Swansea City handed injury boost ahead of Watford clash | OneFootball

Swansea City will be able to call upon the services of experienced defender Kyle Naughton when they make the trip to Watford on Wednesday night after he suffered an injury scare at the weekend against West Brom.

Naughton managed to complete the whole game in what ended up being a 3-2 win for the Swans at The Hawthorns, but he had to contend with his issue for a long time, having picked up a shoulder problem in the first half.

The 33-year-old was a doubt heading into a tough encounter with the Hornets tomorrow evening, but Russell Martin’s assistant Matt Gill has confirmed that Naughton has recovered in time to be able to start and keep up his record of playing in every single league games so far in the 2022-23 season.

Quiz: Did Swansea City win, draw or lose the last time they played at these 18 stadiums?

1 of 18

Anfield

W D L

There will be definite absences for two attacking players though in the form of Liam Cullen and Jamie Paterson, whilst a late decision will be made on the inclusion of Joe Allen.

The 72-cap Wales international came off after half an hour of Swansea’s 3-0 win over Hull City before the international break owing to a hamstring injury and he was not in the squad for the victory against the Baggies, but he will be given every chance to prove his fitness before a decision is made.

The Verdict

As an ever-present in Swansea’s side this season, Naughton’s absence would have been a big blow ahead of facing a very attacking side.

Watford showed what they are going to be all about under Slaven Bilic when they trounced Stoke City 4-0 at the Bet365 Stadium on Sunday, so Swansea could be in for a long night, even with Naughton fit.

The former Tottenham Hotspur defender has been a reliable figure for a number of years in South Wales, and as of recent times he’s been able to convert himself from a flying full-back to someone who is comfortable in a back three in a more central role.

He faces his toughest task of the season yet though as a result of being passed fit, as he has to deal with the likes of Ismaila Sarr, Joao Pedro and Keinan Davis.