Top duo in fitness race, but Connor could start
TAMMY Abraham and Renato Sanches are facing a race against time to prove their fitness for Swansea City’s crunch relegation clash with Newcastle United, but full-back Connor Roberts is in contention for his Premier League bow on Tyneside.
New Swans boss Carlos Carvalhal has had a host of injury worries to deal with during his short stint at the helm, but had hoped to see his selection headache eased somewhat ahead of the trip to St James’ Park.
Wilfried Bony and Kyle Bartley made their comebacks from hamstring and knee injuries in the FA Cup draw at Wolves last time out.
Midfielders Leon Britton and Ki Sung-yueng have returned to training this week after calf issues, while Leroy Fer is also in contention after his red card at Molineux was rescinded.
Carvalhal – who has himself been struggling of late with a cold – had also been positive over the prognosis on Abraham and Sanches but, speaking at his pre-match press conference, admitted the two loan signings are doubts to take on Rafael Benitez’s side as they work to recover from hip and hamstring injuries respectively.
“My voice is better, it’s back again,” he joked when asked for the latest injury news.
“I’ve had to use my whistle a lot in training because I could not use my voice and talk, but that’s fine and I am ready for Saturday!
“But the players are more important than me.
“So Renato Sanches is progressing, we are not sure about him and Tammy Abraham for the game.
“We will see on Friday, if they are recovering well as they are doing.
“Leon and Ki are training normally and are progressing in their physical condition.
“Rangel will be out for sometime more and Kyle Naughton is out for a third game of his ban.
“Alfie had a little problem but has recovered so everything is okay.
“With Renato it is not serious, we did a scan and it does not show anything big or anything he is carrying.
“But he is progressing, he is better, as is Tammy and they will recover in a very short time. But we are not sure about Saturday.”
The absence of Naughton through suspension and Rangel with a calf injury saw academy product Roberts make his first-team bow at Wolves.
Carvalhal, who had taken the advice of club icon Alan Curtis to cast his eye over the 22-year-old, was impressed by his display and would have no qualms about turning to Roberts again this weekend, insisting it is ability and not experience that counts most.
“Connor is working very well and he played well last week,” said Carvalhal.
“He is an option, he is training with us in the first-team squad so he can be involved.
“I will tell you I have no problem to put a younger player with less experience in to the team for these games.
“It will not be easy to choose the first XI, we take the decisions to win the game and we are not just looking at a CV for experience or whatever.
“We will look at the things we need in this game and then decide on all the players.
“All the players who are training can play.
“There are three or four under-23 players training, and if they are training they are options. “Connor is one of them.” Carvalhal has won twice at St James’ Park during his career and completed the double over the Magpies last season in the Sky Bet Championship boss of Sheffield Wednesday.
The Swansea manager boss said: “They are sure favourites.
“I was happy with our last three games against them though (as Sheff Wed boss).
“Different things will happen and there are different players.
“Let’s discuss a new game now with different conditions and a different dynamic.
“We must be competitive and fight for the points.
“We will fight for three points, that’s for sure.
“Playing against Rafa is special to us we played them twice last season.
“We have all the information about the teams and the players.
“We know their weak points and they will know ours. In the end, if we are stronger than them in a tough game.”