Swansea City host Blackburn Rovers in search of a must-needed win

‘We need to trust the process. No manager ends January happy, and I certainly come under that category.”

Russell Martin’s Swansea City have not troubled the scoring charts in 450 minutes of Championship football. With the visit of high-flying Blackburn Rovers next up, the Swans will certainly be fearing the worst.

With Tuesday’s loss to Luton Town emanating boos and frustration from the home faithful, the Swans boss will be looking for a rejuvenation in this fixture.

Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray has done a simply remarkable job at the Lancashire club. From League One to the top of the second tier, the strides they have made under the Yorkshireman have been magnificent.

Team News

With Kyle Naughton expected to sit out this match through injury, Ryan Manning is likely to drop back into Swansea’s defensive three. Joel Latibeaudiere appears most likely to deputise at left wing-back, while Joel Piroe may return in place of Michael Obafemi.

Given the lack of time between travelling back from South America and this game, Ben Brereton Diaz is unlikely to be considered for a spot in the Blackburn starting 11.

Sam Gallagher will miss this contest after coughing up blood during the Luton game, leaving Mowbray to hope that Reda Khadra recovers from a hamstring injury.

Giles will almost certainly be handed his debut as a replacement for left wing-back Tayo Edun, who is carrying an ankle problem, while Ryan Hedges is available after joining from Aberdeen.

Stats

Blackburn possess the sixth best away record in the Championship, whilst the Swans have only collected 13 points from 14 home games.

Swansea have won three of their last four against Rovers at the Swansea.com Stadium, including a 2-0 win last season.

Blackburn are looking to record a double over Swansea for the first time in 38 years, winning both fixtures in the 1983/84 season.

Rovers have also only scored twice so far this year despite accumulating eight points, their worst goal scoring run since 2005 at the start of a year.

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