The final destination before the International break comes round again is Burnley this coming Sunday (3pm) The Lancashire club as expected are in and amongst the promotion contenders, so to get anything from this game is going to be difficult.
Their last five games before tonight ( they go to West Bromwich Albion : KO 8pm ) has seen the Clarets pick up six points from fifteen, with just the one win. They have been held at home by Queens Park Rangers and Preston North End, and Hull City away. The win came at Sheffield Wednesday, 0-2. So, this season isn’t going exactly as planned, the main reason is their incredible injury list.
They have four players out. Nathan Redmond, Hjalmar Ekdal, Luke Foster and Jordan Beyer. There are some big players in there for sure. However Burnley still sit in fourth on twenty three points before tonight’s game. Only four ahead of the Swans. It’s very much a game the Clarets will want to take something from as they slowly reintroduce their injured players through this month. Most though it seems won’t feature until the very end due to the international break.
To be in fourth with all that is going on behind the scenes is commendable.
Twenty eight year old Josh Brownhill is this seasons top goalscorer with five, and the club have an incredible defensive record, conceding just six this season. They have scored seventeen and have an impressive plus eleven goal difference. Losing at a resurgent Millwall last time out, who then went on to beat Leeds United last night has prompted a few concerns. The Lions now hot on their tails in fifth.
As many know Connor Roberts (below) and Bashir Humphreys are at Burnley. Connor, a Swansea academy product, and Bashir who had an average season on loan at the Swans last season. Injury permitting they will most certainly feature on Sunday afternoon. It is an opportunity for Luke Williams and his Swansea side to push on after two victories on the bounce, and impressive ones at that. Williams knows this is the springboard he has talked about all season, and has to take advantage of it.
There won’t be any inclusion for key players, Eom and Ollie Cooper. Both have many weeks of rehabilitation ahead, especially Ollie. They are a big miss for sure. Ollie either starting or coming on from the bench can add tenacity to any game. Again there’s no news on Sam Parker and Josh Ginnelly is looking more and more like he will return next year, if all goes well. Kristian Pedersen was in the squad for the home win against Watford, but didn’t feature as was Aimar Govea. Andy Fisher, despite being the Swans number two goalkeeper before his injury is still in rehab.
The good news is Josh Tymon returns from suspension, the bad news is if Gonçalo Franco picks up another yellow card he will be out for the first fixture after the international break against Leeds United. That is a concern, after this game he has a few weeks to mend from the targeted and cynical fouling on him which goes pretty much ignored. The same can be said for Ronald as well. Both will have time at Fairwood as neither will play during the break for their countries.
Ollie Cooper misses out on Wales selection but Joe Allen, Liam Cullen and Ben Cabango are in the squad. The Swans may believe they have a chance in this fixture, especially if the form they are in continues.
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