EPL: Swansea v Everton preview

Swansea v Everton preview

Carlos Carvalhal has welcomed Jordan Ayew back to Swansea's survival battle by calling him "one of the best attackers" in the Premier League.

Ayew returns for Swansea's crunch home game with Everton on Saturday having served a three-match ban after being sent off at Huddersfield last month.

Swansea have scored only once in his absence, with Carvalhal's side currently in 15th place and four points above the relegation zone.

"To me, Jordan is one of the best attackers of the Premier League and a fantastic addition for us," the Swansea manager said.

"We are very happy when we receive a player like Jordan. He makes a big impact in our team and we expect him to do that on Saturday."

Swansea boss Carlos Carvalhal provides an update on the fitness of on-loan Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches, who has been sidelined by a hamstring injury

 

Ayew is the only Swansea player to reach double figures this season, six of his 10 goals coming since Carvalhal was appointed at the end of December, and Swansea have never lost a game in which the 26-year-old has scored.

Everton have lost just one of their last four Premier League fixtures and drew 0-0 with Liverpool last time out.

Wayne Rooney appeared to be annoyed after being taken off in the derby with less than an hour gone, but manager Sam Allardyce says he has "no problem" with the former England striker.

"We're all right, no problem. It's the role he wants to play. Our tactical change was for the benefit of the team," he said.

 

Aside from Ayew's return, Swans midfielder Sam Clucas and defender Mike van der Hoorn remain doubtful.

Bayern Munich loanee Renato Sanches, who has not played since an FA Cup tie at Notts County at the end of January because of a hamstring injury, continues to do his final recovery work in Germany.

Idrissa Gana Gueye is in line to start for Everton after showing no ill effects following his substitute appearance in the Merseyside derby.

Defender Phil Jagielka suffered a reaction following last weekend's goalless draw but should be fit. Gylfi Sigurdsson (knee), Mason Holgate (ankle), Eliaquim Mangala (knee) and James McCarthy (broken leg) all remain sidelined.