Swansea City fear Cameron Burgess has suffered a significant Achilles injury after the centre-back limped off during their Carabao Cup first round defeat by Birmingham City.
Burgess, 30, has not missed a minute of Championship football after joining Swansea in the summer of 2025.
That record seems set to end when the Swans begin the 2026-27 league campaign at Stoke City on Saturday, 15 August.
Burgess was sent to hospital for scans after suffering the injury when landing from going up for a header.
The Swans fell to a solitary August Priske strike on the stroke of half-time at the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday despite being the stronger of the two sides in the first period until the Danish forward’s precise finish.
Chances came and went with Adam Idah spurning Joseph Opoku‘s centre straight at visiting goalkeeper James Beadle, whilst Elijah Just fired narrowly wide before a scrappy second half fizzled out, before Burgess and Swansea’s day got a whole lot worse.
The defeat means Swansea are out of the competition at the first hurdle.
“It doesn’t look good, but I prefer to wait for the assessment,” said Swansea head coach Vitor Matos. “It could be related to the Achilles but let’s see.”
Burgess started alongside Ben Cabango, his regular central defensive partner last season.
The Australia international suffered the injury late on, and Swansea played the closing minutes of the game with 10 men because they had already used all their substitutions.
Summer signing Stephen Welsh, who was on the bench against the Blues, could replace Burgess at Stoke.
Matos also has the option of switching Filip Lissah to centre-back.
The 21-year-old made his first competitive start for Swansea against Birmingham at right-back before making way for Josh Key in the second half.
“Welshy is more than ready to come in [and] we can still play Lissah [at centre-back], so there are plenty of options,” Matos said.
Swansea were in the market for another centre-back even before Burgess’ injury.
Matos acknowledged that should Burgess’ problem prove to be serious, the Swans may have to adjust their transfer plans.
“From when that is confirmed, of course we need to reassess the situation and think what we can do in the market,” he added.
“Let’s see. The market’s open. Everything can happen. We never know. We are ready to receive the players that will help us to be a better team.”
Swansea’s Championship season begins at the bet365 Stadium against Stoke City on Saturday, 15 August.
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