Swans defend Sancho loan failure

Kenny Jackett says he had to defend Swansea's best interests

Kenny Jackett has defended Swansea over their part in the collapsed loan move for Gillingham defender Brent Sancho.

The manager says Swansea were not told they would have to re-apply for the Trinidad & Tobago player's work permit.

With the Gills also then insisting that Sancho could not play against them on 25 March, the defender was likely to sit out Swansea's next four matches.

"That can change the whole situation and I have to look after my club's interests," Jackett told BBC Wales.

"We didn't know we had to re-apply for somebody who already had a work permit.

"What Gillingham said also was that Brent wasn't allowed to play against them.

"That's a potential four games out of 12 he could have missed and when I told (Gills chairman Paul) Mr Scally that he wasn't best pleased, but nor was I."

Scally said he was furious with Swansea for "reneging" on the proposed two-month deal, adding: "We will not get caught out again in any further dealings with them."

With any move for Sancho now dead in the water, Jackett has shifted his attention to taking Wolves' promising young defender Keith Lowe on loan.