For both players, out of contract this summer it will be a race against time to regain fitness to feature in part of the last six-games of the season as they look to stay in Williams’ plans for the new campaign.
It would be a Bank Holiday to forget for the Swans as they struggled to match the vibrant performance shown two weeks earlier in the south Wales derby against Cardiff, picking up just one point from the two matches against the Hoops and Sheffield Wednesday.
On a disappointing afternoon at the Swansea.com stadium, centre back Steve Cook settled the match with the only goal of the game, crashing a volley from 12-yards into the back of the net after the Swans had failed to clear their lines from a corner.
The Swans would have their moments hitting the woodwork twice through Matt Grimes’ free kick and substitute Aimar Govea’s late curling effort against the angle. It would however be a rather subdued performance in front of a near-capacity crowd.
“You have to start the game ferociously. You must try and bloody the other fighter’s nose at the earliest opportunity. We didn’t do that today,” said a frustrated Williams after the game.
“We started slowly off the pace a bit and QPR had good energy in the beginning and tried to counter against us, causing us a few problems.
“Their main threat came from counter-attacks, we concede the corner from a counter-attack and then we concede from the corner.
“We created, I think, three big chances that we need to take and then the game can go in a different direction.”
Pace and tenacity have been a key factor in Williams’ attacking philosophy since the former Notts County number one arrived in SA1 in January. Missing Placheta the Swans lacked natural width at times on one side to get in behind the relegation-threatened Londoners.
Whilst Brazilian Ronald would once again be most likely to open up the Hoops backline, the lack of an alternative option on the flank at times, however, would make the Swans slightly one-dimensional with the QPR backline largely enjoying a comfortable afternoon.
The former Norwich winger has been a firm favourite of Williams since his arrival in January featuring in ten games since his free agent move on a short-term contract. The Pole, an unsung hero in recent weeks, however, would pick up a hamstring in the 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Good Friday forcing him to be withdrawn at half-time.
“He had a problem with his hamstring, unfortunately,” explained Williams on the issue.
“He’s going to be out for a little while. He couldn’t be involved today.
“I think he will play before the end of the season, but a hamstring is something to monitor all the time.
“It’s not a high-grade tear or anything like that – it’s manageable – it depends on how his body reacts to rehab.
“I really like him a lot. I think he gives us a big threat. He plays his position and concentrates, has good intensity, and makes plenty of actions.
“I like him. He’s a good guy. I like good characters like that as well. When you see him every day it looks like he’s ready for training and has good enthusiasm.
“It’s sad to lose him, but it’s not for too long and hopefully we get him back on the pitch before the end of the season.”
Meanwhile, the return to fitness of Allen has been a key factor in the Swans mini-revival in the last six weeks. The Swans midfield certainly benefiting from the experience, calmness and bite that the 33-year-old former Wales international has in his locker.
Having been rested in the 1-1 Good Friday draw with the Owls, Allen came back into the starting lineup against Rangers but would only last the first 30 minutes of action. A toe injury forcing the former Liverpool and Stoke City midfielder off the field in some pain.
When questioned on the injury Williams is hopeful that Allen’s injury isn’t too serious but explained he will need to be assessed to see the severity of damage.
“We need a bit more time for that to settle down and we will try to gage how long that will be,” continued the Swans boss.
“He bent the toe back too far. The toe said ouch and then he cannot play anymore in the game, so we’ll see.
“I don’t think he is showing the symptoms of a break. Hopefully, that won’t be the end of his season.”
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
