Laudrup: Let's finish the job

12th December

Michael Laudrup insists Swansea City's travel delays will not affect their bid to reach the Europa League knockout stages tonight (Thursday) in Switzerland.

The squad arrived in Zurich seven hours later than expected following fog problems and mechanical issues with the plane.

The squad's training session scheduled for Wednesday night was cancelled as the team arrived at their hotel at around 10pm local time.

With his team needing a point from the final Group A game in St Gallen tonight (7pm local time), Laudrup doesn't believe the travel issues will dent his side's hopes of reaching the last 32.

"We cannot control everything, especially the weather," said Laudrup, who arrived as scheduled after he flew into Switzerland from Paris after spending time with his family.

"Of course, it's not ideal but let's not make it more dramatic than it is. It was a very long day for the players and the staff.

"The game is at 7pm so there will be whole day to prepare for it. It's the last game in the group stage and we have to finish the job to move on to the next stage."

The Swans need just a point at the AFG Arena tonight to progress while Kuban Krasnodar will hope they slip up as the Russian side look to win at group winners Valencia and turn around a three-goal difference.

But Laudrup insists the Swans must concentrate on their own result as they look to advance to the next stage of the competition.

He added: "If Kuban lose or draw we can go through with a loss, but Valencia are already top of the group and are playing Atletico away on Sunday so I think Kuban have a good chance of winning the game, which means we have to do the job ourselves."

Laudrup also confirmed that Angel Rangel and Alvaro Vazquez won't feature in his plans tonight - despite travelling with the squad - while he run the rule over Wilfried Bony and Michu after today's training session before deciding whether they will be in contention for selection.