Llorente returns to training

Swansea City striker Fernando Llorente returned to training today as he moved a step closer to a first-team return.

Llorente missed the Swans’ pre-season preparations along with last weekend’s Premier League opener at Southampton due to a fractured bone in his lower arm sustained while cycling on a family holiday.

The Spaniard, who ended his debut campaign with the Swans as top scorer with 15 goals, is now closer to a first-team return after joining in this morning’s session at Fairwood.

But Swans boss Paul Clement confirmed Llorente won’t be ready to play a part against Jose Mourinho’s side at the Liberty on Saturday (12.15pm).

“It’s good to have him back involved. We will see how quickly we can get him fit to play, but he will not be ready for Manchester United,” said Clement.

“Crystal Palace is a possibility. We will see.

“Because of the nature of the injury to the arm, he lost a lot of upper-body bulk. He managed as well as possible to maintain his cardio-fitness but he is going to have to rebuild that upper-body strength which he wasn’t able to work on while the arm was fractured.

“We will take it day by day with him. Hopefully he will respond well to the training and will be available soon.”