Will Swans fight against Sheffield United and Blackburn for favourite?

News today in the Athletic suggests that Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Carl Rushworth is once again set to be loaned out to the Championship.

An ever present between the sticks for the Swans in 23/24, Rushworth won’t be short of suitors with Sheffield United reported to be amongst the interested parties for a season long loan deal.

Following an equally impressive stint at Lincoln City the season before, the Halifax born stopper was a standout performer in a turbulent campaign in SA1 and Luke Williams made no secret of his personal desire to retain his services for 24/25.

“Rushy is incredible – I think he is going to be a top keeper,” he said after 2-1 win at Sunderland in February.

“I think he is going to be with us next season of course, but after that he is going to go on and be a top Premier League keeper I am sure because of the quality he has but also the personality he has to go with it.”

As it turns out, that was more tongue in cheek than expectation but the news that another loan to England’s second tier is to follow may give the Swans boss reason for optimism.

The fly in the ointment in terms of an approach from our end comes in the space of 6 foot 4 Lawrence Vigouroux; signed from Burnley just a few weeks ago with eyes on the number one spot ahead of the injured Andy Fisher.

Fisher looks set to be out for several months after he was withdrawn in the pre season friendly loss against FC Koln which does theoretically mean that a goalkeeper could be required.

The Swans boss recently confirmed that the injury for Fisher is “more extensive” than first thought therefore leaving Nathan Broome and Evan Watts as back-up. Neither player have kicked a ball in first team football for the club.

So it leaves Williams and Swansea with a dilemma. Go back in for a player (that will likely never be a permanent option) who is a known performer at this level or give the full opportunity to the man who moved from Lancashire on a two year deal?

Whether Vigouroux would be content to have moved up the ladder from third choice at Turf Moor to second in South Wales would be interesting, but surely if the club want Rushworth back again then it would be a sensible choice for all parties?

For me, it’s a no brainer.