow sealed victory over a Cardiff side who had Gabriel Osho sent off before half-time.

"They are a good team and even with 10 men they hurt you," Duff added.

"The wingers are very good and the runs they make from midfield - I think Ryan Wintle is the best midfielder in the league – they can hurt you in lots of different ways.

"If it had ended up at 0-0 playing against 10 men I would still have respected that point because they are so good at what they do.

"The encouraging thing is [Wycombe] have come to one of the best two teams in the league, a huge football club, and competed really well and overall deserved to win."

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Vitor Matos has welcomed the return of Adam Idah as the £6m striker closes in on an end to his three-month injury lay-off.

Idah has not played since suffering a hamstring injury in training over Christmas.

But the 25-year-old could play some part when Swansea host Championship leaders Coventry City on Saturday (17:15 GMT).

"I'm really happy that he's back," Matos said.

"He adds quality to the squad, a different kind of profile. Now it's about getting ready for the upcoming weeks and being available."

Idah became the most expensive signing ever made by Swansea as an EFL club when he arrived from Celtic last September.

However, prior to his injury, Idah largely operated as a back-up to in-form Swansea striker Zan Vipotnik, who is the leading scorer in the second tier.

Idah has made 18 Swansea appearances to date – including only five league starts – and has scored three goals for the Welsh club.

In Idah's absence, Liam Cullen and Melker Widell have offered Matos alternatives up front.

But Swansea will have fingers crossed that former Norwich youngster Idah can end what has a been a tricky first season at the club with something of a flourish.

With eight games remaining in 2025-26, the Swans are 11th in the second tier, eight points adrift of the top six.

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There have been plenty of contentious decisions in the 2025-26 Championship season so far.

Offside goals given, perfectly good goals ruled out, red card offences missed, penalties not given, dubious spot-kicks awarded. You name it.

With the video assistant referee (VAR) only used for the play-off final, the outcome of every second-tier game in the regular season can hinge on how on-field officials see incidents in real time.

• Would you want VAR introduced for every league game in the Championship?

• If so, why?

• And if not, let us know your reasons.

You can share your thoughts on VAR here or comment below, and we will publish a follow-up article soon with a selection of your responses.