Swansea City fans could be forgiven for getting a little excited after the recruitment of new loan signing Charlie Patino from Arsenal. The 19-year-old hardly pulled up any trees in terms of results when he was sent out to Blackpool – who were relegated last season – but the devil is in the detail.

Michael Duff has revealed Swansea City are in talks with star striker Joel Piroe over extending his stay with the club. The Dutchman is out of contract next summer and gave head coach Duff a first-hand look at what he can do by scoring two of his side’s goals in a 3-0 demolition of League One side Northampton in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

The four Welsh clubs in Football League action last weekend are going to have to get used to a heavier match-day schedule this season. Cardiff City, Swansea City, Newport County and Wrexham all found their games went well over the 90-minute mark as new guidelines on added time and player behaviour were enforced by officials.

Carl Rushworth has the building blocks to become a wall of defiance in the Premier League , according to Swansea City head coach Michael Duff. Rushworth was thrown in for his debut for the Swans and recovered from a shaky start to ensure his team earned a 1-1 draw from their opening Championship match of the season at home to Birmingham City. Duff moved for Rushworth earlier in the week in a loan move to help solve something of a problem position for the club over the past couple of seasons.

Like the fresh paint on the touchline dug-outs, you can almost smell the optimism at football clubs at this time of year. Last season’s problems have been forgotten – almost – new faces have arrived, and most players have that two-weeks-in-Ibiza healthy summer glow.

Swansea City head coach Michael Duff has revealed he gained a glowing report from England defender Kieran Trippier before moving for Newcastle United’s Harrison Ashby. Ashby will finalise a loan move on Friday and the Magpies’ wing-back is in line to make his debut for the Swans in their opening Championship match of the season at home to Birmingham City on Saturday.

New Swansea City signing Carl Rushworth insists he was ready for the step up to the Championship after he joined the club, alongside striker Mykola Kukharevych. Brighton goalkeeper Rushworth has moved on a season-long loan, following his loan spell at League One side Lincoln City last season, where he played 46 games.

The summer-long saga around the future of Joel Piroe has taken another twist with some reports now suggesting the Dutchman will commit to one final season with Swansea City, where he will run down the final year of his contract. Swansea are believed to be seeking a £15 million fee for Piroe whose future has been subject to intense speculation since the end of last season. It is now thought Piroe, who scored 19 goals in 43 league appearances last season, could remain in SA1 beyond the summer transfer window. 

Josh Ginnelly has spoken of his excitement about the opportunity to make an impact at Swansea City. The 26-year-old has become the Swans’ first signing under new head coach Michael Duff. His arrival comes as speculation still continues over the future of the club’s top scorer last season, Joel Piroe.

Swansea City boss Michael Duff has told his sporting director Paul Watson to sack him if he takes his new club to the play-offs next season. The only condition is that he gives him his job back a week later simply because he doesn’t want to jinx his side having twice fallen at the last hurdle at his previous clubs.

Michael Duff has admitted he has two different plans for Joel Piroe – and one involves re-building Swansea City without the Dutch striker. New Swans head coach Duff would like to hold on to the club’s biggest asset, but is realistic that the club will sell if they receive a tempting offer.

Former Swansea City boss Bob Bradley has been sacked as head coach and sporting director of Toronto FC, the Major League Soccer club have announced. Bradley – who was in charge of the Swans for a brief 85-day spell in the Premier League in 2016 – managed just three wins from 20 games with Toronto.