Russell Martin identifies what Swansea City really need in transfer window as boss gives Birmingham City team news

Russell Martin admits Swansea City need to recruit a number of "specialists" in the summer in a bid to strengthen the squad ahead of his second campaign at the club.

The head coach has regularly stated his desire to be firmly active in the upcoming transfer window as the Swans bid to launch a serious challenge on the Championship's play-off places in the 2022/23 season.

And while further recruits are needed, Martin believes those who have experienced the highs and lows of the current campaign will be better off next time around.

"The young men we have will have learnt a lot this season, they’ll be hugely improved from the challenges we’ve faced," he said.

"We need more depth. The answer from some people is that we have a lot of players out on loan. It’s because we deemed that they wouldn’t be able to help us a huge amount. When we have had a consistent XI on the pitch, we’ve been able to build momentum, but we haven’t been able to do it often enough. Injury, covid, suspension, people not being fully fit and then having to rest them. That’s been the challenge for us.

"When we have had the chance to be consistent with the starting XI, I think we can match anyone on our day. I think we need a bit more depth next season and we need a couple of specialists in certain areas. We really believe that we’re moving in the right direction, the wheels are turning. Now we just need to help that by finishing strongly, learning as much as we can between now and the end of the season and seeing how we can improve for next season."

Swansea are bidding to follow up their hard-fought 3-2 triumph over Peterborough United by beating Birmingham City on home soil this weekend. The Swans have no fresh injury concerns from that dramatic victory