JOHNSON IS MAGIC
Brewster had to leave Anfield to earn a return
RHIAN BREWSTER knows he is living every kid’s dream when he trains with Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
But the teenage striker admits he had to leave Liverpool to give himself a chance of joining Jurgen Klopp’s star trio in the first team.
Brewster, 19, joined Swansea on loan until the end of the season in search of regular game time. He says the Liberty Stadium is the perfect place to continue his development – and the
Championship: 3pm
ALEX NEIL is thankful Preston’s top scorer Daniel Johnson is back.
A knee injury ruled out the eightgoal Jamaican for six weeks in a spell which has seen Preston slip outside the play-offs.
North End boss Neil said: “He is still our top scorer, which shows how much we only problem for Brewster in his time in Wales so far has been the weather.
Brewster said: “I’ve learned a lot from Sadio, Bobby and Mo. Training with them every day is one of the best things because of the quality they show on and off the ball. It’s second to none.
“If I can learn a little bit from each of them it would be decent, but Jurgen thought a loan would be the best thing for me. It’s the dream to play for Liverpool week-in, week-out, but quite a few teams wanted have missed him. By now he has missed about a third of the games we have played.
“Whenever you have key players out, you are going to miss them.”
Charlton could give a start to former Preston loanee Andre Green, who has joined from Aston Villa. me when I put it out there I wanted to go on loan. “Swansea was the best option for me. They play good football like Liverpool which helps and I’ve found it really good here.
“It’s a lot different to what I’m used to being from London and living up north. It’s very different, but it’s good – quiet and chilled. It’s nice to wake up in the morning and see the beach. It is very cold though I must admit!”
Brewster has reunited with Swans boss Steve Cooper, the man who guided him and England Under-17s to World Cup glory in 2017.
He took home the Golden Boot in that tournament after scoring eight goals while teammates that summer – Chelsea pair Conor Gallagher and Marc Guehi – have also followed him on loan to Swansea.
Brewster said: “It helps with Marc and Conor coming in as well, and I know Yan Dhanda from Liverpool. To be fair they followed me! The vibe I got was Swansea is the best for me and I want to prove that.”
Brewster has played just three times for Liverpool this season, all in cup competitions, but at Swansea he is immediately a key man.
He was thrown in at the deep end in last Sunday’s derby draw with Cardiff and he is set for his home bow against struggling Wigan today.
Brewster added: “I want to score goals, but it’s not about me. I’ve come to help the team get promoted and I will do whatever it takes.”
Rangers loanee Jack Clarke could make his debut against his former club but Yoann Barbet (hamstring) and Charlie Owens (knee) remain out.
Leeds are missing Barry Douglas, who joins Adam Forshaw (hip) and forward Tyler Roberts (hamstring) on the sidelines.
City’s Korey Smith (below) has recovered from a knock but Marley Watkins will not be fit. Tomas Kalas (hamstring) and Nathan Baker (groin) are also out.
Barnsley keeper Sami Radlinger misses out with the illness which has also affected Mike Bahre. Cauley Woodrow is injured.
Millwall midfielder Shaun Williams is banned, so Shane Ferguson could start. Aiden O’Brien is back in training and should be involved.
Reading forward Sone Aluko, back at the club after a loan spell at Beijing Renhe, could be included, along with fit-again George Puscas.
Derby defender Krystian Bielik (knee) is out for the rest of the season. Graeme Shinnie (hamstring), George Evans (thigh) and Max Bird (muscle) are not yet ready to return.
Martin Samuelsen is set to debut for Hull while Callum Elder and Josh Magennis could feature.
New boys Andy King, Emile Smith Rowe and Richard Stearman are in contention for Town. Collin Quaner (hip), Tommy Elphick (knee) and Alex Pritchard (knee) will be assessed. Jonathan Hogg is still suspended.
Halil Dervisoglu could be in line for his Bees’ Championship debut.
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