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Ian Mitchelmore

Swansea City news as boss reveals stance on Crystal Palace transfer target and Reading to receive injury boosts

Your Swansea City headlines on Wednesday, December 21.

Hull boss confirms stance on Ebiowei

Liam Rosenior says Crystal Palace attacker Malcolm Ebiowei is firmly in Hull City's thoughts ahead of the January transfer window.

The Tigers are keen to sign the 19-year-old on loan next month, although Swansea City have also been credited with showing an interest in the winger.

But Rosenior - who worked with Ebiowei at Derby County - says the ball remains firmly in Crystal Palace's court ahead of the winter window.

READ MORE: Russell Martin's Swansea City team selection has never been so important as starting XI in spotlight for Reading

"Things are going really well, we're really clear on the areas we need to strengthen and what we're looking for," he told the Yorkshire Post.

"The top targets I have in each position look really good for us at the moment, and we'll keep working on them.

"He's (Ebiowei) one of a few people we're looking at. It's up to Crystal Palace as his parent club what they do with him. He's in our thoughts as many people are at the moment, but there's nothing concrete right now."

Royals expecting several injury boosts

Reading could be boosted by the return of up to four players for their clash with Swansea City after Christmas.

The Royals host the Swans at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on December 27, and they could welcome back Scott Dann to their squad. The experienced defender is yet to feature for Reading this season owing to a hamstring problem but is close to returning to action.

Meanwhile, Paul Ince has suggested that Sam Hutchinson could be available for the clash with the Swans following a spell on the sidelines with a calf issue while attacker Femi Azeez and defender Tom Holmes also look set to be involved.

Centre-back Liam Moore remains absent due to a knee injury.

'Mentality' key to improvement

Russell Martin says the mentality of his players will be key to Swansea's ambitions of improving their form.

The Swans are winless in their last seven games but still remain within striking distance of the Championship's play-off places thanks largely to their ability to collect points from losing positions this season.

And Martin admits formations, tactics and playing style can swiftly be rendered irrelevant if his players do not possess the right mentality from the outset of matches.

“We have been given a really healthy question to answer when it comes to picking the team for the next game,” he said.

“But, the fact remains, whoever plays, whatever the team is, it has to have the right mentality.

“If you look at this run we have been on over the last seven games, we have drawn five of them because we have given away the first goal in a soft fashion. It cannot keep happening.

“That all comes down to mentality, that is not about form, that is not about formation, that is not about style, that is not about tactics.

“We have a young group who need to learn that very quickly, that you have to pay attention and have the right focus on the detail irrespective of the situation in the game."

Kick-off against Reading is at 5:15pm on Tuesday, December 27.

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