Vitor Matos backs Cameron Burgess to come back stronger from injury setback

Swansea City head coach Vitor Matos has backed Cameron Burgess to make a strong recovery from his Achilles injury as he faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. 

Burgess is set for a significant period out after scans confirmed the Australia international ruptured his Achilles during last Saturday’s Carabao Cup meeting with Birmingham City.

The 30-year-old was forced off during the closing stages of the Swans’ 1-0 defeat at the Swansea.com Stadium and will undergo surgery before beginning his rehabilitation programme.

Burgess played every minute of every Championship game for Swansea last season after joining from Ipswich Town, and was an important part of the side which finished the campaign strongly under Matos.

His injury is a cruel blow for the Swans and the centre-half, but Matos is confident Burgess has the mentality required to overcome the setback.

“It’s not great news,” Matos said.

“I think Cam is an important person for all of us. He is one of the main players of the team. He played all the games last season in the Championship, then he featured at the World Cup. Unfortunately for him, he has this situation now.

“We are here for him and for the family as a club. He knows that he has all our support, and we know as well that he has the right mentality and the right character to bounce back. 

"I know he will do everything to be as quick as possible and in the best shape as well.”

Burgess' injury comes just days before Swansea begin their Championship campaign with a trip to Stoke City, meaning Matos will have to assess his options at centre-back.

Stephen Welsh, who joined the club from Celtic earlier this summer, is among those in contention to step in, while the Swans also have Filip Lissah and Ben Cabango available in central defence.

The Swans will also be without Ross Stewart for Saturday's trip to the Potteries, with the striker continuing to build up his fitness following his summer arrival from Southampton, but Matos confirmed the Scotland international is closing in on full fitness.

“Ross is on around a week of working with us,” he confirmed. 

“He will not be involved at Stoke. I think he still he's still adapting in this beginning of preseason for him. So he will be almost 100% be in the next week (against Sheffield United).”