Ritson joins Swans ranks

Swansea City has strengthened its backroom team with the appointment of physio Ritson Lloyd.

Lloyd, 38, will team up with current senior first-team physios Kate Rees and Richie Buchanan to provide additional support to Garry Monk's squad.

The St Asaph-born physio has built up a wealth of experience and expertise after leaving the NHS to become head physio at Coventry City's Academy in 2007.

He then stepped up to first-team physio at Wrexham in 2009 before swapping the Racecourse for the same role at Sheffield United last season.

Having joined the Swans on their pre-season training camp in America this week, Lloyd said: "It's a very exciting position for me. Not only is it a job in the Premier League, but I'll also be working for a Welsh club.

"It's a fantastic opportunity which I didn't have to think twice about taking up. The club is developing all the time and although it hasn't been in the Premier League for long, it is striving to be a leading light on the medical front.

"I have already seen for myself that from a professional perspective the club is right up there already.''

Lloyd, who has a Degree in Chartered Physiotherapy from the University of Salford, Manchester, added: "The backroom staff and the players have made me very welcome. The club is very grounded and humble, which is really refreshing. It is very similar to my old club Wrexham, only on a bigger scale because of the demands of  Premier League football.''