Rob DaviesThe Swans travel to Bramall Lane to take on Sheffield United this weekend with differing news on the injury front with January signing Nathanael Ogbeta still unavailable according to Russell Martin.
The left back who signed on deadline day is yet to make his debut for the club after joining from Shrewsbury Town for an undisclosed fee with fans eager to see if he can provide the much needed pace that the team has been crying out for all season (or longer).
Martin told the press yesterday: “He (Ogbeta) said it just felt a bit tight, and when we scanned it, it showed up as a bit more significant.
“It looked to be a four-week injury, and he’s about two-and-a-half weeks into that now. He’ll be back on the grass in a couple of weeks.
“It’s frustrating for him and us, but he’s a long-term signing. Hopefully he’ll get plenty of minutes this season to get him fully bedded in and make sure he’s ready for next season.”
Hannes Wolf will again continue in that role this weekend whilst Ryan Bennett is also available for selection after sitting out the 3-1 win against Bristol City last Sunday due to his sending off in the Stoke City horror show.
Kyle Naughton is still a week or so away from returning so it is likely that we will see an unchanged defensive line up from the one which played against the Robins – Ryan Manning, Ben Cabango and last week’s debutant Finley Burns.
Martin told the press ahead of the Sheffield United game: “What an exciting challenge for us. You have to embrace the opportunity.
“We’ve shown on our day we can be a really good team. A team I think who are in the best form in the league [Sheff Utd] it’s a real chance for us to grow and see what we’re capable of.
“There’s no fear. A lot of people outside won’t expect to get too much, but we will. That’s the mentality we’ll have.”
The Swans will be up against a number of their ‘old boys’ in Sheffield United’s ranks with no less than 5 ex players in the Blades squad; worryingly two of those are strikers with a point to prove after unsuccessful seasons, despite prolific periods whilst with the Swans, McBurnie and Brewster.
Let’s hope the expected doesn’t happen…
