Llorente in race against time to be fit for huge Spurs clash
Fernando Llorente is “touch and go” to feature in Swansea City’s midweek tussle with Tottenham Hotspur, Paul Clement has revealed.
The Spaniard missed Swansea’s goalless draw with Middlesbrough on Sunday with an ankle injury, which will restrict him to a substitute’s role, at best, as Clement’s troops face high-flying Spurs.
The Swans are hovering a solitary point above the drop zone, without a win in three matches.
World Cup winner Llorente, 32, was sorely missed against Boro as the Swans sent in 46 crosses but still drew a blank.
Jordan Ayew, who offers different qualities up front to the powerful Spaniard, struggled in his stead but may well start again versus Mauricio Pochettino’s men.
Clement confirmed his 11-goal striker was fighting to regain fitness with a tough schedule ahead.
“Llorente is still touch and go for this game, it is possible and I cannot say more than that,” said the Swansea manager.
“He has responded well to treatment.
“Tomorrow is going to be tight but it is possible. I think the weekend is more realistic.
“It will be difficult for him to start tomorrow.
“I don’t think he would be 100 per cent fit as he has not been training. We have to look at him maybe making an impact from the bench, otherwise we have more time to prepare for West Ham.
“It won’t drag on, it is a minor thing. He was comfortable to train with it, but it has settled down and hopefully he is back shortly.”
Clement is only too aware of how big a hole Llorente’s absence leaves him with up front.
“He played first half at Hull and he is an important player, he is a top goalscorer and has been influential since I have been here,” added the Swans boss.
“He had good service and there were good crosses on Sunday he would have looked forward to and he said after the game he had wished he was out there to get on the end of them.”
Clement also denied claims he’s lost faith in £15million record signing Borja Baston who was left on the bench against Boro. Borja hasn’t started a game since Clement’s appointment in January.
“I have faith in Borja, he would not be on the bench if I did not. I think he can have an impact,” added the boss.
“I have to decide if guys on the bench can make a different. Borja is training well and (Oliver) McBurnie was involved again and they have to be ready for the opportunity and that could be Wednesday or Saturday.”
Borja was not alone in being left to kick his heels on the bench against Boro; Clement left many Swans fans scratching their heads by choosing not to introduce any substitutes during Sunday’s frustrating encounter with fellow strugglers Boro.
But he was quick to outline his reasoning for not changing it up, explaining that he felt the Swans side that played out the clash was very close to breaking the deadlock.
“At half-time we spoke about what we could do and we were always thinking about potential changes,” added Clement. “That went on all the way until the final five minutes.
“We were close to doing something but based on what I saw, we were tight at the back and creating enough chances and getting into good areas, so that is the reason I did not change.
“Sometimes you can think you made a mistake, in this instance I feel comfortable.”
As for the huge challenge presented by Spurs, Clement was full of praise for his opposite number, Mauricio Pochettino.
“Pochettino has done a great job. They play good football, they are very exciting and create lots of chances, they have players performing to their full potential,” continued Clement.
“My concern is more at our end of the table and it will be interesting – they need to come here and win and it is very important for us because we really need points.”
Striker light: Who should Swans turn to? Page 42