Leon Britton has most definitely not given up hope of appearing in today's South Wales derby

The Swansea City midfielder was given only a "10 per cent" chance of being fit for the game having suffered back problems over the past week or so.

Britton missed Tuesday's draw with Coventry at the Ricoh and was effectively ruled out of this game soon afterwards but Britton has revealed that his salt treatment is payting dividends and he wants to make today's fixture

Speaking to News of the World, Britton said "I've tried a lot of things to sort out my back problem.

"I've had acupuncture, massages and seen an oesteopath.   I've also been using a flotation tank and that has really helped.  It's a tank full of salt water and you end up floating as if you're in the Dead Sea.  I've got to lie on my back for one hour.  It's a strange feeling but very relaxing.  It relaxes all the muscles in my body including those in my back.

"It's so relaxing you end up falling asleep.   Apparantely an hours sleep in the tank is the equivalent to four hours sleep in bed.  I've been to the tank three days in the last week and each time I've come out feeling good.  My back has been feeling better with each day.

"For a couple of days after the Birmingham game I was struggling to walk because my back was so stiff.   Now I'm walking fine without any pain.  I'm feeling good.

"Fingers crossed my back is respoonding to all the treatment.  When I cam off against Birmingham I didn't think the injury was too serious.  But when I went for the scan the following morning I did start to worry.   I started to think it might be disc damage and that I would be out for two or three months.   When the doctors told me it was just a ligament strain I was so relieved.

"I really want to play against Cardiff because it's a massive game.   If being involkved means putting up wiht a little but of pain then so be it.

"To be honest I've played a couple of games this season when my back wasn't 100 per cent right and it didn't affect my performance.  Obviously if I feel I might let the boys down then I'm not going to risk it.  I'll probably have an anti-inflamatory injection before the game to help relax the muscles.  We'll just see how it goes."

Photo: Action Images

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