Monday 3 April 2017 19:33, UK
Paul Clement has faith in Swansea’s record signing Borja Baston as he prepares to be without top-scorer Fernando Llorente for Wednesday’s clash with Tottenham.
Borja has started only four league matches since joining from Atletico Madrid last August and has had only 39 minutes of Premier League action since Clement was appointed in January.
He named Jordan Ayew in his line-up over Borja in the goalless draw with Middlesbrough as he became the first Swansea manager not to make a single substitution in a Premier League game.
And with Llorente out due to an ankle injury, Clement insists he trusts Spaniard Borja to make an impact.
He said: "I have faith in Borja. If I didn't, I wouldn't even put him on the bench.
"I've put him on the bench because in a given moment he can have an impact.
"My job as coach is to decide who's going to have the bigger impact, those on the pitch or those coming on from the bench.
"Borja is training very well and Oliver McBurnie has been involved again.
"They have to be ready for the opportunity when I call upon them. That could be on Wednesday or on Saturday."
The former Chelsea and Real Madrid assistant coach defended his decision not to make any changes as the Swans laboured to a draw against Steve Agnew's side, who have not won a league game since December 17.
The result leaves the Welsh club one place and one point above the relegation zone with eight games left to play.
"At half-time, we spoke about what we could do and we were always talking and thinking about potential changes," Clement added.
"That went on all the way through the second half until the final five minutes, and I was close to doing something.
"But, based on what I saw, we were tight enough at the back and creating enough chances and we were getting into the right areas. So that is the reason I did not change.
"Sometimes you can look back and think you made a mistake, but in this situation I feel comfortable I didn't make any changes."
