EPL: Swansea v Crystal Palace preview
Swansea v Crystal Palace preview
Leon Britton will take the reigns for Swansea's game against Crystal Palace on Saturday following the sacking of Paul Clement.
Clement was dismissed on Wednesday just two days after a 3-1 defeat to Everton with the club 20th in the Premier League table and Britton - a veteran of over 500 appearances for the club - has been placed in temporary charge.
Although he has stepped in on an interim basis, Britton insisted he does not want the job long-term, saying: "I've been asked to help the club out, which is something I will always do.
Leon Britton, who is taking charge of Swansea for the game against Crystal Palace on Saturday, says it is not the right time for him to take the job on a permanent basis
"But in terms of the immediate future, I am not looking to be the full-time manager."
Britton's opposing manager on Saturday Roy Hodgson has overseen an impressive upturn in results since taking over and admitted that the club may find it difficult to hang onto in-form Wilfried Zaha next month.
"I don't think that as a manager you can ever give guarantees on anything," he said.
"It's a great credit to the club and Will Zaha that if there are rumours circulating that there are so-called bigger clubs looking at him and maybe thinking of making a bid, we should be pleased about that because it means he's playing well."
Swansea striker Wilfried Bony will miss Saturday's Premier League home clash with Crystal Palace due to the hamstring strain that forced him off early at Everton on Monday.
Leon Britton, placed in caretaker charge following Paul Clement's sacking, has ruled himself out of being part of the squad this weekend because of a calf strain, while Ki Sung-yeung (calf) and Leroy Fer (back) are being monitored.
It remains to be seen if there is any involvement for Wayne Routledge, missing for the last two games after complaining of muscle tightness, or Kyle Bartley, who has not made a first-team appearance since August because of a knee injury.
Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke is suspended for the Premier League clash with Swansea after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the 3-0 win over Leicester.
Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Jason Puncheon is available for selection despite being charged with possession of an offensive weapon and assault.
Although he has stepped in on an interim basis, Britton insisted he does not want the job long-term, saying: "I've been asked to help the club out, which is something I will always do.
Leon Britton, who is taking charge of Swansea for the game against Crystal Palace on Saturday, says it is not the right time for him to take the job on a permanent basis
"But in terms of the immediate future, I am not looking to be the full-time manager."
Britton's opposing manager on Saturday Roy Hodgson has overseen an impressive upturn in results since taking over and admitted that the club may find it difficult to hang onto in-form Wilfried Zaha next month.
"I don't think that as a manager you can ever give guarantees on anything," he said.
"It's a great credit to the club and Will Zaha that if there are rumours circulating that there are so-called bigger clubs looking at him and maybe thinking of making a bid, we should be pleased about that because it means he's playing well."
Swansea striker Wilfried Bony will miss Saturday's Premier League home clash with Crystal Palace due to the hamstring strain that forced him off early at Everton on Monday.
Leon Britton, placed in caretaker charge following Paul Clement's sacking, has ruled himself out of being part of the squad this weekend because of a calf strain, while Ki Sung-yeung (calf) and Leroy Fer (back) are being monitored.
It remains to be seen if there is any involvement for Wayne Routledge, missing for the last two games after complaining of muscle tightness, or Kyle Bartley, who has not made a first-team appearance since August because of a knee injury.
Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke is suspended for the Premier League clash with Swansea after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the 3-0 win over Leicester.
Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Jason Puncheon is available for selection despite being charged with possession of an offensive weapon and assault.