Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ian Mitchelmore

Rangers rejection, strained relations and what happens next for Swansea City's Morgan Whittaker and Jamie Paterson

Swansea City's full focus now lies on Saturday's Championship clash with Birmingham City following what was a mess of a January transfer window.

A total of six players left the club last month while the only incoming was the premature recall of Morgan Whittaker from his loan spell with Plymouth Argyle.

It means Whittaker will now remain at the Swansea.com Stadium for the rest of the season along with Jamie Paterson who was unable to find a new club in the opening month of 2023 after being told he could leave the Swans.

READ MORE: Endless missed targets and another deadline day mess: Inside Swansea City's shambolic January transfer window

Russell Martin named the same XI in the Swans' previous two Championship matches against Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers.

Given the knee injury Steven Benda sustained at QPR last time out, Andy Fisher should start in between the sticks when the Swans return to action at the weekend following a fortnight without a fixture.

But there's every chance that the same, or, at least the vast majority of the outfield players who started at the Stadium of Light and Loftus Road will be deployed from the outset once again this weekend as a result of the lack of incomings.

It will be telling to see who features on the bench.

Whittaker - the subject of interest from Rangers in January - enjoyed a fine stint with Plymouth, scoring nine goals and racking up seven assists in League One before returning to south Wales. Swansea rejected three bids for the youngster and he was left out of matchdays squads while speculation swirled last month.

Operating from a deeper role similar to that of Joel Piroe in the second half of last season, Whittaker is a man who can supplement the frontline - or does Martin change his system to accommodate the 22-year-old?

And what about Paterson? An experienced player who showed in the opening months of his Swans career what he was all about. Guile, creativity, goals and assists, traits we've seen precious little of since his contract dispute with the club's owners a year ago.

Swansea's lack of depth in certain areas showed in January, and they could really do with strong contributions from both Whittaker and Paterson between now and the summer. Liam Walsh is also edging ever closer to a return to action following a lengthy spell on the sidelined owing to an Achilles injury which will come as a welcome boost.

Only four points separate the Swans and the Championship's play-off places following the conclusion of what represents a major missed opportunity in the transfer market for the club.

Head coach Martin will no doubt publicly give more clarity on the futures of Whittaker and Paterson when he faces the media at Fairwood ahead of the clash with Birmingham.

For now, the Jack Army can only hope both players are ready to knuckle down and play a part in keeping Swansea in the top-six mix.

READ MORE:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.