Mark Hughes looks to maintain Stoke's momentum
Mark Hughes is confident Stoke can keep up their momentum for a strong finish to the season despite their injury problems.
The Potters, currently eighth in the Barclays Premier League with seven fixtures left, have won four of their last six games as they attempt to hunt down a European berth.
Since beating Watford in their last outing on March 19, they have suffered significant injury blows, with goalkeeper Jack Butland (ankle) and forward Jonathan Walters (knee) being ruled out for the rest of the season and a minimum of three weeks respectively.
Three other players already sidelined - including skipper Ryan Shawcross (back) - will remain so for Saturday's home clash with Swansea, while Xherdan Shaqiri (thigh) is rated as unlikely to be able to make his return.
Geoff Cameron and Glenn Whelan will undergo late fitness tests as well, and boss Hughes admits things are "not great" for the club in general on that front at the moment.
But when asked on Friday if he was confident of Stoke maintaining their momentum nonetheless, he said: "We think so.
"We've compensated when players have gone out of the team and others have come in. We've been able to keep our levels high.
"Ideally you don't want to lose players, but it happens. We have a few missing, but I have enough to be able to put out what are good, competitive teams in my view."
Erik Pieters (calf) is fit to return on Saturday, while Jakob Haugaard is expected to make his Premier League debut by replacing Butland in goal.
Butland fractured his ankle in England's 3-2 win in Germany last weekend, subsequently underwent surgery and will sit out this summer's Euro 2016 finals.
Hughes anticipates the 23-year-old will be "fit and raring to go" after that for the start of pre-season training.
"We're disappointed for him obviously," Hughes said.
"But the operation was straightforward and successful, so I fully expect him to be fit and raring to go come the beginning of the pre-season period."
There has also been surgery this week for Republic of Ireland international Walters, another who has been hoping to feature at Euro 2016.
Talking about the knee issue Walters sustained in the Watford match, Hughes said: "He didn't think it was anything too significant, went away with the Irish squad and was hoping he'd be involved in their second game.
"But it was clear he was struggling, and a scan showed he has a tear in his cartilage, so that has been trimmed."
Swansea head coach Francesco Guidolin insists the Welsh club's mission to secure their Premier League status is "not finished yet".
Although the Swans are currently 10 points clear of relegation danger, Guidolin has no doubt there is still work to be done.
Swansea have never won at Stoke in the top flight, while their remaining seven fixtures include appointments with Leicester, Manchester City, Liverpool, West Ham and Chelsea.
"The season is not finished," Guidolin said. "It's important for us to prepare and play well in every game.
"I think four points could be enough for us. The table is not 10 points clear (for Swansea) as Sunderland, Newcastle and Crystal Palace have to play one match more than us. They have a game in hand. It is not finished yet.
"There is a lot to play for in the remaining games."
Striker Andre Ayew will again be absent this weekend as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury, although he is on course for a return when Chelsea visit the Liberty Stadium in eight days' time.
And Jefferson Montero and Modou Barrow were due back in training on Friday following international commitments with Ecuador and Gambia, respectively.
Stoke's resurgence under manager Mark Hughes is not lost on Guidolin.
"They are a good team having an important season," he said.
"They have players of quality like (Ibrahim) Afellay, (Xherdan) Shaqiri, (Giannelli) Imbula and (Marko) Arnautovic. It will be difficult, but I trust my team and players, and I expect a good performance.
"Mark Hughes should be congratulated, because he has done a very good job at Stoke."
Source: PAR
