Western Mail

Who’s next off the captaincy rank?

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SWANSEA City are set to have a different captain for the first time under Paul Clement when they head to Vicarage Road to face Watford today.

Midfielder Jack Cork has been the man to wear the armband in every game since head coach Clement was appointed in the first days of January.

But the 27-year-old has not recovered from an ankle injury sustained at West Ham, and he will be sidelined when Swansea go in search of a first win in six Premier League games at Vicarage Road, as well as a timely boost in their battle to avoid relegation. With Cork absent, we take a look at the men who could be handed the responsibi­lity against the Hornets. Leon Britton Club stalwart Britton is the obvious candidate to fill in. The 34-year-old and Cork have acted as co-captains this season. Britton has been captain when selected, with Cork taking the leadership role otherwise.

Clement has spoken with admiration of Britton’s attitude and applicatio­n, even though the veteran playmaker has not played a minute of football under the head coach.

He understand­s probably better than any other player in the squad what Premier League survival would mean to the club and the surroundin­g area but, given his lack of game time, will Clement be prepared to put him straight into the side? Lukasz Fabianski The Poland internatio­nal has not had the easiest of seasons behind a defence that has leaked goals at a steady rate throughout the season, but he is one of the senior dressing room figures in terms of leadership and experience.

Captained Arsenal during his time at the Emirates and he is a vocal presence on the field and is a guaranteed first-choice in Clement’s line-up.

Despite the stats, he has been in decent form and was the best performer in the defeat at West Ham. Gylfi Sigurdsson The Iceland internatio­nal is Swansea City’s best player, a guaranteed starter and puts in a tremendous amount of work. Indeed, he was recently top of the standings for ground covered by any Premier League player this season.

Has led by example for much of the season but he has not been as influentia­l during the recent poor run, and Clement may be tempted not to place any sort of restrictio­n on his key man and give him the freedom to play his natural game. Wayne Routledge Aside from Britton, the winger is the most experience­d player on this list and is another strong figure in the dressing room who has the respect of his team-mates and head coach Clement, who has praised his tactical discipline and given the go-ahead on a contract extension for the 32-year-old.

Captained the Swans during pre-season, is maybe not the most vocal of players but, when he speaks, those around him listen.

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