Phil Sumbler
When your side is sat in the top six of the Championship and you have picked up 19 points from the last 24 available the thing you want more than anything is happy selection dilemmas and that is exactly what Russell Martin will be faced with on Tuesday evening.
The Swans trip to Preston represents the first of four final games before the Championship takes a break for the World Cup and it means that the Swans boss has some decisions to make.
Wing back Ryan Manning came back into the squad on Saturday and was a substitute in the second half as we fought back to get a point at Bristol City and he will certainly be in consideration for a return to the starting line up with the wing back positions the biggest challenge at the moment of the recent run.
And that brings Armstrong Oko-Flex into consideration as he gave a twenty minute appearance on Saturday that could also see him considered for a start at Deepdale as his loan spell from West Ham starts to gather some momentum.7
Saturday’s draw at Ashton Gate was the first of five games in fifteen days for the Swans and that run of fixtures is almost certain to see some mixing up of the pack for games as Martin – along with every Championship manager at the moment – tries to get the best out of the squad that they have available.
And this brings us to Joel Piroe who has now sat out his three match suspension following his moment of madness in the defeat at Burnley. Piroe missed the wins over Reading and Cardiff as well as Saturday’s game but will come back into the squad ahead of the trip to the North West. He seems unlikely though to come straight back into the starting line up but it is anticipated he will play at least a part on Tuesday evening.
Jamie Paterson was another one who returned as a substitute at the weekend and he will also be available for the midweek clash adding another selection choice to the mind of Martin who is now seeing – Joe Allen excepted – almost his full squad available, something which has been a rarity for him this season.
As far as Allen is concerned, Martin admitted Friday he was unlikely to feature before the World Cup and whilst he is still anticipated to be part of Rob Page’s squad his lack of match fitness should be a concern ahead of Wales’ return to the biggest stage for the first time since 1958.
“I don’t think Joe will be playing for us before the World Cup. We’re being honest about that,” Martin said.
“We’re taking the Swansea City hat off and all our focus now is on Joe and getting him ready to play on the biggest stage with his country.
“Everyone at the club is focusing on getting him ready for the World Cup. If we can do that, and he does well for Wales, that’s a benefit for us as a club when he comes back.
“It’s always about the player and the person first. He’ll be giving everything he’s got – as will we – to get him to Qatar.”
