Francesco Guidolin has revealed that he will be resting key players for Swansea City's final two games of the season; starting with tomorrow's trip to West Ham United.

Ashley WilliamsNeil Taylor and Gylfi Sigurdsson will all miss out on saying a proper goodbye to the famous Boleyn Ground, but with good reason as all three will be resting ahead of their trips to France next month for Euro 2016.

The manager has sensed the need for a break for all three ahead of the summer's big tournament, with plenty of changes to be made to the team tomorrow due to other injuries as well.

Completely different XI

With so many personnel either out injured or resting up, the Swansea team that takes to the field tomorrow is bound to be a very different one.

Speaking to the press ahead of the clash with West Ham, Guidolin revealed that the aforementioned trio are "all out," with Taylor and Sigurdsson both injured and in need of "treatment" while Williams will simply be out because he is "very tired" having played "a lot of games this season and before."

The manager heaped praise on his exhausted captain, who clearly deserves and doesn't just "need" his upcoming "break."

"Ashley is our skipper; he's the captain of the team, a good player and a leader," Guidolin continued. "He's very important for our team."

Jordi Amat played alongside Williams in central defence against Liverpool, but this week the identity of his partner is unclear. A recall for Federico Fernandez is likely, but the stage of the season also means youngster Joe Rodon could be afforded an opportunity.

Meanwhile, Mo Barrow could get the nod out wide, with Jefferson Montero "not 100 per cent" ahead of this game. "He has a little injury," Guidolin confirmed, which could be a big blow for the Ecuadorian given the form he is finding.

Up top, Alberto Paloschi is still carrying an injury too, meaning André Ayew could find himself in a central role once more.

Williams has played a huge role in the securing of Swansea's safety this season. (Photo: Action Images / Tony O'Brien)
Williams has played a huge role in the securing of Swansea's safety this season. (Photo: Action Images / Tony O'Brien)

The season isn't over yet

While Guidolin's decisions to rest key players show that the season has come to a competitive end for Swansea, with safety assured and a top half finish unlikely unless many teams above them drop points, the manager insists that his team won't lie down in their last two games.

"Both West Ham and Manchester City are competing for the top four Champions League places," he said, "meaning our last two games will be very competitive."

The Swans won't want to bow out for the summer with two defeats either, especially after such an impressive display against Liverpool last week, and so it's about building on that now.

"Both matches will be difficult," the Italian realises, but he believes he has "a good group of players" at his disposal who can get good results from the games.

"I am proud of the players and staff following an excellent performance against Liverpool," Guidolin added, saying he was "relieved" to deliver the aim of "Premier League safety."

"It was an important personal target for me," he said, with the Italian still looking to secure a contract for next season with the club amidst rumours of a return for Brendan Rodgers

To do so, he will be looking to impress Huw Jenkins and co. in these last two games and so the focus is on those fixtures, not his future.

Our season is not finished - we still have two very important games to play.” 

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About the author
Ameé Ruszkai
Head of the Sunderland, Swansea City and women football sections at VAVEL UK. Email: [email protected]