Team News: Ireland duo set to return from injury

Head coach Dean Smith provided some injury updates on the squad during his press conference ahead of the contest against Swansea City in the Sky Bet Championship.

Head coach Dean Smith provided some injury updates on the squad during his press conference ahead of the contest against Swansea City in the Sky Bet Championship.

Republic of Ireland duo Andrew Omobamidele and Adam Idah were the positive updates from Smith as he says both could feature against Swansea.

"The two of them played 30 minutes in a game last Saturday, both trained this week and both available for selection. They're a big inclusion to this squad," the head coach explained.

"We had a Man City XI we played against at St George's Park, Tottenham unfortunately had to pull out. It was a good run out for our lads."

Josh Sargent will be a late decision following the injury the striker picked up while on World Cup duty.

"We're still monitoring him. He's got a little bit of swelling still so it'll be touch and go whether he's ready or not," Smith added.

"He tried to train on the Friday and it was too much, so he pulled out of the game. We had him flown over on the Monday so we could get eyes on him quickly. He's fairly positive but, as I say, we'll have to monitor him.

"He had started two of the three games and was playing well. I thought he performed really well, we were proud seeing him out there. Really proud of what he's achieved."

Jacob Sørensen and Sam Byram have both entered 'end-stage' rehab and Smith hopes to have them available in the coming weeks.

However, Jonathan Rowe had a setback in his recovery while Marcelino Núñez is carrying a hamstring injury.

"Jonny was back training at the end of the last period. He was in his end-stage rehab. Then he's rolled his ankle with nobody around. It's ligaments, he's had what's called a tightrope surgery procedure, he'll be back in a couple of months.

"Nacho is struggling with a hamstring injury. He played two 90 minutes for Chile during the break."

Ahead of this weekend, Smith is looking forward to getting back into action, outlining how the squad have reflected and improved during their time off.

A training camp in Tampa was part of that World Cup break for the first team which Smith hinted offered a chance to see the squad in a different environment.

"The four weeks we've had, we had a nice break, the lads had a week off. The week in Tampa was really good, it was nice to see the players in a different environment, some had their families with them," he said.

"Swansea are a good challenge for us, a footballing team like ourselves. It's always a tough place to go, Swansea. But, it's a reset that everyone's had and we've reflected and improved, hopefully we'll see that tomorrow.

"I don't really know Russell (Martin) at all. I know Matt Gill who is working with him, he was my first ever signing. He's one who has reached out during his coaching career for advice.

"There's 25 games left, we're still not at the halfway stage. We're in a decent position, we'd like to be in a better one. We're going to take it game by game and if we get a win this Saturday, that'll be a big boost."