Swansea face a defensive injury crisis after Ashley Williams revealed he and Garry Monk are the only fit senior centre-halves.
Williams hoping for no more injuries
Swansea are facing a defensive injury crisis after Ashley Williams revealed he and Garry Monk are the only fit senior centre-halves at the club.
Swans skipper Monk is being pressed into a first appearance of the season against West Brom on Saturday after missing the first four games with a foot injury.
His return coincides with a flurry of other defensive injury drop-outs with Alan Tate, Steven Caulker and Kemy Agustien all facing extended spells on the sidelines.
Swansea boss Brendan Rogers' selection headache was exacerbated still further by the news that deadline day signings Darnel Situ and Rafik Halliche have had their moves blocked after Fifa denied international clearance.
Minimum
Williams admits the lack of defensive cover is a major concern going into the West Brom game but insists he and Monk are raring to go.
"They [Situ and Halliche] were brought in for back up and at times like this you need them. I don't know what went on with the deals as I was away with Wales at the time, but it means we are down to the minimum at centre-half," said the 27-year-old.
"Even in training this week Neil Taylor has cut his head open, and I had tonsilitis last week so I don't know what we have done (to deserve such bad luck).
"If we had another injury then who knows? You'd have to ask the gaffer. I don't want to think about it too much.
"But we have to get on with it and hopefully Monks and myself can stay fit until the guys get back from injury.
"He has trained and has played a few reserve games and we are pleased for him that he will get to play in the Premier League, he deserves that.
"We know each other's game and he is ready. He has been doing my head in this week saying how ready he is.
"I guess he might have liked a bit more time training but he is ready and if he goes in this week he is fit and sharp enough and I am sure he will go well."
Matrix
Williams also praised West Brom striker Shane Long, who played against Swansea in the Championship play-off final last May before making the move to the Hawthorns from Reading over the summer.
"We played against each other three times last season," added Williams.
"He is a good player, he scores goals and has some sort of Matrix-like hang time in the air.
"He scored against Manchester United on his debut, which says it all, and you always thought he was one of the guys who could step up."
