Liam Cullen and Joel Latibeaudiere progressing well after shoulder injuries

12th September
First team
Liam Cullen - injury

Swansea City’s Liam Cullen and Joel Latibeaudiere are making good progress in their recoveries from shoulder injuries, but will remain on the sidelines until after the international break.

Long-term absentee Liam Walsh is also out, but head coach Russell Martin has no other injury concerns ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with Sheffield United.

Cullen suffered a dislocated shoulder after coming on as a substitute in the win over Queens Park Rangers, just a matter of weeks after Latibeaudiere suffered the same injury against Millwall.

The defender has been back out on the grass, although he has yet to return to full training, having made great progress,

“The squad is looking good on the whole,” said Martin.

“Joel is on the grass running although it will be a week or two before getting back with the rest of the squad. He is a professional and he is flying through his rehab.

“Liam Cullen is on a different time frame but he is following a similar protocol and process, and he is doing well with that.

“We need to get him through his rehab and hopefully after the international break Lats will be close to returning to the squad and Liam will not be far behind him.

“Lats has got a great mentality and attitude, he is desperate to be on the pitch helping his team-mates. He has remained a big part of the group even while he has been injured.

"He had the option of being conservative and having an operation, which would have meant longer out. The other was to let it heal naturally, which means a lot less time out. There’s no surprise Joel has chosen to go that way.

“Everyone else is looking good, everyone has trained well been. The players have been in a good place physically and mentally, we have had some really good moments and important meetings about what we want to be as a team and a group. We are looking forward to playing.”

Swans boss Martin also confirmed striker Michael Obafemi is working to return to the matchday squad.

“Michael will be back in the squad as soon as he is ready to be back,” said Martin.

“He had a turbulent few days with the transfer window closing, after that it is down to hm to show he is in right place to contribute to the team and group.

“He has been fine, but we have a group of players who won against QPR and did really well and he is competing with those guys. He is getting there, slowly but surely. We will keep pushing on.”