It’s now three goals in two games for Swansea City’s Liam Cullen – albeit over a three-month period. The 21-year-old returned to the Swansea squad for the first time at the weekend since scoring twice in the FA Cup win against Nottingham Forest on January 24th, a tie which also saw him limp off late on with an ankle injury. It initially appeared he would play no further part in the 2020/21 campaign, but after just two first team training sessions, his place among the substitutes came somewhat ahead of schedule.

Liam Cullen could make a shock return to assist with Swansea City’s final push for promotion. The Wales U21 striker was thought to have been ruled out for the season when he injured ankle ligaments back in January. But Cullen – who was just beginning to build a case for regular inclusion in the Swans’ starting line-up before he was sidelined – has made rapid progress that puts his return to fitness ahead of schedule.

Wales host Mexico in a friendly on Saturday night, before their second World Cup qualifier at home to the Czech Republic on Tuesday. Then, it’s a friendly against Albania, the finals of the Euros, and more World Cup qualifiers in September. Little wonder, says Jack Hammett, that recent youngsters from the Wales U21 squad could soon start filling the gaps. With the Euros fast approaching and World Cup qualifiers taking place amongst an already packed calendar, the Wales squad needs to be bigger and fresher than it has ever been. Experienced squad members like Gareth Bale, Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey have had issues with fitness and injuries this season, and although the trio is more than likely to feature when fit there may be a need for a few younger faces to assuage the fears about squad depth and fatigue.

Steve Cooper admitted Swansea City had scraped and scuffed their way to a messy 1-0 at home to Rotherham but was still ecstatic. It takes all sorts – and all types of victories – to assemble a promotion-winning season and the Swans manager was quick to suggest this was the type of win that may have eluded his team in the past. After all, it had been three years since Swansea had last won in their return game back after an international break.