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Watch this week's Focus on Swansea City

WORLD CUP winner Sir Geoff Hurst has declared Swansea City have set new standards for every side promoted to the Premier League.

The West Ham legend, who famously scored a Wembley hat-trick to win the World Cup for England in 1966, says he is full of admiration for the way the Swans have performed in the top flight.

Hurst spoke up as Michael Laudrup’s men get ready to take on the newly-promoted Hammers at the Liberty Stadium this weekend.

He believes West Ham can learn from the Swans example, telling the match-day programme: “Swansea really established themselves as a very good Premier League club in their first season back in the top flight.

“They were a breath of fresh air last season. They showed that newly-promoted sides can go into the division and play good football.

“While I was at West Ham, we built a reputation for our style of play and slick passing and I’m full of admiration for Swansea for theirs.

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“The second season is often the hardest for newly-promoted sides to keep their place in the division, but certainly for the football they play, it would be nice to see them survive.

“It will be a tough place for West Ham to go to look for a result.”

Swansea hope to have completed a deal for Celtic’s Ki Sung Yueng in time for Saturday’s clash with club sources last night saying they were confident of securing the South Korea star.

Ki should complete his record-breaking £5m switch to the Liberty Stadium today and former Wales and Celtic striker John Hartson believes he can be a success in South Wales.

Hartson admits he is surprised Celtic are willing to let 23-year-old Ki leave after two successful years at the club.

He said: “I know they have a quite strong midfield with (Kris) Commons, (James) Forrest, (Joe) Ledley, (Scott) Brown and some players coming through but Ki was a star there and popular with the fans.

“However, he obviously wants a move to the English Premier League and Swansea are in a strong position and an attractive proposition.”

Ki, 23, scored nine times in 66 appearances for the Celtic after joining from FC Seoul in 2010, including a 35-yard stunner in their Scottish Cup triumph in 2011.

Ki has been linked with a host of top clubs in the Premier League and abroad and Hartson says he’s got the attributes to become a Swansea regular.

“He’s big and strong, can pass and really strike the ball,” added Hartson.

“He’s big, can use two feet and play across the midfield, is young and possesses the attributes of a modern, mobile midfielder.

“There’ll be real competition at Swansea in midfield.

“I wouldn’t suggest he’d walk in when you look at the players Laudrup has got – especially after the way they played against QPR – but if you’re going to pay that money then you’d expect him to play.”

Meanwhile Swansea are yet to reach an agreement with Valencia over Pablo Hernandez, with the Spanish La Liga outfit reluctant to let the winger leave.

Swansea have already had two bids rejected by Valencia for Hernandez but could return with a final offer for the 27-year-old.

Hernandez, who worked with Laudrup at Getafe, is reportedly keen on a switch to the Premier League and it has been suggested an offer of more than £5m could persuade Valencia to part with the player.

Swansea are still waiting to hear if Manchester City will up their offer for star winger Scott Sinclair after the Premier League champions made an initial offer of £5m for the 23-year-old.

The Swans are willing to hold out for more money for Sinclair, who has 12 months to run on his current deal and has refused to sign a new contract.