The latest word on Josh Key is that his injury, believed to be thigh-related, will take longer to recover from than first expected. He underwent a second scan on Thursday afternoon, which resulted in him being unavailable for Saturday’s win at Lincoln City.

You could tell from Swans head coach Vitor Matos’s pre-match interview on Thursday that things were not going well for Josh.

What we do know is that right-backs face repeated bursts of sprinting in training and during matches as they overlap in attack and recover to defend, placing considerable demands on their hamstrings. FA medical research identifies wide players, including full-backs, as among those affected by hamstring injuries. That makes the position one to watch when fixtures pile up.

Of course, it also comes down to the individual. However, Sam Parker and Josh Key have both endured some unfortunate spells in that position. When you consider the repeated bursts of acceleration, both forwards and backwards, it is easy to see how the physical demands can take their toll.

The Swans are well aware that any injury to Filip Lissah (below), who will no doubt find himself at right-back, would be a cause for serious concern in October.

There is a plan.

Stephen Welsh (below) has played at right-back before, and not just on a handful of occasions. He has made a wonderful start to the season, and most Swans fans would prefer to see him remain at centre-back. However, we are told that moving him across will almost certainly be the back-up plan.

Then there is the option of bringing in on-loan Jenson Seelt alongside Ben Cabango in central defence.

With those options available, the situation is perhaps not as concerning as it first appears. The Swans have enough strength in depth to provide cover while Key recovers, although further injuries could test those resources.

Having said all that, Filip Lissah has already collected four yellow cards this season. One more before the 19-game disciplinary cut-off would result in a one-match suspension. Nobody else in the side has come close to that tally.

With four bookings already to his name, there is a genuine possibility that Lissah will have to sit out a game. That shouldn’t change the way he plays, though. If it happens, it happens.

There is plenty to be pleased about, of course, with the Swans sitting at the top of the Championship after eight games.

The thing that will drive Swans fans wild is the wait. It will be another eighteen days before we see the Swans in action again, when they face Norwich City on Saturday, October 10th. Despite the early kick-off, ticket sales are going well.

That begins a busy week for Swansea. Following the home fixture against Norwich, the Swans travel to Millwall on Tuesday before returning home to face West Ham United on Saturday, October 17th, in what could be a top-six clash.

⚽️ News on Eom

As most supporters will know, Eom scored three goals for South Korea U23 against Qatar in the Asian Games, and this afternoon his side take on Saudi Arabia.

All this is happening while South Korea’s senior national side have four fixtures scheduled over the international break.

Find out more below about why this is happening.

We also have some interesting reports coming up, including one examining what appears to have become a key part of the Swans’ recruitment strategy over the last fourteen months or so.

Thanks for your support.

⚽️ Why is Eom in the U23 squad ?

Photographs : TNTclick media, artwork Xolin