We’re fit, firing and hoping we can make history – Martin
RUSSELL Martin has a fully-fit squad to choose from for the south Wales derby, with Flynn Downes and Jamie Paterson available for Swansea City.
Downes and Paterson missed the draw with Birmingham before the international break, after picking up minor muscle issues.
But they have fully recovered and are in contention to face Cardiff, with the suspended Ryan Manning set to be the only absentee for the Swans.
“Everyone is fit, we are all good,” said head coach Martin.
“The international boys have come back well, we have had some good time on the training pitch.
“Ben Cabango, Ryan Manning and Nathanael Ogbeta all played, which is great for them, so there has been a real positive feel to the week.
“Both Flynn and Pato are fine, they have trained all week. They had some time off to recover and get on top of things, but they are ready and it is massive as they are two hugely important players for us.
“They bring a lot of energy and give the other players confidence; they make those around them better with their presence.
“We missed them for sure, but we are really pleased to have them available.
“We have had a good balance of working hard, getting tactical work in and putting the game into emotional context for the players. The challenge is for us to go and produce a performance everyone can be proud of.
“It’s an opportunity to be really excited about for everyone connected with the club.
Martin says he and his Swansea City players are desperate to put smiles on faces and create south Wales derby history.
The Swans travel to face Cardiff City having won the reverse fixture 3-0 earlier in the season, thanks to goals from Paterson, Joel Piroe and Jake Bidwell. It means they are in position to complete the first league double in the 110-year history of the derby; with the clubs having been in the same division on 33 occasions during that period.
Head coach Martin relished his first experience of the fixture back in October, and is excited about the opportunity the Swans have when they head to Cardiff City Stadium.
“We want to put smiles on the faces of our fans, we know what the game means and what it means to win the derby,” Martin added.
“We know the scale of the game, we know we have a chance to make a lot of people very happy.”
Meanwhile, the Swans boss has revealed he was sent a good luck message by Connor Roberts ahead of Swansea City’s trip to Cardiff City.
Moments before he held his prematch press conference at Fairwood, Martin received a text from Welshman and boyhood Swan Roberts.
“I’ve just had a text just before Connor saying he’s thinking of us and he hopes we win,” revealed the head coach.
“I went to the game [Wales v Austria] and saw a couple of Swansea supporters and everyone sent their best wishes. It’s a big game for people from both camps.”
Bookmakers and several pundits have Steve Morison’s side as the slight favourites going into today’s game at Cardiff City Stadium. And while the Bluebirds have improved under their current coaching staff, Martin admits there’s little to choose between the two sides at present.
“They made some brilliant signings in January in terms of improving their squad,” added Martin. “They’ve added athleticism and players back from loans who have really helped them.
“There’s a little bit of a myth about their form and our form. Over 10 games they have one more point than us, but they’ve picked up a lot under Steve.
“There’s very little between the two teams in the last 10 games, nothing between the two teams in the last six games.
“They’ve improved in terms of players, and under Steve, he’s found a way to get them going and get everyone to pull in one direction.”