Cabango doubtful as Duff tough expects tough Plymouth encounter 

In the last fixture before the two-week international break, the Swans will be looking to make it four wins in a row. Duff’s side seemingly has turned a corner in recent weeks and will be looking to build upon their recent upturn in form which has seen ten points collected from 12 available. 

One player, however, who will be unlikely to feature will be Wales international Ben Cabango. A hamstring injury in the 2-1 victory over Norwich at the Swansea.com Stadium on Tuesday night seeing the defender likely to remain in South Wales to recuperate and also miss Wales’ international friendly against Gibraltar and European Championship qualifier against Croatia in the next week. 

Cabango joins a growing list of Swans casualties in the last few weeks which has seen Joe Allen, Nathan Wood and Josh Ginnellly ruled out long-term. Full-back Kristian Pederson is also still troubled with a muscular problem and will sit out the clash with the Pilgrims. However, there was good news with Kyle Naughton returning to the matchday squad. 

“Ben is doubtful, we are waiting for results of a scan. We don’t think it’s serious, but we will wait and see what the results say,” said Duff. 

“There’s nothing we can do if he is injured, we have got cover. We have Bashir (Humphreys) who moved there the other night. Kyle Naughton is back fit now and we have capable replacements. 

“We are thin, but we have players ready to step in. 

“If there is nothing in Ben’s scan, he will be available for us, but we are still waiting on things. 

“Kristian will not be ready for the weekend, but he will be back for the Leicester game, it’s just a small injury, but it was a 10-day to two-week injury, which means he misses out.” 

Unbeaten in their last five encounters with Plymouth, the Swans travel to Home Park for the first time since a 1-1 draw in 2010 with Steven Schumacher’s side without a victory against their Welsh opposition since 2002.  

The match will also be the first time Pilgrims striker Morgan Whittaker faces his former side since his summer £1million move from South Wales over the summer. The 22-year-old has four goals in ten games this season 

Duff, fully aware of the dangers the Pilgrims possess from his time at Barnsley last season, is under no illusions his side are in for a difficult encounter. 

“[Plymouth] It is another tough place to go, I went there Tuesday night and I know they lost, but they could have had a few goals in the first half,” continued Duff. 

“Tuesday will have been disappointing for them, but it’s a club on the up. The whole club seems to be on a bounce, every time you go there it’s full and bouncing. 

“He is [Morgan Whittaker] a boy of good ability. People will have seen that, and he seems to have found a home in Plymouth. He’s a good player. 

“He’s moved on and we wish him all the best. Apart from Saturday.” 

[Lead image: Swansea City FC]