Swansea Vs Port Vale

Swansea City will be hoping to answer their critics following the shock exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Havant and Waterlooville on Wednesday with a win over relegation threatened Port Vale.

Lee Sinnott's side have been staring into league two oblivion for a large part of the season following a patchy run of form that has seen the Valiants win only 2 games in 13. It is that run of form that has seen the Stoke club only 2 points from the league one basement. Vale fans have received a welcome boost in the last 24 hrs after Swedish striker Tobias Mikaelsson signed on a one month loan from Premiership side Aston Villa.

Not to be outdone Roberto Martinez has secured the services of the highly rated Manchester United striker Fabian Brandy on loan till the end of the season.

The Liberty Stadium club will be hoping to retain their league position against Port Vale as Nottingham Forest and Leeds United hot on the heals of the league leaders. With games in hand Martinez will be looking to press home Swansea's fine home form and will be looking to increase their goal difference that could prove so vital come May.

To Come..

Roberto Martinez will have Ferrie Bodde at his disposal as he has completed his 5 match ban following his dismissal against Leeds United on the 29th December. Alan Tate is also available after serving a 3 match ban following his red card against Havant and Waterlooville.

Darren Way is ruled out with a hamstring injury whilst Owain Tudor Jones is still sidelined. Andrea Orlandi is out with medial ligament damage.

Andy Robinson is a doubt following a calf injury whilst Garry Monk and Jason Scotland are facing a race against the clock to be passed fit. Monk has sustained a Knee injury and Scotland has picked up a bruised foot.

Finding his form

After a slow start to his Swansea City career Guillem Bauza has come into form in recent weeks.< br> Signed from Spanish side Espanyol B in the summer transfer window, the striker raised concerns by many Swansea City fans over his ability to cope with the rigours of British football let alone league one. His 2 goals against Billericay Town in the 1st round of the FA Cup was to prove the turning point for Bauza . Further goals in the FA Cup and Johnstone's Paint Trophy gave the trained teacher confidence and that was to finally earn the Spaniard a league goal against Luton Town last Saturday. The hard working striker will cause the Port Vale defence problems with his dogged determination to contain the opposition.

Vale manager Lee Sinnott could hand new boy Tobias Mikaelsson a appearance after his move from Aston Villa this week.

Midfielder Robin Hulbert is firmly out of the fixture after scans revelled that he had broken his collarbone.

More team news to come...

The Valiants Leading Goal Scorer:

Former Shrewsbury stalwart Luke Rodgers is the Vale Park outfits top goal scorer with 9 goals so far this season in all competitions. Rodgers has only come back from injury after sustaining a foot and knee injury in quick succession. The former Crewe player has been a proven goal scorer since his time at Shrewsbury Town and who would count against the experienced forward adding to his already impressive goal tally.

The Form Book(based on previous 5 results)

Swansea City

DDWWL
Port Vale
DLLLW

Referee: Steve Bratt Assistants :P J Grove and S P Snartt
Fourth Official W Barratt
Steven Bratt has officiated 18 games and has given 65 yellow cards and has dismissed Oldham's defender Neal Trotman

Swansea Vital predicts a 2-1 win for Swansea City.

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Swansea City Vs Crewe
Coca Cola League One
The Liberty Stadium
22nd January
7.45pm KO

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