Luke Williams | That was another valuable exercise for the whole squad

Head coach Luke Williams was pleased with a productive pre-season outing as Swansea City – including new signings Eom Ji-sung and Goncalo Franco - got valuable game time under their belts against Bristol Rovers.

The Swans played two hour-long contests against the Gas, with Matt Grimes netting a penalty before Scott Sinclair struck a brace for the visitors in the opener.

In the second period, Josh Thomas finished from a fine through ball from Harry Darling to score the only goal.

Eom played the full 60 minutes in the opener, with Franco doing likewise in the second. Both showed glimpses of what Williams hopes they will bring to Swansea, and he believes the whole squad will have benefited from the assignment.

“It was a really good game for us, I think Bristol Rovers played the game in a good way and it was more minutes and more conditioning for us,” said the Swans boss.

“That also means there is more stuff for us now to work on and get a gauge on, particularly the new players, so it was a good exercise for us.

“We have been really happy with both the guys, we know it is a big deal for them to get up to speed.

“Franco has not had so much conditioning as the rest of the squad, while Eom has been playing in the league in Korea, so they are at different stages but we are really happy with both the guys and we need to help them get up to speed with everyone else in the squad.”

There was also a welcome return for Sam Parker, who got his first minutes under his belt since suffering a hamstring injury early in Williams’ reign against Birmingham City back in January.

“It was good to see him back out there and he looked really strong,” said Williams of the 18-year-old. 

“Obviously the injury was a big blow for us all, and a huge blow for him at that stage.

“He has worked so hard on his recovery that now he looks an even more impressive athlete, so it was brilliant to see him on the pitch.”