Swans plan to keep distance as Ayew and Celina battle for fitness
SWANSEA City boss Steve Cooper says the club is going to have to be “more careful” with fan interaction amid the coronavirus outbreak in the UK.
Wales now has two confirmed cases, with the first being announced last Friday – in Swansea – and another being confirmed in Cardiff today. Speaking ahead of Swansea’s Championship clash on Saturday against West Brom, Cooper addressed how the club was adapting to COVID-19.
Cooper said: “I am not a medical person so I’m not going to give any medical advice to the public of Swansea apart from to say we are following guidelines led by our medical team.
“I guess the only thing to mention is, and it’s not just a Swansea City thing, is there have been some guidelines sent around about being careful how much you interact with the supporters in terms of selfies, autographs, and just general building relationships – we have to be a little bit more careful around that, which sounds awful to say because we want to be interacting with the public.
“A lot of our work should be built on the relationship with the fans, but they are the guidelines so if there is any less contact with the public than what we would normally do, particularly on match days, then I apologise in advance. We’ve just been following guidelines.
“We’re the same as the rest of the country, really, we’ve got a strong medical team here and being governed by them.”
It comes as the EFL today confirmed they are remaining in close contact with the UK Government over the outbreak.
“The EFL remains in close contact with the Government regarding the ongoing concerns posed by the coronavirus,” an EFL spokesman said.
“We will continue that dialogue, alongside monitoring the advice issued by the relevant authorities, ensuring clubs are updated with any developments.”
Meanwhile Cooper has revealed that Andre Ayew and Bersant Celina are major injury doubts for the visit of West Brom this weekend.
Ayew picked up a kick in the game against Blackburn last week and has not been able to train this week as a result.
Celina had been struggling with illness, but has now developed a further problem.
“Andre is struggling, he needed some attention at Blackburn and has not been on the grass this week yet,” said the Swans boss at his press briefing.
“We have not completely ruled him out yet, because you give those players every chance you can to be ready for the game.
“But we are going to have to plan for being with or without him.
“He has been excellent with his performances and his commitment to what we are trying to do.
“It will be a blow if he misses out, but it’s a squad game and we have players ready to go and - if we call on them - we will give them the best chance to play well.
“Like I say, we are not ruling Andre out, but we have to be realistic in terms of who will be available.”
Celina, meanwhile, is now suffering from a pelvic issue.
“Bersant is struggling with a pelvis problem he has been carrying for a little while, but it’s flared up,” added Cooper.
“There are times it has flared up and he has pulled out of training, and there have been other occasions where he has missed a bit longer like when he missed the Derby game.
“He pulled up in training yesterday and he is still a bit sore today, we are waiting for it to settle down.”
Cooper also revealed his delight at Conor Gallagher’s impact, despite the fact the Chelsea loanee has yet to break his Swans duck.
“I think the numbers paint the real picture. Five assists is it?” Cooper said.
“At the end of the day when you play up the pitch and you are brought in to add value it is around making us score goals.
“I don’t think he is getting the luck he deserves in terms of goal tally. Anyone who sees him play can see how hard he works.
“He is adding value. He is not the loudest lad in the world and there is nothing wrong with that. He has fitted in really well. I know he loves the club and is really happy.”
Top-of-the-table West Brom will be a tough proposition this weekend but the head coach says he isn’t paying much attention to his opponent’s league position.
He said: “You have to play these games whether teams are top or bottom you have to earn the right to win.
“They changed their team completely for the FA Cup and that team could still be competing. They have a lot of Premier League players but we have to focus on ourselves.
“We are at home and they are coming to us.
“We have to be ready to play”