33-year-old Allen has had somewhat of a disappointing season with injuries limiting the former Wales international’s minutes on the pitch to just 12 appearances – predominately off the substitutes bench.
With the Swans struggling for points, the welcome sight of the experienced Allen making his first league start of the season, would have been a massive boost to Williams who sees the former Liverpool man as a big part of his squad and a model professional on and off the pitch.
Williams’ side travel to Tyneside this weekend to face manager-less Sunderland looking to get back to winning ways after a fourth straight home loss dropped the Swans perilously close to the relegation places.
The Swans would once again be their own worst enemy last time out by conceding cheaply within the first 20 minutes for the fifth time in seven games and would be undone by mistakes at the back as promotion-chasing Ipswich edged out a 2-1 victory in a close contest.
Whilst the likes of Queen’s Park Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday have shown an upturn in form reducing the gap on the Swans to just four points, Williams’ men have struggled with just one win in seven games since the Londoner took over the reins at SA1 in early January.
Having shrugged off thoughts of a relegation dog-fight after the defeat to the Tractor Boys, Williams feels that now games against the quality of ‘the big four’ are finished for the season, his side’s fortunes will start to change, starting at the Stadium of Light against the Mackems.
“It has been tough, and I feel exhausted but motivated as well,” said Williams.
“When we have played against anyone that is not in that top [four] bracket, we have shown that we can more than hold our own.
“There are no complaints from what I am seeing from the players. There is no sulking or excuses.
“I am optimistic, the target is to finish as strong as we can. We will keep pushing and see how far that takes us and that will be a good base for next season.
“He [Joe Allen] is unbelievable, he is a brilliant footballer and an incredible professional.
“He is such a mild-mannered man and a quality footballer. Secretly he is an animal as well and brilliant to work with.
“It’s not like he is a huge man that throws his weight around, but he is hugely competitive and switched on. He loves the team and the club.
“It is really evident. He quietly goes about his business in a focused way and there is no doubt that this club means a huge amount to him.
“If he stays fit, he is going to be involved. How much he is going to play I don’t know exactly. He will be a big player for us whether that is starting games or coming off the bench.
“Even if he doesn’t come on the pitch, he is a big player in the dressing room, the warm-up and the bench. That is what guys like that bring.
Whilst Allen is fit and raring to go for the weekend the Swans boss revealed that several first-teamers would remain on the sidelines against a ‘tough’ Sunderland side looking to reignite their play-off aspirations.
“He is doing good [Jamal Lowe]. We are communicating with Bournemouth on this one because they want to be involved,” continued Williams.
“He will be back soon; this game is too close. After that, we are expecting him to train fully and then be involved.
“Josh Key and Harrison Ashby are back on the grass and doing well with the conditioning team. They are getting there but there is no fixed date yet.
“He [Azeem Abdulai] trained today [and is available] but we have to be a bit careful with him. He is athletic and versatile and would be a good addition.
“I’m hoping that we get to see [Liam Walsh] before the end of the season, but I don’t know.
“I know they [Sunderland] are a very good side. I think they are going to be in the shake-up.
“I have the same feeling as when I was preparing for Hull, who were a team that were pushing for the play-offs when we went there.
“They are a good team who play with fluid movements and have a bit of everything you need in pace, power, experience and youth.
“It is a tough test, but we are prepared and are looking forward to it.”
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
