Categories: ChampionshipEFLPreston North EndProst InternationalSwansea City

Struggling Swans go to Preston in must win game

Photo: @SwansOfficial/Twitter

Swansea City play Preston North End at Deepdale in a vital match for two both play-off contenders.

Steve Cooper’s side lost 2-0 away at Stoke City last weekend with former Swan Sam Clucas opening the scoring for the Potters.

Preston look to continue their fine form after beating championship strugglers Barnsley in a convincing 3-0 win at Oakwell last time out.

But with 17 games to go in the season, points are crucial as the swans sit two points from the play-off positions with their next opponents just above them.

Team News

Swansea right-back Connor Roberts is set to miss Saturday’s fixture after being taken off last weekend with a shoulder injury and hasn’t been fully training this week.

Kyle Naughton would be the obvious replacement who is returning from illness over the past week with a virus having missed last weeks game with Stoke.

Billy Bodin and Tom Bayliss will remain on the sidelines after both players have picked up injuries in training and will not be involved in tomorrows game.

Left-back Andrew Hughes could be a possible selection for Alex Neil after coming back from a month long injury to play in the Lancashire cup mid week.

Steve Cooper:

“Kyle is fine after missing last week’s game with a virus,” said the Swans boss.

“But he returned to training when we were back in at the start of the week, so he is fine. Connor has been off training for most of the week.

“He obviously injured his should, he is not completely ruled out for the weekend.

“But it has not completely healed so we will monitor that as we go along.”

Alex Neil:

“It is always nice to come off the back of a couple of good results; particularly where you have a few spare days in there to prepare for the next on.”

“The atmosphere off the back of that has been good and everyone is up for this game, which is going to be a big one.

“I have seen quite a bit of Swansea, but it was good to see then live last weekend at Stoke. They have brought in Gallagher and the left-sided centre back from Chelsea, but the way they play remains the same, it is just different personnel in those positions.”