Cheap as chips as Swansea boss expects 'sardines not lobster'

London - Swansea boss Carlos Carvalhal admitted Thursday that the harsh financial realities of propping up the Premier League will mean he'll be buying "sardines and not lobster" in the transfer window.

The Welsh club face runaway second-tier Championship leaders Wolves in the FA Cup at the weekend.

Wolves, backed by Chinese company Fosun International, have invested heavily in Nuno Espirito Santo's playing squad while Swansea have failed to adequately strengthen following the summer sales of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Fernando Llorente and Jack Cork.

"We have money for sardines and I'm thinking lobster," Carvalhal said ahead of Saturday's third round trip to Wolverhampton.

"I will do my best to try and bring in the best players. I will look to the lobsters and sea bass, but if not we must buy sardines. But sometimes the sardines can win games."