Your Swansea City headlines on Friday, April 14.
Martin's Wood hope
Russell Martin has urged Swansea City's owners to tie Nathan Wood down to a longer contract at the club.
The defender joined the Swans from Middlesbrough on a two-year deal last summer, meaning he is already close to entering the final 12 months of his contract, although the club do hold the option to extend it by a season.
Nevertheless, such has been Wood's rise in his debut season at the Swansea.com Stadium, head coach Martin feels the England Under-21 international deserves to be fully rewarded with a longer term contract.
"When we have really talented and promising young players, when they play really well you have to reward them otherwise you run the risk of losing them sooner than you should," explained Martin.
"You run the risk of not getting as much money as you should for them if they end up getting sold. Once things become clearer in the next few weeks, Woody is someone we need to have a look at, for sure.
"I'm not convinced that it's just taking his option up. If we're going to be really top in the way we operate, then it's about rewarding players like we did with Ollie Cooper and Jay Fulton who have done really well and trying to tie them down to the big picture and the long-term project.
"Woody has everything, and you can see that in the way he's grown. I absolutely love the boy as a player and as a person. He's amazing."
Pundit's Piroe transfer expectation
Iwan Roberts expects Swansea City to receive plenty of transfer interest in Joel Piroe this summer.
The Dutchman has enjoyed another prolific campaign in south Wales, with his tally of 16 league goals being the fifth-best in the Championship this term.
Piroe's brace at Wigan Athletic saw him pass the 40-goal mark in all competitions since he joined the Swans from PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2021. And ex-Wales striker Roberts believes the Swans will have a fight on their hands when it comes to keeping hold of the 23-year-old.
"16 league goals now in 38 games," he said on EJFOF. "He got 22 last season. 38 Championship goals in 83 appearances. That is top class from Joel Piroe, for a young lad who has only been here for two years.
"There's going to be some teams knocking on the door for his services in the summer."
Speaking on the same podcast, former Wales defender Danny Gabbidon admitted he was surprised Piroe wasn't poached last summer following his 24-goal debut season with Swansea.
"I think every summer's an interesting one for Swansea because you just don't know, your manager could possibly go, your better players could possibly go, then you're thinking about who's going to come in," said Gabbidon.
"Piroe there, I'm surprised no one came in for him at the start of this season after the first season. They did well keeping hold of him."
Cabango's Cardiff delight
Ben Cabango admits he was left feeling numb after scoring a dramatic winner for Swansea City against Cardiff City earlier this month.
Jaden Philogene and Sory Kaba cancelled out efforts from Joel Piroe and Liam Cullen as the Bluebirds appeared destined to have salvaged a point against the Swans at Cardiff City Stadium on April 1.
But Cabango - who also netted in the 4-0 success against Cardiff last season - rifled home from close range in the 99th minute to earn Swansea a fourth successive victory over their local rivals.
"It was a good day and a good night. It was just the best way we could ever beat Cardiff," said Cabango.
"When I scored, I don't think anyone knew who scored. Everyone just ran to the corner like they'd scored.
"Thinking back to the moment, it was so good. When it went in, I was just numb. I ran to the corner and there were just limbs everywhere. It was unbelievable.
"I completely lost it. I looked behind me and I saw all of the bench running on to the pitch. It's the best feeling I've ever had in football."
READ MORE: 'I lost myself' – Russell Martin reveals depths he plunged to during Swansea City's barren run
Huddersfield team news
Swansea City have no fresh injury concerns ahead of their Championship clash with Huddersfield Town.
Liam Walsh is set to return to the matchday squad having been rested for Monday's 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium.
And while Walsh, Joe Allen and Jamie Paterson are all being carefully monitored given their lack of game time over recent months, Russell Martin says he will rotate his squad as required during the Swans' run-in.
“Everyone is fit, although we have got to keep an eye on Walshy as he has not played much recently and we have three games in a week,” said the Swans boss.
“Pato had not started for a long time, and he had a few niggles after the game the other day which is not what you want.
“Joe Allen had his first start for a while, and we have to be mindful that we play Preston on Wednesday and then have a long journey to Norwich.
“With a three-game week we have to be mindful of that, but everyone else is raring to go and hopefully we can get another good result on Saturday.”
READ NEXT:
'I lost myself' – Russell Martin reveals depths he plunged to during Swansea City's barren run
What Russell Martin's 'huge' summer rebuild may look like as Swansea City squad shake-up expected
Martin says strong finish will boost transfer prospects, Fisher's pain and Walsh absence explained
Swansea City receive fresh seven-figure cash injection as owners boost club coffers
