CARVALHAL: WE HAVE NO FEAR

CARLOS CARVALHAL insists Swansea won’t fear going to St James’ Park.

Carvalhal takes his team to Newcastle this afternoon as he looks to lift the Welsh strugglers off the foot of the Premier League table.

The Portuguese boss downed the Toon twice on home turf when in charge of Sheffield Wednesday and believes his new team can thrive in the North East.

“Newcastle is a nice environment, it is one I like and I enjoyed a lot having the opportunity to take a team there twice. I don’t think it is intimidating,” said Carvalhal.

“It is a good ground, but we must look at this game and this situation as an opportunity for the players to show their abilities, their quality. We must not see it as a threat or something negative.

“It is the opposite. It is positive, it is a chance for us to try and play football and fight for the three points.”

Carvalhal won 1-0 at Newcastle with Wednesday in a League Cup clash in September 2015. He followed that with a repeat scoreline on Boxing Day a year later. Swansea loanees Tammy Abraham (hip) and Renato Sanches (hamstring) are doubts to face Newcastle.

Connor Roberts ( above, top) is in contention to make his Premier League bow at right-back with Kyle Naughton suspended and Angel Rangel injured.

Ki Sung-yueng and Leon Britton are back in training and Leroy Fer (above, bottom) is available after his red card in the FA Cup draw at Wolves was rescinded.

“My record against Newcastle does not mean we have an advantage for this game. It does not make us favourites,” added Carvalhal.

“But to win a game like this you have to be organised and your attitude and commitment must be strong.

“At the same time we must be confident in our ability. When we have the ball we must play our game, if we want to bring points home.”