BEN’S COVID TEST WAIT
Cooper set to include big Ben for Wycombe clash if he’s virus free
SWANSEA City are awaiting the outcome of a second coronavirus test for Ben Cabango before determining whether or not he’ll be available for Saturday’s contest with Wycombe Wanderers.
The defender missed his side’s 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night after breaching Covid19 rules by allegedly hosting a party at his home last weekend.
Speaking after the triumph over the Owls, Steve Cooper confirmed the Wales international would be punished by the club for his actions.
And ahead of Saturday’s Championship encounter with Wycombe at the Liberty Stadium, Cooper says the Swans are awaiting the green light from Public Health Wales for Cabango to return to training after he gave a negative test the first time around.
“We’ve had to go through the Covid process of making sure that there was no chance of any infection coming in the group,” said the head coach.
“That included a test straight away as we found out about the breach of protocol, and that was followed by another test today, which we haven’t had the results back for yet. If it’s negative it may be possible that he’s able to join us tomorrow.
“We’ll need to know ahead from Public Health Wales. He’s been self isolating in the meantime but we’ve had to go through the timescales of making sure that if there is infection, there’s no chance of bringing it in.”
And when asked if the sanctioning process has taken place, Cooper responded: “No it hasn’t because we haven’t seen him. He hasn’t been able to come back in. When he does come back in we will be speaking to him and take the process from there.”
Swansea have no fresh injury concerns from their win at Sheffield Wednesday - a game in which Wayne Routledge made his second league start of the campaign. The veteran attacker played a key part in his side’s wins over Darren Moore’s men and Millwall as Swansea got their promotion push back on track.
“I can talk for hours on Wayne and so could everybody else and it’d all be really positive,” said Cooper, when asked about Routledge’s influence.
“This season, he’s been a real positive influence on everybody, the staff as well, whether he’s been playing or not. He’s been out for a little while with injury before coming back into the fold recently. He’s had a brilliant career, but as we’ve seen in the last two games, he’s got a contribution to be made. He contributes in so many ways as well. He’s still one of the best trainers. He’s a great bridge between myself and the dressing room and he sees it from both sides because of his age and experience.
“He’s got a massive heart, he wants to give back and he’s doing that while still being able to contribute on the pitch. So I can’t speak highly enough of him as a player and a person. I think the football club has been very lucky to have him.”
STEVE Cooper spoke to the press ahead of tomorrow’s Skybet Championship clash with Wycombe.
Following back-to-back wins over Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday, the Swans will be looking to cement their place in the play-offs against the Chairboys.
Here’s what the Swansea chief had to say.
QUESTION: FEELING POSITIVE AFTER THE LAST TWO GAMES?
Steve Cooper: I think we’ve certainly played well in the last two games. That’s what we were after, better performances. You want to win games by playing well and I feel like we’ve done that, but it’s important that we build on that now.
Q: WHAT’S CHANGED?
SC: We’ve changed formation with the back four. Not too much in front of it, there’s a lot of similarities. It’s hard to put your finger on exactly what’s happened.
You have to give the opposition some credit. I think we’ve just committed to our plan even more and we’ve got back up to the levels that we should be at.
Q: YOU ARE NINE POINTS AHEAD OF READING – SEVEN OFF WATFORD – WHICH WAY ARE YOU LOOKING?
SC: I just think you’ve got to win games. We’re aware of those things, but unless you win games along the way, then the situation doesn’t change for the better. That’s what we’ve got to do. There’s only five games left and there’s a bit of a gap to second place, but it’s not impossible, and until it is, we’ll be fighting. If you do that, below you doesn’t get any worse. But I go back to, we’ve just got to win games. That’s where the focus is.
Q: YOU PLAY WATFORD BEFORE THE END OF THE SEASON TOO?
SC: It’s not that far away, but there’s still a lot of football to be played between now and then. We’re just fully focused on getting a plan right for Wycombe and building on the last two games.
Q: WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM WYCOMBE (WHO ARE BOTTOM OF THE TABLE)?
SC: They’re not written off by me and the players. I think every time you see them play, they’re a team that have had some good results of late.
We’ll give them 100% respect and realise that you’ve got to do certain parts of the game really well to win and that’ll be no different on Saturday.
We’re happy to be back at home after two away games and I want to commit to this game like any other game.
Q: WILL BEN CABANGO BE AVAILABLE?
SC: No, not at the moment (in training). We’ve had to go through the Covid process of making sure there was no infection coming in the group. That included a test straight away as we found out about the breach of protocol, followed by another test today. If it’s negative he may be able to join us tomorrow. He’s been selfisolating in the meantime but we’ve had to go through the timescales of if there is infection, there’s no chance of bringing it in.
Q: HAVE SANCTIONS BEEN COMPLETED?
SC: No, it hasn’t because we haven’t seen him. He hasn’t been able to come back in. When he does come back in we will be speaking to him and take the process from there.
Q: ANY TEAM NEWS FOR THE WYCOMBE GAME?
SC: Nothing from the other night. Three-game week you have to be careful with everybody really. The lads are in a good place. Liam Cullen is making good progress. He’s not quite ready to play games yet but he’s come back ahead of schedule which is a great credit to the medical team and how Liam has committed to his rehab. Steven Benda has played for the under-23s on Tuesday.
Q: WAYNE ROUTLEDGE IS CLOSING IN ON 300TH CLUB APPEARANCE
SC: I can talk for hours on Wayne. It’d be really positive. This season, he’s been a real positive influence on everybody, the staff as well, whether he’s been playing or not. He’s had a brilliant career, it’s still going but of course it’s at the latter part, but as we’ve seen in the last two games, he’s got a contribution to be made.
He contributes in so many ways as well. He’s still one of the best trainers. He’s a great bridge between myself and the dressing room. He’s got a massive heart, he wants to give back and he’s doing that while still being able to contribute on the pitch.
So, I can’t speak highly enough of him as a player and a person. He’s a real diamond, Wayne. But it’s not over yet, he’ll decide when that day comes.
Q: HOW LONG CAN HE CARRY ON?
SC: I haven’t had that conversation with him. He’s in great shape. You see Luka Modric playing in the week at the highest level, there are loads of players around the leagues.
There’s more support than ever now to keep going for longer, and Wayne is such a committed guy in terms of how he looks after himself.
He’s a real diamond, Wayne. But it’s not over yet, he’ll decide when that day comes,” added Cooper.
Me and Wayne speak regularly, daily to be honest.
I don’t think mine and his relationship is a typical player-head coach relationship.
I see him as a little bit in between us and the players.
There’s nothing to talk about publicly on that front [contract]. Whenever anybody’s contract is up there’s always ‘what’s next?’ but I don’t think now is the time to be talking about that.
Fans love him. I love him, as a guy and certainly as a player. I think we need to have that conversation first before we look at what’s next.”