By Chris Wathan
Western Mail

Roberto Martinez last night lost out in his battle to keep hold of Paul Anderson - but will now switch his attentions to landing another Liverpool loan star.

Pace ace Anderson delivered a body blow to Martinez's summer plans when he snubbed the chance to rejoin the Swans to sign a season-long deal with Championship rivals Nottingham Forest.

But with Martinez having last night agreed a deal to bring Southend wideman Mark Gower to the Liberty, the Western Mail understands the Spaniard will go back to Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez in a bid to lure exciting young winger Adam Hammill to South Wales.

Hammill, 20, spent last year with Southampton and it is thought Martinez sees him as the ideal replacement for Anderson, who ended weeks of speculation by announcing his decision at the City Ground yesterday.

Martinez will have to beat off as many as six suitors for ex-England youth star Hammill, with Wolves, Charlton, Preston and Aberdeen among the clubs linked with the midfielder.

But Martinez will be buoyed after already winning one transfer race this week as 29-year-old Mark Gower finally put pen to paper last night on a long-term, performance-related contract.

And after weeks of talks, sparked when Gower turned down a new deal from Southend, Martinez could finally confirm the move late last night.

"We are excited to capture a player with Championship experience; a player who has played a very important and successful role at Southend over the last five years," said Martinez, who welcomed his squad back to base yesterday for fitness tests before pre-season training begins in earnest next week.

"The fact that he's chosen to join us with the best years of his career ahead of him is extremely pleasing.

"It shows how far we've come as a football club.

"We all felt, including Mark, he needed a new chapter and challenge in his career and the fans should be excited that they'll be seeing his talents on display at the Liberty."

But as much as Martinez will have been buoyed by the arrival of Gower, the former Tottenham trainee earmarked to replace Andy Robinson after the midfielder joined Leeds last month, the Swans chief will have been hugely disappointed to lose out on Anderson.

Martinez had hoped Anderson, 19, would return to the Liberty after his breakthrough season in South Wales last year where he scored eight goals in 27 starts.

But despite being prepared to shell out a £100,000 loan fee for the Anfield youngster, Forest are thought to have trebled Swansea's bid to win the race for his services.

"I enjoyed last season at Swansea but after speaking to Forest I just felt that it was the right move for me," said Anderson, who was also believed to be keen in staying close to his Melton Mowbray home.

"I'm joining a big club in Forest and I am very excited about the challenge of trying to help them make an impact in the Championship.

"I realise I will face a battle to get into the team because there are some very good players here but I have confidence in my ability to do that."

Martinez will now try and persuade Benitez to loan him Hammill, who made 25 appearances for Southampton last year, and will point to the job done in developing Anderson over the last season in the hope of gaining an advantage over rivals.

But the Swans boss will also press on with the rest of his transfer targets and will attempt to tie up a deal for Spanish defender Albert Serran, expected to complete a move from Espanyol, while Argentinian Fede Bessone is also expected to hold talks about a possible move from the Spanish side.

But it remains to be seen just how Swansea's side will shape up before the kick-off of the season.