Swansea City loan signing Brian Cash opens his Football League account tomorrow hoping to inspire his adopted side to a first win in 11 matches.

Vetch Field boss Brian Flynn will hand the 19-year-old Nottingham Forest winger his first senior start after a one-month loan deal was completed yesterday.

And Cash, who has six substitute appearances to his credit at the City Ground, is relishing the chance to try his luck in the Nationwide League.

''I'm delighted to be here and hopefully I can get a few games under my belt and do well for Swansea City,'' said the Dubliner.

''In a way I guess it's a bit of a daunting prospect coming from the First Division down to the bottom of the Third, but the way I'm looking at is that it's an opportunity to play first-team football.

''Hopefully, I'll get some experience - which I haven't had a lot of at Forest - and at the same time be able to help the team.

''If I can do well for Swansea, then when I go back to Forest perhaps the manager will have it in his mind to play me in the first team.''

Already a Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, Cash is highly-rated at Forest having come through their increasingly productive youth academy.

He is building a reputation for pace and crossing ability, as well as a keen eye for goal.

''I have done all right at Forest,'' added the 5ft 9in wide man.

''I have been there for five years since coming over as a 15-year-old and have been with Paul Hart (Forest manager and former academy boss) all along.

''I was with him at under-17s, under-19s and now in the first team.

''I came in for training on Monday and he told me that he had spoken to Brian Flynn. He said Swansea wanted me to come on a month's loan and that was that.

''I don't know how long I'll be staying for, but I'm raring to start playing in the Third Division.''

Meanwhile, a former Swansea wide man, Jonathan Coates, is also looking to kick-start his career.

Coates, one of 10 players released by former boss Nick Cusack in the summer, has headed off to Whaddon Road for a trial with Second Division strugglers Cheltenham Town.

Robins boss Graham Allner invited the 27-year-old for trials and the midfielder has already made a name for himself in a Combination fixture against Barnet.

In a 6-0 win Coates scored one, set up another and hit the post with a free-kick.

Under-14s will be allowed free into tomorrow's match, if accompanied by an adult.

The offer is available in all parts of the Vetch except the Centre Stand with tickets available on the turnstiles.

Each paying adult can take on Under-14 in with them.

Brian Flynn is hoping Swansea City's new ''old-fashioned dribbler'' will provide the key to his first Vetch Field success when Southend come to South Wales tommorrow (3pm).

Director of football Flynn yesterday made Nottingham Forest's Brian Cash his first Swansea signing as he plots an escape from bottom spot in the Nationwide League.

And the speedy, teenage winger will go straight into Flynn's starting line-up as he seeks a first win in his fifth game in charge.

''Brian is part of the jigsaw we are trying to build,'' said the former Wrexham boss.

''The important thing with him is that when I inquired about him joining us, he jumped at the chance.

''He was not worried about our situation. He wanted to come and play League football and to help us out.

''He will give us another outlet by providing width, pace and crosses.

''Nothing against John Williams and Jon Keaveny, but they are not wide players and we were lacking out there.

''Brian is a natural wide player. He has good ability and likes to take people on. He's an old-fashioned dribbler.''

Cash will make his first Football League start alongside Steve Watkin and James Thomas in a 4-3-3 formation.

Added Flynn: ''We are getting tighter at the back, but we've got to improve our attacking and our service to the strikers.

''We have only conceded four goals in four matches, but we've only scored two, so we've got to get the onus on attacking. That's the turnaround I'm looking for.

''He's only young and he's not a saviour, but hopefully Brian's arrival will give us a lift.''

Lee Jenkins's likely return after a foot injury will also be a plus tomorrow, while Williams is back in contention after a thigh problem.

But Neil Sharp, Terry Evans and Gareth Phillips remain sidelined, while David Smith strained a calf in training this week and will not be considered.

Having replaced Evans at Oxford last weekend, Leigh De-Vulgt should keep his place at right-back against an in-form Southend side.

''It doesn't matter whether the sides we're playing are at the top or the bottom,'' added Flynn. We are just after that illusive first win because that will give everyone a massive boost.''

Roger Freestone should remember it well - Wales were playing Brazil at the Millennium Stadium and the band struck up the visitors' national anthem.

The paean to all things Brazilian was duly sung with gusto by Rivaldo, Cafu and Co. And then something remarkable happened.

The Welsh crowd, many of whom were schoolchildren, burst into a round of applause.

Football supporters acclaiming a rival country's anthem and showing respect, reverence almost. Truly, the evening of May 23, 2000, was something to behold.

Wales went on to lose 3-0, with Freestone making his debut in goal. None of the goals were his fault. Indeed, the Swansea City goalkeeper produced a performance of which he could be proud.

But it was the applauding of the Brazilian anthem that was the most significant event that night two years ago

It came to mind last weekend, when England played Slovakia in Bratislava before a crowd made up significantly of individuals who seemed to have crawled out of a sewer.

Home fans subjected Emile Heskey and Ashley Cole to merciless racist abuse, jeering the pair every time they got the ball.

Even the stretcher-bearersreportedly made grunting sounds at Heskey.

Now, I understand that a certain level of stick is expected when a side plays away. And I also hear what is said about Slovakians not having seen many non-whites.

But the same cannot be said about the Dutch fans who booed Thierry Henry and threw cigarette lighters, coins and bananas at him when PSV Eindhoven played Arsenal last month.

For the Henry episode, PSV were fined £13,000 - a piffling amount in the era of the £100,000-a-week footballer.

They should have been banned from Europe or had a suspended sentence imposed on them, just as Slovakia should have the book flung at them for the baiting of Heskey and Cole.

Apologists suggest that making a fuss will only antagonise and encourage the culprits.

Maybe. But if there are no European matches for them to watch then they can only trash each other and players from their own clubs. Grunting and banana-throwing might not seem so funny, then.

It might even help their education.

It might teach them that skin colour is not a major issue, that the Pink Panther was basically a nice guy, that Kermit is not necessarily an evil Muppet because he is green, that being yellow does not stop Homer Simpson being a top man.

There again, the Pink Panther and Kermit the Frog are probably a bit too much for dunderheads to cope with.

Which brings us nicely to the English 'fans' who fought, pretty unsuccessfully by all accounts, with Slovakian police last Saturday.

Not having been in the stadium at the time, I cannot say whether these people brought the trouble on themselves. Nor can I comment on whether the local constabulary were a touch heavy-handed.

But I can say that England's hooligan problem at national level is such that key figures on the Football Association would do well to avoid sounding too pious over the Slovakian shambles.

Talk to the Irish about England's fans. Memories in the Emerald Isle are still fresh after the rioting that broke up an international against England there in the 90s, when organised groups of fascists chanting 'No surrender to the IRA' were to the fore.

Ask John Barnes how he felt to be the target for racist poison when returning with the England squad from a South American tour in the '80s.

No doubt there are some bigots who attach themselves to clubs in Wales. They deserve to be treated with the same contempt shown to those of a similar ilk in other countries.

There is another way, of course. Brazil experienced it on their last visit to Wales.

But, until racists at football grounds learn differently, the authorities should ban their clubs and countries.

And if a policeman's truncheon comes down a tad too heavily on he head of a bigot, don't lose too much sleep.

Former Swansea City midfielder Jonathan Coates could become a target for Second Division strugglers Cheltenham town.

Coates has been without a club since being released by the Swans during the summer as part of a cost-cutting exercise, hainvg clocked up 250 appearances for the club. Former Wales B international Coates linked up with Oxford but his chances of earning a contract were hit when he broke his arm in pre-season.

Coates impressed Robins manager Graham Allner as he scored in an outing for Cheltenham's reserves on Wednesday. That may be enough to earn him a deal at Whaddon Road as Cheltenham look to haul themselves off the bottom of the table.

In the same reserve game, Allner also ran the rule over teenage QPR full-back Sam Scully.

Supermarket giant Morrisons plans to create 400 jobs in Swansea by signing up to the £70million Morfa Stadium scheme.

The Bradford-based retail chain is closer to sealing its move to the long-awaited development after revealing it wants to build an 85,000 sq ft store at the site.

A company spokeswoman today confirmed a planning application for the new store had been sent to Swansea Council. Morrisons is a major part of the commercial side of the 20,000-seater stadium project, the new home for the city's football and rugby clubs, which is hoped to be completed by its September, 2003 deadline.

The fact the store has still not signed up to the project has fuelled doubts that the stadium will be built to schedule.

A Morrisons spokeswoman said: ''We have submitted an application which gives details of what the store looks like. A store of that size would create 350 to 400 jobs.

''Obviously it all depends on council approval, but it is another sign this development is moving forward and it's another step in bringing it to fruition.''

Plans include parking spaces for 600 cars with a petrol station built nearby.

Should councillors give the go-ahead, it may be only a matter of time before Morrisons becomes the second anchor tenant at the Morfa site.

Leading DIY chain B and Q is the only company to commit to the project so far.

Council chiefs have always insisted the delivery of the stadium relies on the commercial aspects of the scheme.

The development includes eight shops and plans to build a health club.

The new stadium is seen as vital to the future of both clubs.

The Swans currently lie bottom of the Football League, while the Whites have suffered successive humiliations by Llanelli and Montferrand.

All a Swansea Council spokesman would say was: ''We can confirm we have received a planning application.''

Liberal Democrat leader Chris Holley said: ''Anyone who wants to bring 400 jobs to Swansea is more than welcome. It's the best piece of news Morfa has had for a long time and hopefully it will start things moving

Struggling Swansea City have signed Nottingham Forest winger Brian Cash on a month's loan. The 19-year-old is expected to arrive at the Vetch Field on Thursday and completed the deal.

He should be ready to make his full Nationwide League debut against Southend on Saturday. City boss Brian Flynn again watched the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international in action for Forest's reserves on Tuesday night.

Cash has made a handful of substitute appearances for the senior side since coming through the youth ranks at the City Ground. Flynn believes he can play a key role in helping the Swans get off the bottom of the Third Division table.

"He is exactly what we need," Flynn told Swansea's club website.

"He's got pace and skill, he's young and very enthusiastic and wants to come and playing for Swansea City.

"Importantly, he has the ability to get past players and deliver a good cross, which is something we haven't had in our armoury." But Flynn still has a defensive crisis on his hands. Centre-half Neil Sharpe will be out for another three months with damaged ankle ligaments.

The 24-year-old was only expected to be unavailable for some five weeks after picking up the injury against Hartlepool on 7 September.

Right-back Terry Evans picked up a thigh injury last Saturday and will be out of action for at least a fortnight.

Swansea City right-back Terry Evans is expected to be out for at least a fortnight after a he picked up a thigh injury at Oxford on Saturday.

The former Barry Town player missed the last four months of last season after breaking his jaw against Leyton Orient. Evans, who's been ever present for the Swans this season, joins John Williams, Gareth Phillips, Lee Jenkins and Neil Sharp on the Swansea injury list.

Meanwhile, director of football Brian Flynn has strengthened his coaching staff.

Fred Davies, who has twice before worked at the Vetch, will work as a part-time goalkeeping coach.

Davies was assistant manager to John Bond in 1984-85 and returned to the club two years later to work under Jan Molby. He played in goal for Wolves, Cardiff City and Bournemouth.

Brian Flynn will be stripped of his first-choice full-backs as he looks to lift Swansea City off the bottom of the Football League for a second time.

Terry Evans and Michael Howard will both miss matches in the next fortnight after Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Oxford saw Swansea slip back to 92nd spot.

Right-back Evans, 26, limped off just eight minutes into the miserable Kassam Stadium reverse clutching his thigh, and 23-year-old left-back Howard faces a one-match ban after picking up his fifth booking of the season for a mistimed tackle on Manny Omoyinmi, testing further the resources of an already injury-hit squad.

''Terry's pulled his thigh and it looks like he'll be out for a couple of weeks,'' said director of football Flynn, who hauled Swansea off the bottom with a draw at Hull 16 days ago.

Evans joins John Williams, Neil Sharp, Gareth Phillips and Lee Jenkins on the injured list, with Jamie Wood still to serve the last leg of his three-match suspension.

Though Flynn will be hoping Jenkins and Phillips can pull through for next Saturday's meeting with Southend, the former Wrexham manager plans to strengthen his hand with a loan signing in the next few days.

''We were hoping to bring someone in last week but it was not to be,'' he explained.

''But we have not missed out on anybody. It's just circumstances surrounding the players coming in - that managers have said to me we will have to wait until this week.

''There are no stumbling blocks, it's just a matter of timing. I have got enough contacts to do deals.

''We are not going to bring someone in on £10,000 a week so there's a market we are in that I am working towards.

''There are enough players in that market with the quality I know will help us.''

Flynn's 47th birthday on Saturday was ruined by just the sort of player Flynn wants, Oxford substitute Chris Hackett.

The pacy teenage winger raced down Swansea's right flank before laying on the winner for Jefferson Louis.

Boston's surprise home win over high-flying Torquay leaves Swansea one point behind the Lincolnshire club.

Flynn added: ''It's October now. Psychologically, everybody looks at the table at Christmas and says 'where are we?'

''The statistics say teams near the bottom then will be there at the end of the season. We've got to be aware of that.''

It wasn't much of a birthday party anyway, and what celebrations there were ended when the present Brian Flynn really wanted turned up uninvited.

Swansea City's director of football will not have fond memories of the first afternoon of his 48th year, spent unhappily at a cold Kassam Stadium.

Things were going okay until around 4.30, 20 minutes or so before everyone was supposed to go home.

It was hardly carnival stuff, but things were going okay. Then Chris Hackett arrived.

Despite his tender age, Oxford United's 19-year-old winger already has a reputation for the kind of pace which few Third Division defenders can match.

So with a quarter of the game to go and a stalemate on the cards, Us manager Ian Atkins summoned the local lad from the subsitutes' bench and sent him on in place of the former West Ham striker Manny Omonyinmi.

Down Oxford's right flank, Hackett's gas would have given Michael Howard a headache had they started the match together - even though Swansea's left-back is far from sluggish himself.

That he joined the action full of life when all around were starting to fade made Howard's task doubly difficult.

And only four minutes after coming on, Hackett had his say to win the day for the home side.

One-on-one with Howard, the 6ft winger accelerated into the box before teeing up fellow sub and speedy customer Jefferson Louis for a simple tap-in.

Against a Swansea side lacking anything like such a cutting edge going forward, the three points were sealed.

''I said at half-time that they were going to throw something different at us,'' said Flynn.

''And what they did was throw on pace and width. That's what counted in the end, that was the difference in the teams.''

He added: ''I identified on day one that we needed pace and width. We have got a fairly large squad, but we haven't got players in certain positions and that's what I want to address.''

Those 550-or-so Swansea fans who made the relatively short trip down the M4 on Saturday will be hoping their new leader can bring in some fresh blood before Southend arrive in South Wales next weekend.

For this is side a which needs sprucing up - with a rapid injection of something rapid.

With John Williams still sidelined by a thigh problem, youngster Jonathan Keaveny was asked to play in Flynn's winger-cum-striker right-sided attacking role this weekend.

Though not blessed with searing speed, Keaveny looked capable of causing problems and came within inches of his first league goal early on. Fed by Steve Watkin on the break, the 21-year-old raced at Oxford's defence before arrowing a 20-yard cross shot which seemed destined for Andy Woodman's net.

But as Swansea's bench prepared to celebrate, the former Colchester keeper flew across his goal and fingertipped onto the post.

A brilliant save it was, but still the visitors looked like going ahead as the ball rebounded to Watkin near the penalty spot.

Flynn was to be disappointed again, though, as the former Wrexham striker could only steer his left-foot half-volley into the arms of the grateful Woodman. A wonderful opportunity had been spurned.

But, with only seven minutes gone, here were signs that a first win on the road since February could be on the way.

As it turned out, Woodman could have taken a seat in the Kassam's sparsely populated stands for all the action he saw on the pitch after that.

''Key incidents change the course of the game, I've said that for a long time,'' added Flynn.

''I thought we were bright in the first half, our movement was good and our passing was good.

''We had the golden chance with Steve Watkin, and their keeper made a remarkable save. Jon Keaveny did really well, the keeper just tipped it on to the post and then did superbly.''

After a lively opening, the contest deteriorated before the break. Former Swan Matthew Bound was jeered by the visiting support, the whole Oxford team by the home fans - even after Roger Freestone was forced to kick away Omiyinmi's shot in stoppage time.

Atkins's changes earned Oxford their second home win of the season after the break, but even then the game was fairly painful to watch.

"We got too deep in the second-half because of their pace,'' added Flynn, whose side are once again last of all in the Football League thanks to Boston's shock win over Torquay.

''We were afraid of their pace, and as a result of that the midfield dropped deep and the strikers became isolated. When that happens you can't get the ball forward and it just keeps coming back.

''We're bottom again, but the good thing is we've been in games. That encourages me and we'll start again this week.''

So with his team in the worst possible league position, another new year in the life of Flynn begins today. Right now, just being in the league 12 months down the line will make it a happy one.

BRIAN FLYNN is on the verge of making his first signing as Swansea City director of football after watching Oxford United demonstrate the qualities he needs to steer his Third Division strugglers out of trouble.

Flynn is this week expected to bring fresh blood to a side refamiliarising itself with the bottom of the Football League after an instantly forgettable meeting at the Kassam Stadium that only served to highlight where Swansea are going wrong.

Draws against Torquay United and Rochdale hinted at a revival and the Swans - now two points adrift of safety - are certainly proving more stubborn at the back.

But Flynn's team resembles an engine in urgent need of fresh spark plugs, a point not lost on the former Wrexham manager who was quick to identify the traits in Oxford's side that he needs to infuse in his own misfiring unit.

"The difference between the two sides was pace and width. Those are the qualities we need and I identified that from day one," said Flynn. "We have a fairly large squad, but we haven't got players in certain positions. That's what I want to improve on. We will get there, no doubt about that."

Copious column inches have been devoted to Flynn's famed link-up with Manchester United and he would doubtless appreciate a favour or two from his friend at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson.

But, given Swansea's limited financial clout, it appears more likely that Flynn will use his lower league contacts to reinforce a team peering ever more nervously over its shoulder at the Nationwide Conference.

"Let's face it, we are not going to bring in a player on £10,000 a week are we?" said Flynn. "We are operating in a particular market. There are enough players in that market that I know will help us and I've got enough contacts to do deals."

And Flynn admitted, "I've inherited players at Swansea who might not have been my choice.

"But that always happens, unless a manager takes charge of a club at the top of the league and how often is that?"

Swansea's defeat at Oxford, coupled with Boston's 2-1 victory against Torquay United, consigned the Swans to 24th place again, but Flynn said getting out of the bottom two was the most important factor.

"We need that first win (under the new management team)," said Flynn, whose side still haven't registered three points since the 2-0 success against Bournemouth in August.

"Everyone regards Christmas as being halfway through the season and they will look at the statistics and if we are bottom then, wonder if we will still be there at the end of the season.

"I just want to make sure we're not there at Easter. Kevin (Reeves) and I expected this job to be tough and we haven't been let down!"

One thing is certain - Flynn will be forced to reshuffle his defence again after Terry Evans was forced off at the Kassam Stadium after a thigh strain and could be sidelined for a fortnight.

He was replaced by Leigh De-Vulgt - out of favour and out of the picture under Nick Cusack - two minutes after Swansea had an excellent early chance to edge in front.

Jonathan Keaveny, in as a winger for the injured Lee Jenkins, thundered a long-range effort that Oxford goalkeeper Andy Woodman turned against a post before gathering Steve Watkin's follow-up shot off the line. But there was little else for the 552 travelling supporters to get excited about as Swansea were forced to soak up wave after wave of Oxford incursions.

It was not as if the Thames Valley side were much better - Ian Atkins's men had recorded only one previous victory at home this season.

As Flynn acknowledged, they simply beat Swansea for pace and width.

With most of the 5,440 spectators struggling to keep their eyes off the clock, Oxford delivered the killer blow when substitute Chris Hackett outpaced Michael Howard and delivered a measured right-sided cross that Louis Jefferson turned past Roger Freestone from six yards.

The veteran goalkeeper produced a couple of crucial late saves to prevent Oxford, whose former Swans defender Mathew Bound was rarely stretched all afternoon, winning by a greater margin.

Swansea City manager Brian Flynn saw his side slump to the bottom at this English seat of learning.

Oxford's ability to smash a home hoodoo - thanks to a late strike from super sub Jeffereson Louis - condemned the Swans to their seventh League defeat since August 10.

Around 300 vetch fans had made the journed into the Thames Valley but they trailed back to South Wales in misery - Boston's victory over Torquay sentencing sad Swansea to bottom spot in Division Three.

It means the Swans have taken only three from a possible 27 points - shades of Wrexham in the early 90s when Flynn grappled the odds.

A stirring FAC Cup victory over then first division champions Aresenal helped turn the tide at the Racecourse - how 66 times capped former Welsh international Flyhn must crave another divine intervention.

He was putting on a brave face after this game insisting: "Yes we've gone back to the bottom but what's important is where we are come Easter. We desperately need a win but I'm confident we'll get one soon."

True words but Swansea must be surveying a forthcoming fixture list with some trepidation. Southend visit the Vetch next Saturday. Then there's the long trip to Cumbria for a six-point dog fight with Carlisle seven days after that.

And a mounting injury list is not helping the Swansea cause. Defender Terry Evans damaged a thigh at Oxford and will now joing Lee Jenkins and the others in an increasing clustered sick bay.