Daniel James is set to be unleashed against Belarus on Sunday after the Wales winger was considered too stressed for the friendly against Finland. Interim manager Robert Page left James out of the squad completely in Helsinki on Wednesday following his deadline-day transfer from Manchester United to Leeds. The winger rejoined the rest of the Wales party for the 0-0 draw in the Finnish capital after leaving camp on Tuesday to seal his move to Elland Road.

By Tom Prosser The most important piece of business Cardiff City could do on deadline day was to keep hold of Kieffer Moore- despite some late interest from Wolves the star striker remains a Bluebird but the same can not be said of Josh Murphy who has joined Preston on loan.   Murphy has failed to produce consistent performances since joining Cardiff in 2018 and with him being on “Premier League” wages, it is no surprise to see him leave the club. But, with no replacement Mick McCarthy’s side are now lacking depth in this area.

Brennan Johnson is hoping for success with Wales in vital World Cup qualifiers over the next few days – and another well done message from David Beckham. The 20-year-old Nottingham Forest midfielder has already received a clutch of congratulatory texts from England legend Beckham for his achievements at club level. Now, Johnson is hoping a first start for Wales in the friendly against Finland on Wednesday night – a match that is live on S4C – could prompt more virtual pats on the back over the next few days.

Rhys Williams had pledged to try and make a similar impact to Rhian Brewster as he starts his loan spell at Swansea City following a switch from Liverpool. Williams was one of two signings made by the Swans on another chaotic transfer deadline day for the club as four players departed. The central defender arrived on loan from Anfield – following the path taken by striker Brewster two seasons ago – while striker Michael Obafemi, a 21-year-old on the fringes of the Saints’ first team, was bought for £2m.

By Tom Prosser Newport County have completed the signing of midfielder Ollie Cooper on a season-long loan deal from Swansea City. The winger becomes County’s 14th addition of the summer transfer window and has penned a contract until the end of the 2021/22 campaign, with Swansea having the option to recall him in January. He is the son of Kevin Cooper who played for the likes of Cardiff and Wolves before a spell at Newport County during the 2008-09 season.

Dan James is set to complete a deadline day move to Leeds from Manchester United after the two clubs agreed a £25m fee. The Wales striker will have a medical today before flying out to Finland with the rest of the Wales squad for the international friendly. Wales then have two World Cup qualifiers against Belarus and Estonia, in which James is likely to feature before he joins his new squad at Elland Road.

Rob Page’s prediction that Wales’ trip to the Russian city of Kazan to play Belarus in their World Cup qualifier would be “a nightmare” appears to becoming a reality. As well as the withdrawl of four players through injury – including Aaron Ramsey – the Wales caretaker manager has also been denied three players because of visa problems. The FAW have said in a statement that Ethan Ampadu, Tyler Roberts and Brandon Cooper will all miss Sunday’s game in Russia die to problems getting their visa approved in time.

Russell Martin slammed an unacceptable display after Swansea City let an early lead slip in a 3-1 defeat at Preston. Joel Piroe’s neat finish put Martin’s men ahead in the 19th minute but their advantage was quickly cancelled out by Liverpool loanee Sepp van den Berg. Emil Riis gave North End the lead in the dying seconds of the first half before Ben Whiteman’s 52nd-minute free-kick settled the outcome.

Mick McCarthy insists Kieffer Moore has not had his head turned by rumours of a move from Cardiff City. Moore has continued to be linked with a transfer to Wolves but with the window due to close on Tuesday night, manager MCarthy insists there has been no official interest in his Wales striker. McCarthy said: “I don’t think the talk about potential transfer moves is affecting him at all.

Exactly 40 years ago this weekend, Swansea City played their opening match of the 1981-82 season – their first in the top flight after decades in the lower divisions. The 5-1 victory over Leeds United was one of the greatest days in the club’s history and a young Owen Morgan was there to see it. On April 23, 1975, a triumphant Leeds United team celebrated on the pitch at a packed Nou Camp Stadium having booked their place in the European Cup final. Billy Bremner, Joe Jordan, Peter Lorimer and all had just drawn 1-1 with a Barcelona team boasting the likes of Dutch legends Johann Cruyff and Johan Neeskens in front of 110,000 fans.

By Paul Jones Wayne Hatswell insists Newport County will quickly put their heavy defeat to Southampton behind them, as they now aim to claim successive league away wins when they take on Salford on Saturday. The Exiles who lost 8-0 to a ruthless Southampton team, welcomed a full crowd back to Rodney Parade on Wednesday evening for the first time since the pandemic began. Hatswell will also take charge of the side on Saturday before Michael Flynn returns from his coronavirus isolation next week.

By Paul Jones  Swansea manager Russell Martin says Morgan Whittaker has “done himself the world of good” as he claimed a second-half hat-trick to propel the Swans to a 4-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday. Daniel Williams put the Swans ahead early on before Rhys Shirley equalised for the visitors, but three goals in the space of 12 minutes from Whittaker fired Swansea into the last 32 of the Carabao Cup. “He’s (Whittaker) playing in a role that’s a bit different for him, as a lot of the guys are,” explained Martin.

Mick McCarthy is fearful of a transfer “bombshell” dropping on Cardiff City in the last stages of the transfer window as the club tries to cling on to Kieffer Moore. Wales striker Moore has been linked with moves elsewhere throughout the summer with Wolves reported to be still considering a £7m bid But with only six days remaining until the window closes, Bluebirds manager McCarthy has warned that any sale of his prize asset would be a major blow if it left the club with insufficient time to find a suitable replacement for a player who scored 24 goals last season.

Gareth Bale has answered questions over his future with Wales by the strength of his comeback at Real Madrid, says Robert Page. Bale will lead Wales into World Cup action, charged by the “positive impact” on his Real return, according to his national manager. The striker was the subject of fierce retirement rumours ahead of Euro 2020 this summer but said after Wales’ round-of-16 defeat to Denmark that he would never end his international career as long as he is playing football.

Kyle Naughton and Ryan Bennett are both in line for their Swansea City comebacks on Tuesday night after recovering from coronavirus. The defenders have missed the three recent league matches against Sheffield United, Stoke City and Bristol City after contracting Covid-19, even though they were both fit to play in the season opener at Blackburn. They were part of a large number of players in the Football League and Premier League who tested positive after the season had started – sparking a debate about just how many players at top clubs had declined to be vaccinated.

By Tom Prosser  Cardiff City can’t stop scoring headers so far this season and they will be hoping the ariel threat of Aden Flint, Sean Morrison and Kieffer Moore will help them to victory over Premier League Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. Incredibly, all eight of Cardiff’s league goals this season have been headers. This will not come as a surprise to the footballing community, as the Bluebirds top the most goals from set-piece’s leaderboard on an almost yearly basis.

By Tom Prosser Newport County coach Wayne Hatswell says the Exiles have a big week ahead of them as they look to get back to winning ways against Tranmere on Saturday before hosting Premier League Southampton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. The assistant manager is on stand by to take charge of the team this weekend as Michael Flynn is currently awaiting the results of a coronavirus test after having symptoms in the recent days.

By Tom Prosser Cardiff City manager Mick McCarthy is delighted with the character and team spirit his team have shown during his reign so far. The Bluebirds have only lost three of their 26 matches under McCarthy and they will be hoping to continue that run when they take on Millwall at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday. “It’s a real benefit knowing we’ve got resilience and that willingness to fight for each other, particularly in this division because it’s a tough old league,” explained McCarthy.

By Rob Cole Jamie Paterson is urging Swansea City fans to embrace the playing philosophy new manager Russell Martin is introducing at the club and to stay patient. Martin has been in Wales for less than a month and has already seen his team lose twice and draw once in the Championship. Tonight (Friday) they head across the Severn Bridge to face Paterson’s old club Bristol City. Paterson scored on his Swansea debut in a 2-1 defeat at Blackburn and then featured in the goalless draw at home to Sheffield United and the 3-1 midweek defeat to Stoke City at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Wales manager Robert Page has added former Rotherham and Scunthorpe boss Alan Knill to his coaching staff for the rest of their World Cup qualifying campaign. Knill, 56, replaces Arsenal coach Albert Stuivenberg on the backroom team after the Dutchman left the role following Euro 2020. Page said: “I am delighted that Alan is joining us for the remainder of the World Cup qualifying campaign.