ROBERTO Mancini could receive a pay-off of £20 million after being sacked by Manchester City.

The Italian is set to be replaced at the Etihad Stadium by Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini after City confirmed his dismissal late on Monday.

The Argentine is odds-on favourite to succeed Mancini, although the likes of Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez and Brendan Rodgers are also high in the betting.

Swansea City boss Michael Laudrup was a shortest price 40-1 to become the next City manager yesterday.

UTILITY man Chris Baird is sweating over his Craven Cottage future ahead of Fulham's weekend trip to Swansea City.

The Northern Ireland international has made 22 appearances for Martin Jol's team this season — but has not featured since February.

And with his contract set to expire this summer, Baird could soon be on the hunt for a new club.

Jol has indicated that he wants to bring in six new faces in the close season after Fulham's disappointing end to the campaign.

BRENDAN Rodgers wants to bring players with the right mentality to Anfield as Liverpool bid to close the gap on the top four next season.

"This year has provided a great learning curve for me and I look back and see that it was learning that I needed," said the ex-Swansea boss. "If we improve our mentality in the summer — by signing players who have that consistent winning mentality — we can then improve again, like we have done in the second half of the season.

"We want to make significant improvements next year in the points total because the reality is we are 30 points behind the leaders and 11 behind the top four. This club didn't win two league games in a row for over a year. That came earlier on in the season and when you look at that, it is nowhere near good enough if you are going to succeed."

SWANSEA AMs Mike Hedges and Julie James joined fosters carers at a special event in the Senedd.

They were calling for more people to come forward and provide loving homes for Wales's children in care.

It was part of Foster Care Fortnight, the national campaign run by the Fostering Network that is encouraging people across Wales to 'Get in the Frame' and consider becoming a foster carer.

Swansea West AM, Mrs James said: "Foster carers do a fantastic job, providing some of Wales's most vulnerable children with stability, security and love. However, with more children coming into care every year we urgently need more people to foster."

Swansea East AM Mr Hedges added: "That's why Julie and I have put ourselves in the frame and are supporting this year's Foster Care Fortnight. We would urge everyone in Swansea to think whether they've got what it takes to foster, and to take that next step and find out more today."

See Swansea foster carer video testimonials at southwales-eveningpost.co.uk

A BY-ELECTION notice for a Swansea ward has been issued following the death of a councillor.

Former Lord Mayor Dennis James died last month. He was a Llansamlet councillor who had sat on the old city council and the unitary authority.

The Llansamlet ward is represented by four councillors.

Mr James was a member alongside Penny Matthews, Uta Clay and Ryland Doyle.

A Swansea Council spokeswoman said: "Swansea Council has issued a notice of vacancy in relation to the Llansamlet electoral division.

"It follows the recent death of councillor Dennis James, who passed away following a short illness.

"If a by-election is required the date will be set by the returning officer in due course."

Mr James died following a brief battle with cancer. His funeral took place on Tuesday in St Samlet's Church and Swansea Crematorium.

Following his death a minute's silence was held at the local authority's annual meeting.

A SWANSEA councillor passionate about curbing high-interest payday lenders has welcomed a Welsh Minister's call for regulation.

This week Wales's Anti-Poverty Minister Huw Lewis met with the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to call on regulators to "throw the full force of their powers" to tackle what he claimed to be the "scourge" of payday loans

He has held talks with Kyla Brand, the Office of Fair Trading's representative for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Her office contacted the Minister after he responded to an OFT consultation looking into the practices of payday loan companies. The OFT wants to refer the payday loan market to the Competition Commission.

There are currently an estimated 50 payday lenders in the UK in a sector worth £2 billion.

Swansea Council's cabinet member for opportunities for young people Mitchell Theaker has been working to look at what can be done to help people considering turning to payday lenders, which often have sky-high interest rates.

He said: "I'm really pleased that the Welsh Government is taking such a hard line with payday loan companies. We need significantly more robust and stricter regulation. Swansea Council has been leading a strong campaign on payday loans and so its great to know that the Welsh Government is really throwing its weight behind tackling practices which can often leave families in financial and personal ruin."

Earlier this month OFT said its research so far had illustrated "a concerning picture of the UK payday lending market" where "lenders prepared to comply with the law and guidance …are driven out of the market".

Mr Lewis said: "I welcome this opportunity to express my deep concerns face-to-face with the OFT about the impact payday loan firms are having.

"In these extremely tough economic times they are a scourge on many communities as other forms of credit simply dry up. Many people with nowhere else to turn are being tempted to use loans with massive interest rates just to make it to the end of the month.

"Regulators need to do all they can to examine the practices of these companies to make sure those in perilous financial circumstances are given the right protection. I whole heartedly support the OFT's inquiry and their call for a full investigation by the Competition Commission. The time has come for regulators to throw the full force of their powers behind this issue."

A SWANSEA consultant has advised any women worried about breast cancer to see their GP.

It follows Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie revealing that she has undergone a double mastectomy to reduce her chances of getting breast cancer.

Consultant oncologist at Singleton Hospital, Martin Rolles, said anyone concerned should get advice — but he stresses that the star has a rare genetic abnormality.

The 37-year-old took the decision after doctors told her she had an 87 per cent chance of contracting breast cancer and a 50 per cent likelihood of getting ovarian cancer. She underwent the testing, after losing her mother who died from cancer .

Mr Rolles, said: "If a woman is worried about breast cancer they should see their GP.

"Angelina Jolie has a rare genetic abnormality called a BRCA 1 mutation, which can be passed down through the generations, and which gives a very high likelihood of developing breast cancer and certain other types of cancer.

"Breast cancers caused by BRCA mutations make up a small proportion of the breast cancers seen in hospital — around five to 10 per cent.

"Women with proven BRCA mutations may be advised to consider having preventative double mastectomies and removal of the ovaries in order to reduce their risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer."

He added: "It is important to understand that the majority of women who develop breast cancer, or who have a relative with breast cancer, do not have a BRCA mutation, and will not need to have preventative double mastectomies.

"Most breast cancer cases do not require genetic testing, and in most cases, relatives of women with breast cancer are not advised to have genetic tests.

"Genetic testing is usually only recommended if there is a strong family history, or other particular risk factors which a doctor will ask about."

WELSH motorists have expressed outrage over allegations of price- fixing by giant oil companies.

European anti-trust regulators this week raided the offices of BP, Royal Dutch Shell, and Norway's Statoil, as part of an investigation into whether they may have been linked to fuel price-fixing for more than a decade.

MPs and motoring groups have called on UK regulators to investigate the claims, with the RAC saying the news was "worrying for motorists".

But workers in Swansea whose trade depends on fuel supplies were furious over the allegations.

Ian Phillips, transport manager with Treboeth hauliers T & R Phillips Transport, said: "I have been working in this industry for a long time, and we have to watch fuel prices very closely.

"Fuel accounts for approximately 30 per cent of our costs, and it has been a pretty difficult time over recent years.

"The cost of oil is considerably more expensive than it was a few years ago, and apart from the odd respite, it has been very difficult.

"The cost of fuel has not been going down even when prices have been dropping off.

"The problem has been allowing the big oil companies to get bigger and bigger.

"A lot of money is involved — BP was fined a massive amount following its disastrous oil leak, but it seems to have recovered.

"If these allegations are true, there is a huge knock-on effect, not just for motorists.

"It is not for me to say what any punishment should be if they are found to be true, but if I were to do anything I would end up in prison. Price-rigging is wrong, and it would not be good for the industry."

His sentiments were echoed by Swansea Private Hire Association chairman Wayne Harris, proprietor of city-based Yellow Cabs. He said: "We have been blaming the prices on the Government putting up tax. But if this is true then it is disgraceful.

"We have been trying hard to keep our prices the same for the past five years, but the cost of fuel keeps rising, and we have other issues like insurance to pay for.

"It means we have struggled, and yet oil companies' profits have gone up." The companies whose offices were raided have said they are co-operating with the investigators.

European Commission did not name the firms, and emphasised that the raids did not mean the companies were guilty of any charges.

A WOMAN accused of murder has made her second appearance in court.

Katie Ann Jenkins, 23, appeared at Swansea Crown Court for a preliminary hearing, by videolink from prison.

She appeared tearful during the ten-minute hearing, holding a tissue in her hand throughout.

At one point, as the prosecuting barrister John Lloyd outlined the case against her, she covered her face with both hands.

The public gallery was full, with some members of Jenkins's family breaking down in tears during the hearing.

Jenkins, of Clas y Bedw, Waunarlwydd, is accused of murdering 51-year-old Richard Craddock, from Sandfields, Swansea on May 11.

Police were called to reports of Mr Craddock lying in Sterry Road, Gowerton, in the early hours of the morning.

Her solicitor, Mark Davies, said his client had indicated she would enter a not guilty plea to the charge.

Judge Keith Thomas said her next appearance would be on August 19 where she would be expected to enter a plea to the charge.

She was remanded in custody until that hearing.

A trial date in early November was booked.

Detective Superintendent Huw Lewis, of the South Wales Police specialist crime investigation team, said it was believed Mr Craddock suffered his injuries while sitting in a silver Ford Fusion car in Sterry Road.

Difficult

He said: "Our thoughts are with Richard's family at this difficult time and we are continuing to support them with family liaison officers. This incident occurred on a busy main road, in an area where there are a number of both residential and commercial properties.

"I am appealing directly to any person who may have information no matter how small or insignificant they may think it is to contact the incident room at Cockett police station."

A 56-YEAR-OLD man used a mirror to look at a naked woman in the changing rooms of Swansea's LC leisure centre — but says he dropped the mirror by accident while dyeing his hair in the neighbouring cubicle.

Paul John Clancy pleaded guilty to observing a person doing a private act for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification when he appeared before Swansea Magistrates Court yesterday.

Dennis Davies, prosecuting, said the incident had occurred on March 9 this year when a woman and her daughter were changing together in a cubicle. He said: "They went into the changing room and locked the door behind them.

"While they were there completely undressed, the complainant heard a noise and looked down and saw a mirror on the floor under the partition wall between their cubicle and the neighbouring cubicle.

"It took her a few moments to register what it was. She could clearly see a man's face, he was looking in the mirror — she shouted at him, and he left the changing area."

He added: "Following this, there was an article in the South Wales Evening Post along with a photo still asking for people to help identify the man shown — a source contacted the police and identified the defendant."

Clancy, of Llwyn Derwn, Fforestfach, was then arrested by police.

Mr Davies told the court that in his police interview, Clancy had said he went to the LC that day to dye his hair — he did not do it at home because it made a mess on the tiles — and had dropped the mirror, which measured around 3in by 2in.

Mr Davies said: "The defendant said 'when I bent down to pick up the mirror I am ashamed to say I looked at the woman'."

He added that Clancy had told police he was suffering from a low sex drive and was "interested to see whether a woman's body would arouse him."

John Allchurch, in mitigation, said his client had not gone to the LC with the intention of committing the offence.

He said: "Mr Clancy is deeply ashamed of his behaviour, which was out of character.

"It was not a pre-meditated incident — it was a set of circumstances that occurred."

Magistrates adjourned sentencing for the preparation of a probation report, and bailed Clancy to re-appear at the court on May 29.

The only condition of his bail is that he does not enter any public changing room.

POLICE are appealing for victims who may have been targeted by a cash machine thief to come forward.

Carl Moule was jailed for two years yesterday after pleading guilty to stealing £2,410 from an vulnerable 66-year-old he had befriended.

Swansea Crown Court heard how over the space of a month the victim made more than 10 withdrawals from his bank account using a cash machine in Swansea's Quadrant shopping centre, with Moule's demands for money becoming more intimidating each time.

But detectives believe 37-year-old Moule, of no fixed address, may have preyed upon other people, and they are urging anyone who was the victim of similar incidents to come forward.

South Wales Police acting detective inspector David Butt from Swansea Central CID appealed for potential victims to come forward.

He said: "We welcome the two- year sentence which has been imposed by the court.

"I believe that these are not isolated incidents and I am appealing to anyone with information where an elderly or vulnerable person has been targeted in this manner to contact Swansea Central CID."

The court heard that the victim began giving Moule cash as a loan but that Moule then began demanding money, with the victim becoming frightened by his behaviour.

The incidents took place between March 6 and April 7 this year.

Officers are urging anyone who was the victim of a similar incident — or who may have relatives who have been targeted — to come forward.

Can you help? Call South Wales Police's Swansea Central CID unit on 01792 450618.

A TALENTED teen still hopes to pursue her dream of making it big in the music industry.

Elise Evans from Glynneath, who had a taster of stardom on BBC's The Voice, has big plans to get her own music heard and hopes to become a professional songwriter.

"I would love to continue to write music," said the 18-year-old. "I love to write. I have been writing since I have been singing, and that has been since I was really little.

"I would love to produce my songs. I am going to continue to write at home and hopefully once I can afford to get it recorded, I can get my songs out there."

On Sunday the teen was knocked out at the battle stages on the BBC talent show.

She sang It's all About Tonight by Pixie Lott, but lost out when she was pitted against her fellow team member Cherelle Basquine.

Fantastic

Their mentor, Sir Tom Jones, backed her rival and the other coaches — Jessie J, Danny O'Donohue and Will.i.am failed to take the opportunity to poach her for their teams.

But Elise said she enjoyed every minute of the competition.

"It was an absolutely fantastic experience," she said.

"I will never be able to top that again. I feel proud I have achieved so much at 18.

"It is something nobody can take away from me. I will always remember it. I know I did myself proud."

She said she thoroughly enjoyed working with judge Sir Tom. Elise had picked him to be her mentor after all four judges turned their chairs around for her during her blind audition where she sang Etta James number Something's Got a Hold On Me.

The former Neath Port Talbot College student said: "It was amazing to work with him and a dream come true.

"He is an exceptional guy and is really down to earth and grounded. I learnt a lot."

She said she was looking forward to watching the rest of the battle shows and series develop.

"I will be watching the shows and will be supporting the many great friends I made on the show," she said. "I will be supporting them 100 per cent."

Bronwen Lewis, 19, from Seven Sisters also appeared the show this month but narrowly missed out on progressing to the next stage.

The next episode of The Voice will be on Saturday, May 25 at 7.10pm.

SWANSEA City are quietly confident that they will pull off a sensational double transfer coup this summer by landing Romelu Lukaku and Iago Aspas.

Michael Laudrup has made it clear that adding firepower to his squad will be his top priority in the close season.

And the Evening Post understands Swansea are optimistic about their chances of having both Lukaku and Aspas on board in time for next term's Europa League adventure.

Swansea are keen to sign Chelsea powerhouse Lukaku on a season-long loan, while Aspas would arrive on a permanent deal that has been in the pipeline for months.

Laudrup has steadfastly refused to comment on transfer targets this season, but has spelt out his admiration for both Lukaku and Aspas.

Swansea believe they are in pole position to get the sought-after Lukaku, who said in an interview over the weekend that he expects to leave Stamford Bridge on a season-long loan next term for a club playing European football.

Assuming that it will be a Premier League team, Swansea look like the only realistic option for the 20-year-old, who cost Chelsea £18 million when he arrived from Anderlecht almost two years ago.

Juventus have been mentioned as admirers, while West Brom would love to keep Lukaku for another year after a hugely successful stint this term which has brought 14 goals to date.

But both Lukaku and his parent club are keen for him to play European football in 2013-14.

And though there is uncertainty over who will be Chelsea's manager next season, it is believed the London club's hierarchy have indicated that they would be happy for the Belgian international to join Swansea as they are likely to sign a forward in the summer.

Aspas, meantime, is being tipped to arrive in a multi-million-pound deal which could see Swansea's record transfer fee — the £5.55m they paid for Pablo Hernandez — eclipsed again.

The 25-year-old is tipped to leave Celta Vigo this summer with the Spanish club in serious danger of relegation from La Liga.

Aspas, who was on the verge of a call-up to the Spain squad earlier in the campaign, has been linked with Chelsea and Tottenham in recent months.

La Liga heavyweights Valencia looked close to clinching an agreement over Aspas in March, only to back out of the deal, and it seems now that Swansea are the firm favourites to get him when the transfer window opens.

Aspas, a smaller, more creative forward than Lukaku, has scored 11 times in 32 appearances in the Spanish top flight this term having shone in the second tier last season.

He netted 23 times in 2011-12 to help Celta, his local club, win promotion to La Liga.

Swansea were linked with Aspas in January, when a fee of around £8m was mentioned. Laudrup may hope to get his man for less than that now, but a significant outlay will undoubtedly be required to bring Aspas to Wales.

Swansea, who parted company with Mark Gower this week, have already all but finalised their first summer signing, with Jose Canas poised to arrive from Real Betis on a free transfer.

DIVISION ONE

SALISBURY A

BEECHWOOD A

59 K Phelps P Hobson 3 53 M Price, N Doughty P Hardman, S Hardman 22 55 T Rees J Terry 18 61 M Tucker, J Steins K Haynes, P Rushton 34 48 M Williams C Collins 58—— 4 1

SWANSEA DOCKERS A

21 P Gavey J Perrin 66 41 N Hopkins, G Dale D Evans, M Blyth 51 34 G Davies L Grey 67 28 M Jenkins, L Clement M Payne, L Johnson 59 62 R Guard M Hembrow 42—— 1 4

SWANSEA LABOUR B

60 B Evans J Wilcox 42 63 R Michael, G Robinson P Hodder, B Batchelor 22 68 P Thomas L Cole 2 28 K Murrells, A Rees R Carmichael, I Wallace 64 52 J Meadows S Johnson 37—— 4 1

CWMFELIN A

30 P Margrave P Doughton 65 43 A Gummer, D Copp I Williams, K Hillier 68 75 N McCarthy J Tudor 61 6 D Matthews, W Thomas P Hill, I Davies 68 14 R Page T James 62—— 1 4

CWMFELIN D

49 M Allen R Ford 35 48 B Evans, A Davies A Griffiths, D Kirwan 49 46 S Johns K Davies 58 41 M Bello, B Cana S Ford, B Housley 51 34 N Holland J Davies 44—— 1 4

ST ILLTYD'S A

48 P Wilkie R Bowen 71 30 S Thomas, P Gibbons S Brigdale, M Harrington 60 64 R Otteson M Warburton 32 40 G Thomas, S Steel J Walters, K Andrews 53 70 J Price S Thomas 33—— 2 3

SKETTY CLUB

52 D Payne M Wilks 32 54 S McCaughtrie, S Cobley P Maunder, R Lewis 49 58 P Davies R Waters 49 56 P Thomas, R Davies K Bradley, S Henderson 29 62 S Davies T Roberts 57—— 5 0

BEECHWOOD B

MANSEL WMC B

50 A Coates G Bayliss 29 61 S Williams, P Lee J Davies, R Jones 37 40 P Shirley A Hopkins 73 37 C Bishop, M Billinness T Smith, D Osmundsen 46 21 T Bowen M Rowlands 48—— 2 3

ARMINE A

45 H Bevan C Howells 48 57 N Lewis, M Lewis D Porter, B Sherratt 37 56 B Evans C Searle 57 30 L Leakey, D Williams P Dicks, A Humphries 63 41 D Johns H Lewis 53—— 1 4

ST ILLTYD'S C

35 N Jones M Johns 55 66 G Jones, C Morton M Harrington, J Bradford 32 50 M Thomas L Bowen 59 53 R Milligan, D Gilpin A Thomas, T Johns 26 52 J Hyde A Casey 1 6—— 3 2

SWANSEA LABOUR C

27 A Howells G Langford 59 47 S Sharrett, M Davies A Shannon, P Miller 13 32 W Hurlow A Davies 45 33 K Johns, M Williams J Bidder, S Brannigan 63 49 D Knill M Rickard 45—— 2 3

HEATHCLIFFE A

50 M Anderson A Davies 27 35 G Morris, T Knight J Davy, R Connipane 28 31 K Long A Sheldon 69 58 P Berni, L Williams I Chappel, A Jones 49 53 D John J Mapstone 37—— 4 1

SWANSEA DOCKERS C

38 R Harris M Howell 46 37 S Dalling, D Madden S Hughes, J Barrett 56 8 E Sharratt K Morgan 62 50 G Davies, D Harrington M Thomas, A Palmer 34 53 E Johnston D Thomas 37—— 2 3

P W L Pts Salisbury A 24 22 2 94 Swansea Dockers A 24 21 3 90 Swansea Labour A 24 18 6 72 Cwmfelin A 24 17 7 72 Mumbles Cons A 24 15 9 72 Beechwood A 24 11 13 55 Cwmfelin B 24 9 15 54 Penlan A 24 9 15 54 Swansea Dockers B 24 10 14 53 St Illtyd's A 24 8 16 48 Cwmfelin C 24 6 18 45 Swansea Labour B 24 6 18 45 Sketty Club 24 9 15 44 Cwmfelin D 24 7 17 44

Mansel WMC B 22 21 1 85 Armine A 22 18 4 72 Sketty Park A 23 17 6 72 Morriston WMC A 22 15 7 65 Swansea Labour C 23 13 10 63 Heathcliffe A 22 12 10 57 Swansea Dockers C 22 11 11 52 St Illtyd's B 22 7 15 49 Beechwood B 22 9 13 48 Armine B 22 6 16 42 St Illtyd's C 22 4 18 41 Mansel WMC A 22 7 15 39 St Illtyd's D 22 3 19 37

MERLINS A lead the field in division one of the Swansea Netball Summer League following their third win of the season.

Merlins never looked in any danger against Apex B and had a ten-goal cushion going into the final quarter.

With consistent shooting by Nia Lewis and Hayley Lewis and strong defence from Angharad Howells and Natalie Robbins, they ended up 38-22 winners.

Also enjoying success are are Pontardawe A. They took on Tawe A and with the help of reserves Wendy Blethyn and Imogen Jones managed their second win of the season, 32-12.

Tawe A never managed more than four goals in any quarter and Pontardawe A had a comfortable win to gain a further five points.

In division four, Cowbridge A saw off Treforus Z 33-15, while Tawe B were well beaten by Cowbridge B.

Div. 1 — Pontardawe A 32 Tawe A 12, Paragons A 33 Treforus C 13, Treforus A 30 Apex A 34, Apex B 22 Merlins A 38.

Div. 2 — Morganite A 27 Aberavon A 30, Carmarthen 40 CSN 29, Sospans A 29 Merlins B 12, Paragons B 28 Treforus B 22.

Div. 3 — Pontardawe B 26 Treforus B 22, Ospreys 21 Treforus D 26, Sospans B 12 Pontardawe C 22, Apex C 19 Panthers 34.

Div. 4 — Cowbridge A 44 Tawe B 8, Aberavon 30 Morganite 15, Trax 28 Ammanford 1 34.

Div. 5 — Sospans C 34 Ammanford 2 28, Paragons C 41 Liberty 15, Blackbirds 16 Aberavon D 26, Steelers 22 Merlins C 19.

DIVISION 1

P W Pts Railway A 11 10 81 Ynystawe B 10 10 69 Duke 10 9 67 Ivorites A 10 7 65 Old Prince A 11 6 56 Railway B 10 5 56 Ford's A 11 6 55 Commercial A 11 4 50 Club 10 5 47 Fords B 11 2 42 Ynystawe A 10 3 40 Ivorites B 10 1 34 Smiths 10 3 32 Plough & Harrow A 10 1 30

Ford's C 11 8 69 Snooker Club A 10 8 69 Full Moon 9 8 61 Snooker Club B 10 7 59 Midland 9 6 56 Malsters 11 7 56 Morriston RFC 11 5 50 Snooker Club C 10 3 43 Commercial B 10 2 41 Old Prince B 10 3 41 Plough & Harrow A 10 3 38 Globe 9 4 36 Swan 10 1 27

SECTION ONE

P W L Pts Tredegar Arms 10 9 1 75 Naval & Military 10 8 2 70 Cwmfelin 10 8 2 69 Bonymaen Inn 10 6 4 58 Hooker Dyers A 9 6 3 57 Landore 9 3 6 46 Armine 10 2 8 42 Champs 9 1 8 28 Swansea Dockers 9 0 9 26

Ford's 9 5 4 57 *Samlet 9 6 3 52 Globe Inn 8 6 2 51 Halfway Inn 8 5 3 49 Penlan 8 5 3 45 Heathcliffe 9 4 5 44 Manselton 9 2 7 40 Hooker Dyers B 8 1 7 34