Preview | Luton Town v Swansea City
Swansea City will look to build on a trio of hard-fought results - and boost their hopes of a top-two finish - when they take on Luton Town in front of the Sky Sports cameras this afternoon (12.15pm).
Wins over Stoke and Middlesbrough, plus the midweek draw at Blackburn, have Steve Cooper's side still firmly in the automatic promotion mix with 12 games to go.
They entered the weekend third in the table, outside the top two on goal difference and with a game in hand on second-placed Watford.
The Swans have highlighted their resilience and character in accumulating seven points from their last three games in a gruelling sequence that currently has them in the middle of three-straight away games.
But, as the games tick down, the head coach has reminded his side of the need to trust the methods and work that has put them in a good position as the final run-in beckons.
Standing in their way are a Luton side who have proved tough opponents in all three recent meetings, and have proven effective on home turf, where they have lost just four times in the league this season.
Team news
Marc Guehi is a doubt for the Swans after picking up a groin injury at Ewood Park in midweek, with Joel Latibeaudiere and Ryan Bennett in contention to replace him should he miss out.
Paul Arriola is also missing with a thigh injury, but Wayne Routledge has recently returned to action for the first time since January, and was brought on from the bench against Blackburn.
Liam Cullen, Steven Benda, Jordan Morris and Tivonge Rushesha remain sidelined.
Pre-match views
Steve Cooper: “I don’t think that needs to change, we have to carry on doing what has got us into this situation, there is no need to change anything.
“That will be our intention, we have set ourselves a target of achieving, of playing well and winning games.
“But it’s not about talking about where we are now, it’s about where we want to be, and that has to be the focus.
“We have two away games now, neither of them are around the corner, and it’s a busy schedule.
“It’s hectic but we are enjoying the challenge. We are trying to give our best and thrive in it.”
Nathan Jones: "They’ve got good players, they’re not just well organised and solid, they’ve got some excellent players, they have paid the money and they’ve got a Premier League striker in Andre Ayew.
“Jamal Lowe is doing very well for them and they’ve taken someone from the Premier League in terms of Conor Hourihane, so they've got excellent players, they’re a decent footballing side that have got real threats.
"Swansea are doing really well, if they play well and are fluent, they can score and hurt you, when they’re not, they’re grinding out results, so they’re proving to be a very, very adequate Championship side.”
Remember the last time?
Andre Ayew grabbed his 10th goal of the season to earn the Swans a deserved victory at Kenilworth Road.
With the game heading towards a goalless draw, Bersant Celina and Jay Fulton combined superbly to set up Ayew with a simple finish nine minutes from time.
Victory moved the Swans into the play-off spots at the halfway stage of the season.
Prime numbers
10 - Andre Ayew has been successful with 10 of his 11 penalty kicks since the start of last season, and has scored four in consecutive games.
250 - Wayne Routledge's substitute outing took the winger to 250 league appearances for the Swans since joining in the summer of 2011.
Today's mascots
Today we welcome our virtual mascots, Jacob Hobby and Finley Riley-Evans.
Jacob is aged six, from Aberdare, and his favourite player is Freddie Woodman. Jacob plays football for AFC Llwydcoed.
Finley is aged 14, from Bridgend, and his favourite player is Connor Roberts. Finley plays football for Penybont academy.
