Boss Williams will be 'a frustrated man'

Former Wales striker Iwan Roberts says Swansea City’s squad “obviously needs strengthening” before the transfer window closes.

Swansea go in search of a first win of the new season when they host Gillingham in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, having lost their opening Championship fixture at Middlesbrough last weekend.

The Swans’ bench at Boro featured a number of youngsters and fringe players, with a handful of early-season injuries not helping the club’s cause.

But after a summer transfer window in which 13 senior players have departed – as well as youngsters Cameron Congreve and Joel Cotterill – while only four have arrived, Swansea’s squad looks short in a number of areas.

“I think Luke Williams will be a frustrated man at the minute because as a head coach, you want to get your players through the door,” Roberts told BBC Radio Wales Sport.

“You want them to have a full pre-season if that’s possible.

“Obviously it’s not possible at times but as he has said, he needs at least four, five more new faces to come in because the squad is a bit thin.”

Swansea had plenty of possession at Boro but failed to register a shot on target as they were beaten 1-0.

“Swansea were the better side in the second half but they couldn’t create that opportunity to equalise,” Roberts added.

“They have lost their two top scorers last season – Jamal Lowe and Jerry Yates, who they have sent on loan to Derby.

“The squad obviously needs strengthening.”