Michael Duff has more injury concerns for todays game against Plymouth Argyle. Ben Cabango who limped off during the 2-1 victory over Norwich City on Wednesday night is rated as very ‘doubtful’ That means Duff could be without another central defender as the injury list grows.
Nathan Wood is already out until the new year and this latest blow along with left sided defender Kristian Pedersen just adds to Duff’s off the field woes. Despite Jerry Yates making the Norwich game he is still feeling his two dead legs from last weekend. However, he is expected to play. Cabango has been solid in the Swans defence, and his potential omission means Bashir Humphreys could start in a central pairing with Harry Darling. Josh Key is expected on the right side of the defence with Josh Tymon filling in on the left.
Duff said yesterday. "There’s nothing we can do if he is injured, we have got cover. We have Bashir who moved there the other night. Kyle Naughton is back fit now and we have capable replacements. We are thin, but we have players ready to step in. If there is nothing in Ben’s scan he will be available for us, but we are still waiting on things. Kristian will not be ready for the weekend, but he will be back for the Leicester game, it’s just a small injury, but it was a 10-day to two-week injury, which means he misses out.”
Fortunately the signings made by the recruitment department means there is back up, and we shouldn’t forget that as mentioned by Duff, he has Kyle Naughton who is back and fit, he could play some part. In midfield Duff is expected to rely on Jamie Paterson, Charlie Patino and Captain Matt Grimes with Liam Cullen playing further forward on the right and Jamal Lowe on the left. Jerry Yates will be the main attacker. There are options with Ollie Cooper fit and Liam Walsh looking to make a contribution as well. A more dogged midfield would mean Jay Fulton could be a consideration, however that does impede the Swans attacking abilities.
Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher has a lot of respect for Duff. He said in his press call: "I really like Michael. I get on really well with him. He has had some good success. He did a brilliant job at Cheltenham and then went into Barnsley and in one year got them playing exactly how he wanted them to play. They were so unlucky in the play-off final. I went and watched that game live, and even going down to ten men they were brilliant throughout the whole game” The recent upturn in form for the Swans brings with it a higher degree of expectation amongst the 1,700 travelling Jacks who will fill the away end. Plymouth Argyle have now announced the game is a complete sell out.
This is the first league meeting between the Pilgrims and the Swans for thirteen years. The fixture always sparks the memory bank for the older Swans fan of 1979 when both sides fought out a 2%2 draw. The following Friday the Swans were promoted to the old division 2.
Our match day guide offers a couple of good meeting spots for the Jack Army.
That’s here —> PAFC v Swans Match Day Info
That game in 1979 —> PAFC v Swans 1979