Zan Vipotnik loving 'special' Swansea City amid transfer links and defender set for exit

Vipotnik loving life at 'special' Swansea

Zan Vipotnik has hailed Swansea City a 'special' place to play, after firing his way to the top of the Championship's goalscoring charts.

The Slovenian took his league tally to 13 with a brace in the win over Blackburn Rovers, and his goalscoring streak is unlikely to go unnoticed this month.

The 23-year-old has been monitored by a host of clubs in recent weeks, including West Ham United, although there's not yet been any formal approach for the striker.

Sources have also previously indicated an exit this month is looking unlikely.

Nevertheless, Swans boss Vitor Matos admitted Vipotnik's exploits are likely to attract attention from elsewhere, but insisted the forward was focusing on scoring goals rather than events in the market.

And Vipotnik himself says he's very much enjoying himself in SA1.

"I was pleased to score again, last season was a bad season for me, I wasn't myself but I have improved from last year and I hope I can continue to improve," he told the club's official website.

"The fans have been great to me and the team, we can feel their support and the atmosphere from the first minute.

"It is special to play here, it is like we are playing with an extra player on the pitch. We enjoy playing here, and I think you can see that on the pitch.

"We need to find some consistency because our first halves have been strong and some of the second halves there has been a drop off. We need to improve on this but we are happy to have got another win in front of the fans."

Santos speaking to other clubs

Meanwhile, Matos says Ricardo Santos is speaking to other clubs, with a Swansea exit remaining likely this month.

The defender has made just one appearance for the Swans since arriving on a free transfer in the summer, and had initially looked set to join Reading.

A move to the Royals appears to have stalled, but the 30-year-old still looks likely to leave this month, with Matos confirming that other sides are in the frame.

"Ricardo is still speaking with clubs," he said. "We are still speaking as well to find, like I said, the best solution for everyone.

"Of course it's a possibility to leave, that is clear, but at the moment that's it.

When pressed on whether a move to Reading had indeed fallen through, he added: "There's more than Reading, I think, on the table for him,

"So let's see how we end up in the window. Let's see what he wants in terms of his expectations."

Galbraith to be assessed

Finally, Matos says Ethan Galbraith will be assessed ahead of the trip to Hull City on Saturday.

The Northern Irishman was taken off with what looked like an injury during the 3-1 win over Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday night, sparking concern ahead of the trip to Humberside.

Galbraith has been been involved in every league game this season, starting all but two matches for the Swans, and has emerged as a key player following his arrival from Leyton Orient in the summer.

"He had a knock against Birmingham and on the same spot he started to feel uncomfortable. 

"We didn't want to risk it, so that's what happened - just a precaution."