Carvalhal-inspired revival puts Swansea’s opponents on notice

LEICESTER City are well aware of the threat Swansea City pose in Saturday’s Premier League clash following wins over Liverpool and Arsenal in their past two games, defender Ben Chilwell said.

The relegation-threatened Welsh club climbed to 19th in the league after a 3-1 victory over sixth-placed Arsenal in midweek. The result at the Liberty Stadium followed another home win over the in-form Liverpool last week.

“Swansea won their last two matches against good opposition so we know the threats they cause and we know they’re probably really confident at the moment,” Chilwell told the club’s website.

“They’re still low in the table and they’re struggling to stay in the league, so they’ll be hungry for that win again to keep their good run of form so they’re on the up.”

Swansea struggled for consistency in the first half of the season and sacked manager Paul Clement in December after a poor run of results.

His replacement Carlos Carvalhal appears to have lifted the gloom at the club.

They have won consecutive league games for the first time this season and have collected 10 points from a possible 15 since Carvalhal took charge in December.

“It’ll be good for them and their confidence going into the match after two wins.

“They’ll definitely go into the game thinking they can get three points,” Chilwell said.

Leicester have also seen an upswing in their fortunes since Frenchman Claude Puel took over from Craig Shakespeare in October.

However, the eighth-placed team come into the game on the back of a 2-1 defeat by Everton.

“But we think we can get three points as well, especially at home. We’re confident we can beat them,” Chilwell added. ● Liverpool’s Adam Lallana is a doubt for tomorrow's Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur with the club not willing to risk aggravating the midfielder’s muscle injury, manager Juergen Klopp said.

England international Lallana sustained a serious thigh injury in pre-season and has struggled for fitness, featuring only seven times for the club in all competitions this season.

The latest setback has kept Lallana out of Liverpool’s last two matches, against West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup and Huddersfield Town in the league.

“It’s really unlucky,” Klopp told the club’s website (www. liverpoolfc.com).

“It was a serious injury in the summer. Because of Adam’s quality in training, it looks immediately like we can put him in, but physical-wise he’s not fit.

“The two things that happened after his big injury were in the 10 or 15 minutes after he came on. From nil to 100 in a second, and that’s maybe what caused the problem.”

● Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has signed a new contract to extend his stay in north London, the Premier League club said on Thursday.

The 29-year-old Germany international confirmed on Twitter that he had agreed a three-and-a-half year deal.

“It’s been one of the most important decisions of my footballing career and that’s why I had to think hard and talk to everyone who’s important to me,” Ozil said.

Ozil’s contract had been due to expire at the end of the season.

“Good things take time. In the end, I let my heart decide. As I always said, I feel at home here and I’m highly motivated to achieve big things in the next few years. Once a Gunner, always a Gunner.” — Reuters

Ben Chilwell