Sunderland vs Swansea

Preview by mirror co uk

Striker Danny Graham has asked to quit Swansea – with Sunderland ready to complete a £5.5million transfer.
The North East-born star told Michael Laudrup he wants out for “personal reasons” last night, hours after the Swansea chief insisted Graham could stay.

The 27-year-old from Gateshead has yet to submit a formal transfer request but his intervention is likely to force the issue – with Swansea and Sunderland executives meeting tonight ahead of the side’s clash at the Stadium of Light.

Graham is set on a move back north to Sunderland, despite having been a Newcastle fan, and Black Cats manager Martin O’Neill is ­desperate to land him, fearing for his side if top-scorer Steven Fletcher got injured.
But the Welsh club last night insisted that Graham was still in the squad to face Sunderland and could play against them.
Laudrup said yesterday afternoon: “We’ve had some offers for him. When there is a bid, and if that bid is not even close to what the club wants, then there’s nothing to do. Even if the player wants to leave, he has to stay.
“I haven’t read anything official, or in any newspaper or on television, where Danny has said he wants to leave. That means he must want to stay and probably he will.”
But last night Graham leaked his desire for a move, contradicting his boss’s earlier statement.
Stoke also want Graham and may offer Kenwyne Jones as part of the deal.

Wayne's world: In-form Routledge will stay at Swansea until 2016

Ben Hoskins

 Meanwhile, Laudrup is celebrating after winger Wayne Routledge became the latest star name to agree a new long-term contract at Swansea.
A pay rise will see Routledge stay until the summer of 2016 – and is reward for his excellent form since Laudrup took over as boss in the summer.
The 28-year-old former Aston Villa, QPR and Newcastle wide man has been a regular starter this season, scoring five goals and revelling in the freedom he has been afforded by Laudrup.
Top-scorer Michu, Michel Vorm, Ashley Williams, Neil Taylor and Ben Davies have all signed new deals at the Liberty Stadium in recent months.