Ayew to sit it out following setback

SWANSEA City forward Andre Ayew is set to miss Saturday’s Championship clash against Derby County.

The 31-year-old has suffered a “slight setback” in his recovery from a hamstring injury, says Swans boss Steve Cooper, who hopes to have the player available for the playoffs.

Swansea have already secured a top-six finish.

Ayew was on the bench for Swansea away to Reading on Sunday after he picked up the injury playing against Wycombe Wanderers earlier in the month.

He came on after an hour of the 2-2 draw at Reading.

“It’s nothing too serious and he won’t be in doubt for the play-off games,” Cooper told the BBC.

“There are a few others who have been nursing over-use injuries and wear and tear if you like - there just hasn’t been any let-up. It’s been heavy.

“Don’t get me wrong, we’re not working for the NHS or digging up roads. It’s not the worst life in the world but in our domain it’s been a really, really heavy schedule and that’s why I think the players deserve a lot of credit.

“We haven’t got the biggest squad and we’ve been light in some positions throughout the season but we haven’t let it affect us.”

Swansea’s final two games before the play-offs see them take on Derby at home and Watford away.

“We still want to win the next two games,” said Cooper.

“The league position you finish in will have an effect on your play-offs because our league is so unpredictable and I said at the weekend that if you assume you get the opposite.

“But we want to use the remainder of the domestic campaign and the lead into the play-off games as a productive period and be the best we can be.”