Swansea v Derby preview

Monk worry for Swans, mixed news for Rams

Last updated: 20th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Swansea v Derby preview

Monk: Unlikely to play

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Swansea City could be missing captain Garry Monk for the visit of Derby County, who can call on Rob Hulse and Paul Connolly.

Monk has suffered a recurrence of the calf injury which kept him out of the South Wales derby victory against Cardiff and is unlikely to face the Rams.

Former Southend midfielder Mark Gower also missed out against the Bluebirds and is yet to fully recover from a back problem.

Alan Tate will captain the side if Monk is ruled out and will slot in at centre-half alongside Ashley Williams, with Fede Bessone filling in for Tate at left-back.

Nathan Dyer replaced Gower for the Cardiff clash and the former Southampton winger would have a case for starting regardless of whether Gower is passed fit after scoring against Dave Jones' side.

Boss Paulo Sousa could opt to rest midfielder Joe Allen, who was away with Wales Under-21s in midweek, with Andrea Orlandi waiting in the wings to replace him.

Derby news

Derby boss Nigel Clough has received mixed news on the injury front ahead of the Friday night trip to the Liberty Stadium.

Striker Hulse and full-back Connolly have been declared fit to play after recovering from groin and foot injuries respectively.

Miles Addison, Paul Green and Jay McEveley are also available to play after coming through the game against Coventry City before the international break unscathed.

However, Clough is without several players, including Kris Commons and Steven Davies, who are still sidelined with hamstring problems.

Jake Buxton, Ruben Zadkovich, Chris Porter, Mark O'Brien, Ben Pringle, Giles Barnes and Mitch Hanson are also missing.

Experienced midfielder Lee Hendrie, who is back in training after a hamstring injury, will also sit out the game after his wife gave birth on Thursday.

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