Sidebar

18
Thu, Apr
24 New Articles

Typography

Jason Scotland reckons Swansea City's big-hitters could be summoned for Johnstone's Paint Trophy duty tonight with Wembley just around the corner - but he's not sure.Swansea's 13-goal top-scorer is keen to make his first start in the competition in this evening's area semi-final against Brighton at the Liberty Stadium (7pm).

 

But he has no idea whether he will be involved because, as ever, boss Roberto Martinez is keeping his cards close to his chest.
 
"As a player you try to read the gaffer's mind," Scotland admits, "but you can't.
 
"He tends to mix things up and we never know what he's going to do or who he's going to play.
 
"Everybody comes in anxious to play and thinking they will be starting.
 
"With Wembley so close I would think he will want to go with his strongest team against Brighton.
 
"We have a strong squad and it could be that he makes changes again because whoever comes in is capable of doing a good job.
 
"But now we've come this far in the competition, I don't think he will want to miss out.
 
"I think he'll go for his strongest possible side tonight, although I wouldn't bet on it!"
 
Scotland may have been to a World Cup with Trinidad & Tobago, but the prospect of playing at English football's home still gets the mouth watering.
 
"I have never even been to the old Wembley or the new Wembley," he adds.
 
"It's a couple of rounds away now and I'd love it if we could get there. It would be a great day out."
 
Given that he started Saturday's FA Cup tie with Havant & Waterlooville, the smart money suggests Scotland will be on the bench against the Seagulls.
 
There is no doubt Martinez wants to progress tonight, but it is safe to say too that he would rather get three points at Luton on Saturday.
 
Hence his top centre-forward is likely to be saved for the weekend.
 
Scotland's success in Swansea colours was recognised last night when he was named League One's Powerade player of the month for December.
 
"It's a nice award to get when you look at some of the players in the division," says Scotland, who netted five times last month.
 
"I'm settling in to a different league, I'm enjoying my football and I'm scoring goals.
 
"I have to give credit to the rest of the lads as well. We play good football which suits me, and the midfielders, even the defenders, are giving me good service."
 
Comfortably the leading marksman at the Liberty he may be, but Scotland's only frustration is that he doesn't have a bigger lead over eight-goal duo Paul Anderson and Andy Robinson.
 
"It couldn't have gone too much better for me," he says, "but I do feel that I should have had a couple more goals."