Swansea City headlines as Bristol City demand made, boss back after surgery and Swans favourite sought counselling

These are your Swansea City headlines on Thursday, February 10.

Head coach Russell Martin has demand an immediate reaction when his side face Bristol City on Sunday.

The 3-0 defeat to Stoke City on Tuesday night fell well below the standards Martin expects of his players, with the 36-year-old hinting that one or two weren't fit enough for his brand of football.

He has urged his players to dig deep in front of their own fans at the weekend.

“It was a tough night after the elation we experienced on Saturday against Blackburn,” he said.

“We are better than that, we know we are capable of being miles better than that and we will need to be on Sunday.

“We have to have more energy about us, because it is hurtful to perform like that.

“But, as I’ve said before, I believe we have a great group of players here with plenty of character.

“They have shown that and hopefully we will recover well and get prepared and ready.

“We know it will be a great atmosphere on Sunday, it is an important game given the locality of the teams.

“We are back at home, and it is important for us to bounce back.”

Bristol City boss Nigel Pearson is set to return to the Robins' dugout for the trip to Swansea.

The manager missed the clash with Reading after undergoing a "scheduled routine medical procedure".

“I would like to thank everyone at the football club for their support,” Pearson said before the clash with the Royals.

“I wish Curtis, the staff and the players all the best for today’s game and look forward to returning to work as soon as possible.”

It is the fourth fixture the manager has missed this term. He was forced to miss the games against Peterborough and Millwall with Covid and then against Coventry with a "Covid-related condition".

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