Darren Pratley has brushed off suggestions of a midfield crisis at the Liberty ahead of the big derby with Cardiff City

The Swansea City midfielder believes that the squad has enough strength in depth to still beat Cardiff despite being without Ferrie Bodde, Jordi Gomez and quote possibly Leon Britton ahead of the league meeting.

Victory for the Swans will lift them to a season high position of 6th and Pratley believes that is within their grasp despite the doom and gloom that seems to have overshadowed the build up in the last seven days.

“It can get frustrating people always talking about who is missing and saying we are a weak team without certain players,” he told Wales on Sunday.

“We just have to show them that isn’t the case.

“We know it and we have proved we are not a one-man team on several occasions. It will be good to do it again.

“The midfield played a big part when we beat Cardiff in the cup.

“But, while we will only have one of those three available at best, we have other players that will come in and do just as good a job.

“Ferrie is one of the best players in the Championship and Jordi is definitely capable of playing at a higher level.

“So they will both be big losses to us, as will Leon Britton. But I don’t think we rely on individuals. We have won big games without them before and we will do it again.

“We just have to move on now. There are 11 other players out there and we can compete with anyone on our day.

“To be back and playing in the South Wales derby, in front of a full house, will mean a lot to me,” he said.

“I’ve been looking forward to this game for a long time.

“You want to play in those big games everyone is talking about. It hurt missing the cup win and I don’t want that again.

“Everywhere you go here people are talking about this game. To win and give them the bragging rights would mean a lot. It would be a great three points for us as well. We would overtake them in the league and probably go into a play-off spot.

“So it’s a lot more than just a game, especially being on our own patch.

“Losing to anyone at home would be upsetting for us, but obviously Cardiff would be that little bit worse.”

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