'Arguably no better duo in the league' - Williams

Head coach Luke Williams says there is arguably no better central defensive duo in the Championship than Swansea City's Ben Cabango and Harry Darling.

Wales international Cabango, 24, and former MK Dons player Darling, 25, have played every minute for Swansea in the second tier this season.

Williams' team have conceded only nine goals in 14 league games to date, with their defensive resilience key to an encouraging start to 2024-25.

When asked if the Cabango-Darling pairing is as good as there is in the Championship, Williams said: "I think you can argue that. I think you can argue that on numbers, the clean sheets we have had and how few goals we have conceded.

"And you can also argue that based on watching with your naked eye how we play."

Williams says the contribution of Cabango and Darling is all the more laudable given that both players face uncertain futures.

Swansea want the two defensive lynchpins to sign new contracts but as things stand, they will both be free agents when their current deals expire at the end of the season.

Williams said last month the club were trying "build bridges" with Cabango and Darling – as well as their respective representatives – because of a delay in contract talks.

With discussions now ongoing, Williams said: "I don't know exactly where we are at. I am concentrating on them being prepared for the games and they are doing incredibly. They are not lacking any motivation or playing like they are trying to get away.

"They deserve to be respected for the difficult situation they are in, because there's uncertainty around their contracts and it's public, everyone knows."

Cabango has made 198 senior appearances, scoring 10 goals, having come through Swansea's academy, while Darling has scored seven times in 87 games since joining the Welsh club from MK Dons in 2022.

They will line up alongside each other once more when Swansea go in search of a third straight league win at Burnley on Sunday.