Sheffield United forward David Cotterill is set to complete his move to Swansea City. The deal is an initial loan untill the transfer window opens in January where the Cardiff born player will sign for an initial £500,000.

The winger has made only three starts for the Blades this season, and with the player keen to nail down a first team place to improve his international credentials the move comes as good news for the former Wigan winger.

Cotterill will also provide another wide outlet for the Swans who are looking for someone to compete with Nathan Dyer and Mark Gower.

HM

A 1-0 victory at home against Derby has seen Swansea City rise to 4th in the Coca Cola Championship. A perfect performance from Derby goal keeper Stephen Bywater made it a frustrating evening for Swansea who needed a last minute winner from Swansea right back Bessone to secure three points and a short lived third placed spot in the table .

Meanwhile, frustration mounts for Cardiff. Their game away at Barnsley could easily have finished  0-0 with both teams unable to grab the winner in 90 minutes. When Cardiff skipper Mark Hudson allegedly handled the ball on the edge of the Cardiff box in the 91st minute, on-loan Barnsley left back Carl Dickinson fired home the free-kick from 20 yards out. The shot took a mean deflection off Michael Chopra leaving Cardiff keeper David Marshall wrong footed.

The result means Cardiff currently lie 5th in the table, 1 point behind rivals Swansea in 4th.

http://www.skysports.com/football/league/0,19540,11687,00.html

HM

Cardiff City’s Irish midfielder Stephen McPhail has been diagnosed with cancer. It was feared weeks ago when the 29-year-old, former club captain had a lump removed from his kneck.

The good news is that McPhail’s illness, stage one MALT lymphoma is treatable and he could be back as early as January.

McPhail has been out of action since November the 1st with a groin injury.

HM

Wales 3-0 Scotland

An efficient performance led by the influential Aaron Ramsey saw Wales thump Scotland 3-0 at Cardiff City Stadium. Ramsey helped create the two opening goals for David Edwards and Simon Church before scoring the third all before the break.

Toshack named Ashley Williams as captain in the absence of Craig Bellamy, Simon Davies and James Collins who all withdrew from the squad. The Swansea player had a mixed reception from the Cardiff crowd but a large amount of the noise at the stadium was provided by the Tartan Army.

The Scots had over five thousand supporters, which provided a large amount of the atmosphere for a game which did not attract a large crowd. The attendance for the game should be viewed as a disappointment as the match was moved to the Cardiff City Stadium in the hope of creating a sell out match and a greater atmosphere.

After a positive opening 15 minutes from Scotland, Wales took the lead in the 17th minute as Ramsey crossed for Edwards who scored an impressive scissor kick.

Wales doubled their lead in the 32nd minute when Joe Ledley crossed from the left for Church to turn in from close range.

Just three minutes later Ramsey scored a superb solo effort as he brushed aside tackles from three Scotland players and slotted the ball well past David Marshall.

The second half saw little change as Wales continued to press on against a Scottish team which seemed to have little to offer the game. Substitute Sam Vokes had the best opportunity after the break, seeing his effort handled outside the area by Marshall, who was lucky only to receive a yellow card.

Scotland eventually created chances late on but saw their best effort by Ross McCormack tipped over the bar by the rarely troubled Wayne Hennessey.

JK

Wales seven’s coach Paul John has been named Welsh Coach of the Year by the Sports Council for Wales.

 The award was presented at a ceremony to highlight the achievments of the country’s top coaching talents from grass roots right through to the high performance ends of coaching.

Paul John was first named High Perfomance Coach of the Year before being named the overall Wales Coach of the Year to mark a fitting end to a fantastic season for the Pontypridd man.

 The Seven’s squad made huge leaps to progress from a regular, competetive, international side to World Champions in Dubai last year, fighting off tough competition from traditional seven’s powerhouses New Zealand, Fiji and England.

When not coaching the Seven’s squad John also takes charge at premiership side Pontypridd RFC where he has taken his side to the top of the Principaility Premiership.

 After the ceremony John told of his surprise at winning Wales’ most prestigious coaching award: “I’m surprised to be honest with you. To get an award like this is very unepected – it’s the last thing I expected. It;s recognition for a fantastic group of coaches who come together on the seven’s really.”

NRH

Wales 17 -13 Samoa

Wales almost suffered a shock defeat at the hands of an inspired Samoa in the Millennium Stadium on Friday night.

Wales fielded a strong squad, with only five fresh faces from the side that lost to New Zealand last week. Despite the strong team, the South Pacific islanders were up for the challenge. A  shoulder charge into Dwayne Peel by full-back Lolo Lui, deemed to be a yellow card, in the first 5 minutes set the tone for a night of big hitting.

James Hook put his body on the line more than once, again playing  out of position at full-back and won the man of the match award. Hook got taken out twice, but both times he was the first to get up proving that his toughness matched his silky skills.

In a game dominated by lack of possession by both teams, there were only two tries in the game; the best coming from Wales at the very start. Rookie fly-half’s inch-perfect kick landed sweetly into the hands of Leigh Halfpenny who dived over for Wales’ only try. The Samoan’s try was again made by Biggar - whose pass was intercepted by crash ball speciallist Seilala Mapusua, who ran 70 yards to score.

A close result, and much is being asked of Wales with two difficult but winnable games still to be played against Argentina and Australia. Samoa head off to Paris today with their reputation as an international force continuing to grow. 

TM

Warren Gatland has only made 5 changes to play the south sea islanders. He has talked about the respect he is showing for a team who have a tradition for being hard-hitting ball carriers, and even bigger tacklers.

Veteran Martyn Williams is rested while  the highly rated Sam Warbuton fills nuggets boots at 7. Gatland has expressed that Warbuton has a chance to claim the jersey as his own in the future, but insists he must play his own play not try and emulate Williams. Although he should take inspiration from All Black captain Richie McCaw.
Dafydd Jones misses out for the rest of the Autumn internationals due to a shoulder injury that he has undergone surgery for yesterday.

Blues flyer Tom James comes in for Shane Williams to add some height and power to the back three.
Dwayne peel is set to start at scrum-half with Gareth Cooper being rested and Scarlets number 9 Martin Roberts on the Bench.
The only change in the front-row is Huw Bennett replacing Mathew Rees at hooker, while Paul James retains his position at tight-head after a solid return to international rugby.

Wales team to face Samoa this Friday:

James Hook (Ospreys); Leigh Halfpenny, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts, Tom James (all Cardiff Blues); Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Dwayne Peel (Sale); Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Huw Bennett, Paul James (both Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Andy Powell, Sam Warburton (both Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt).

Replacements: Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Craig Mitchell (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Blues), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Martin Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Morgan Stoddart (all Scarlets)

TM

Wales will be without three of their most notable players when they face Scotland at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.

Craig Bellamy has withdrawn from the squad with a  knee injury, while Fulham midfielder Simon Davies misses another game for his country with a foot injury. In form Aston Villa defender James Collins has also pulled out with a groin injury.

Joe Allen and St Mirren midfielfer Andy Dorman are lined up to make their first appearances for Wales,  while Adam Matthews could also feature, having impressed this season for Cardiff.

HM

Wrexham are through to the second round of the F.A. cup after beating Lowescroft 1-0 at the Racecourse. Gareth Taylor’s header on 89 minutes saved the Dragons from having to replay the tie away at Lowescroft, a team who play in the Ryman Division one North, three divisions below Wrexham.

The north Walians will now play Coca Cola League one’s Swindon Town on Saturday the 28th of November.

HM

Rhyl were at home to Llanelli yesterday and the west Walians held their rivals to a 0-0 draw, meaning the Reds are only three points away from top spot.

Neath meanwhile go joint top with Rhyl after beating Haverfordwest by 2-1 away from home. Craig Steins grabbing two goals for the Eagles, taking his tally to 8 for the season. Aeron Edwards bagged a hat-trick in a 4-0 win for T.N.S against Cefn Druids.  Prestatyn continued to put pressure on those teams above them, drawing 1-1 at home to Newtown. Despite their inconsistent start to the season, Aberystwyth lie in 6th place after a 1-0 victory over Bala Town, with a goal from midfielder Glyndwr Hughes.

Port Talbot beat Caersws 2-1 at the Recreation Ground, Liam McCreesh and Drew Fahira scoring for the Steelmen, and Matthew Prosser scoring for the Bluebirds. In Firday nights most entertaining game, Airbus U.K put four past a sorry Connah’s Quay, with the Wingmakers expressing the importance of team work: Owen, Cooks, Robert and Connell all getting on the scoresheet.

Camarthen will rue missed chances after holding Bangor City to a 2-2 draw in a mid table tie.

Here is the league in full: http://www.welsh-premier.com/tpl_league/index.php

HM