Swansea players take charge

Cusack will take the reins along with Roger Freestone

Swansea players Nick Cusack and Roger Freestone will take charge of the first team for the match against Carlisle.

The move is in response to the news that manager Colin Addison and his assistant Peter Nicholas are to leave their posts.

Club captain Cusack insisted he and goalkeeper Freestone had the experience to lead the side.

"Together, we've got 16 years service for the club, so we know what Swansea City Football Club is about, and we want to do our best," he he told the club's website.

"We've been in the game a long time, so we will want to put all that experience to good use.

We want to win the game, and we want to play it with a smile on our face

Nick Cusack

"There are plenty of decisions to be made ahead of the game - will we want to make a couple of changes, what system will we use, etc?

"I'm sure that the players will be professional, and approach the game in the right way.

"Myself and Roger will be out there in the middle with them come Saturday. We want to win the game, and we want to play it with a smile on our face."

Addison and Nicholas moved to the Vetch Field seven months ago on short-term contracts to replace John Hollins and wanted to tie up permanent deals.

But after talks on Thursday, the new Swansea board announced that the duo would not be offered new contracts, citing financial problems inherited from former chairman Tony Petty.

Swansea director Mel Nurse said that the pair would not be needed for the Carlisle game.

Addison said: "I was happy to go to Carlisle, but they've taken it out of our hands - it's as simple as that.

"I shall be here (at The Vetch) tomorrow morning with Peter (Nicholas) to see the players and staff to thanks them for their help and support.

"But it's very disappointing."

Addison and Nicholas have been through turbulent times with the Nationwide League Division Three club.

We would like to point out that the decision is a purely financial one, not a footballing one

Swansea City FC

They were in charge during the disastrous Petty reign as chairman - at one point wages were paid by the Professional Footballers' Association - and have been unable to strengthen their squad because of a transfer embargo.

After an impressive run of form which took them up the table - Tuesday's defeat at Shrewsbury was their first in six matches - the pair were keen to discover their long-term future.

Former Vetch star John Cornforth had been mentioned as a possible successor, but he is expected to sign a new deal at Exeter.

In a statement, the club said: "Swansea City Football Club would like to point out that the decision is a purely financial one, not a footballing one.

"We would like to place on record our thanks for their hard work in recent months, and wish them all the best for the future."

Swansea City's youth development director Paul Compton has also left the club because of financial reasons.