Carroll misses out as Swansea host Middlesbrough

Posted Friday, December 13, 2019 by PA

Swansea midfielder Tom Carroll will sit out Saturday’s home clash with Middlesbrough following the first red card of his career.

Carroll was sent off for a second bookable offence during Wednesday night’s 1-1 Sky Bet Championship draw with Blackburn and must serve a one-match suspension.

Winger Wayne Routledge, who had hoped to be fit for the Teessiders’ visit to the Liberty Stadium, is likely to be missing once again with the calf injury which has sidelined him for the last four games.

Manager Steve Cooper otherwise has no fresh injury problems, although long-term absentees Joe Rodon and Jordon Garrick are still sidelined.

Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate has been handed a boost by the news that striker Britt Assombalonga’s ankle injury is not as bad as was first feared.

The Boro frontman missed the midweek trip to Nottingham Forest after leaving the Riverside Stadium on crutches following last weekend’s win over Charlton, but is rated at 50-50 to face the Swans.

Rudy Gestede could be involved for just the second time since August after returning to action for the Under-23s in midweek, while midfielders Marcus Browne and Lewis Wing are also available once again.

However, Woodgate is still without long-term casualties Anfernee Dijksteel and George Friend, while the trip to South Wales will come too soon for Darren Randolph and Ryan Shotton.