FARKE: ‘OLD’ PUKKI SET TO RETURN

Swansea City v Norwich City

Kick-off 8:15pm

NORWICH manager Daniel Farke is backing Teemu Pukki to rediscover his goalscoring form of two years ago.

Swansea can move to within two points of the Canaries, with a game in hand, if they win tonight’s top-of-thetable clash when Norwich visit.

Pukki (above) was the Championship’s top scorer with 29 in 2018-19, when the Canaries won the title. But he is still searching for his first goals of 2021, and will not be helped this evening by the suspension of creative midfielder Emiliano Buendia.

Looking back two seasons, Farke said: “He was the best player in the Championship. We still have 19 games to go and it is definitely possible for Teemu to score another 18 goals.

“Right now, the schedule is a bit more relentless, he also missed a few games due to injuries. Two years ago, he played nearly each and every minute.

“The more you play, the more likely you are to score. I am actually totally pleased he is already in double figures (11) this term and a key player for us.

“Of course it is easier when he has Emi next to him, who assists most of Teemu’s goals. But we have to step up in the final third as a whole team.”

Swansea will be without new US loan Paul Arriola, who has not arrived into the UK yet from DC United. But newboys Morgan Whittaker and Kieron Freeman are both in contention.

“Paul won’t be with us for a while,” said Swans boss Steve Cooper. “But the other two boys have been in training and the training ground is vibrant.”