SWANS: Cabango concern after captain forced off against the Blades

Swansea City’s growing defensive concerns have deepened after Wales centre-back Ben Cabango hobbled off during their goalless draw with Sheffield United.

The club captain left the field midway through the second half with what head coach Vitor Matos said was a knock to his heel from a heavy challenge.

The 26-year-old’s early exit saw promising defender Filip Lissah switch from right-back to central defence, with Josh Key his replacement.

Having already lost Cabango’s regular centre-back partner Cameron Burgess to a season-ending Achilles injury a fortnight ago, the Swans will be anxiously waiting on an update.

“Ben felt something on his heel. We are assessing, so let’s see,” Matos said.

“We need to check if it’s a problem. At the moment we still don’t know. It doesn’t seem like something major, but we need to see.”

Even before Burgess was hurt in the season-opening EFL Cup defeat by Birmingham City, it was no secret that Matos wanted to strengthen his defensive options.

With Cabango now facing a potential lay-off, Lissah and summer recruit Stephen Welsh could be the head coach’s only senior centre-back options at Derby County next Saturday, unless Swansea move quickly in an unpredictable market.

“I think that’s clear, that it’s a position where we need depth, and that’s what we are trying to do,” he said.

The transfer window closes on 1 September.

Swansea were left frustrated as they failed to build on their victory at Stoke City, playing out a goalless draw with the Blades in their first home game of the new Championship season.

The Swans lacked a cutting edge in front of goal but registered their first clean sheet of the campaign.

“It’s important to understand that defending well is massive in terms of this league. It’s massive if we want to attack well as well,” Matos added.

“Both parts are connected, so that’s the good thing, and a clean sheet is what we can take from this game.

“On the other hand, of course, we want to win. It’s our stadium, our fans, and we didn’t. Now we need to move on.”

Swansea travel to Derby County on Saturday, 12.30pm kick-off at Pride Park. The Rams drew 2-2 with Cardiff City in their second game of the season.