West Brom v Swansea - Match preview and team news
West Brom are looking to leapfrog both Swansea and Liverpool into seventh place as they seek to continue their recent upsurge in form against the Capital One Cup winners. The Baggies’ tight 1-0 defeat at Chelsea last week ended a run two consecutive victories and against a team that may just take their foot off the pedal slightly after their Wembley success, Baggies boss Steve Clarke will be confident of the three points.
His confidence will also be aided by the return of Romelu Lukaku to his squad. The on-loan Belgian was ineligible against parent club Chelsea last week and considering the recent form he is in with three goals in his last two matches, Lukaku looks certain to lead the line again partnered by either Shane Long or Peter Odemwingie. The Baggies are also boosted by the return of captain Chris Brunt from injury as well as left-back Goran Popov, who has now served his three-match suspension for spitting.
Visitors Swansea have been boosted by the news that manager Michael Laudrup has extended his contract to keep him at the Welsh club until June 2015. The Danish legend had been linked to possible vacancies at Real Madrid and Chelsea at the end of the season but has now committed his future to the club that he has led to it’s first major trophy.
Laudrup will be without Kemy Agustien for the trip to the Hawthorns with a thigh injury, while Chico Flores remains sidelined with ruptured ankle ligaments. Either club captain Garry Monk or Kyle Bartley look set to deputise for Chico. Neil Taylor remains a long-term absentee with a broken ankle.
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