SM
Inter Milan vs. Como: 10 hrs 28 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
SL
Championship | Gameweek 14
Oct 27, 2019 at 12pm UK
 
CC

1-0

Wilmot (24')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Steve Cooper rules Joe Rodon out of Wales qualifiers

:Headline: Steve Cooper rules Joe Rodon out of Wales qualifiers: ID:376489: from db_amp
The 22-year-old defender has quickly established himself as a key player in Ryan Giggs' plans.

Swansea boss Steve Cooper revealed defender Joe Rodon will miss Wales' crunch Euro 2020 qualifiers next month after Ben Wilmot stepped into his shoes to become the south Wales derby hero.

On-loan Watford teenager Wilmot marked his first Swansea league start with a 24th-minute headed winner as Cardiff were beaten 1-0 in the Sky Bet Championship clash at the Liberty Stadium.

Wilmot found out he was playing less than 24 hours before kick-off, with Rodon discovering that he requires ankle surgery and faces a few months on the sidelines.

Ben Wilmot headed the winner in the south Wales derby (Mark Kenton/PA)

The injury rules 22-year-old Rodon out of Wales' November qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Hungary.

Wales need to win both games to qualify for Euro 2020 next summer and the news will come as a huge blow to manager Ryan Giggs, as Rodon has established himself at the heart of the Dragons' defence.

"Joe had a knock on the ankle last week but he picked up a fresh injury on Tuesday night (against Brentford)," Cooper said after Swansea's derby win.

"He's got a tendon injury that rules him out of the Wales games too. He's going to need an operation next week and will be out for a few months.

Joe Rodon has become a key figure for club and country (Nick Potts/PA)

"What hurts him will make him stronger, but he was close to tears when he heard the news.

"I think it hit home when he knew he wasn't going to play. But he stood by the side of the team and didn't leave us for one minute."

England Under-21 international Wilmot turns 20 next week and his only previous starts for Swansea had come in the Carabao Cup.

Wilmot's last league start was in April during a loan spell in Italy, for Udinese against Lazio.

"Ben's had to stay patient and he's not been happy with it," Cooper said. "We've had a good few conversations.

"You see the fitness levels and tactical ideas, it's exactly how we want to play because we practice it every day. Ben is a good example of that.

"I was delighted because you can lose your emotions in this game.

"But I felt we were in control all game, we created all the chances."

Swansea boss Steve Cooper enjoyed the adulation of the club's fans (Mark Kerton/PA)

While Swansea are back in the play-off places with a first win in five home games, Cardiff are down in 14th place after winning just twice in 10 outings.

Cardiff manager Neil Warnock blamed that poor run on the failure to take goal-scoring opportunities.

"We're creating chances but we've got to put them away," Warnock said.

"You're never going to get a lot of chances in a derby match and the first goal is always going to be important.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Neil Warnock at the Liberty Stadium (Mark Kerton/PA)

"We've got to learn the lessons and we haven't so far.

"I felt it was there to be won. I know it's a local derby, but I thought we quietened the crowd down.

"I'll be disappointed in the return match if it's not a lot louder than that."

amp_article__376489 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-10-27 16:26:15:
html db last update - 2019-10-27 16:26:15 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Joe Rodon

Click here for more stories about Cardiff City

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd22155232112148
2Leeds UnitedLeeds22136341152645
3Burnley2212822891944
4Sunderland22127334181643
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2111462518737
6Middlesbrough22105738281035
7West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom22811326161035
8Watford2110473028234
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds229582830-232
10Millwall217772118328
11Swansea CitySwansea227692424027
12Bristol City226972628-227
13Norwich CityNorwich226883734326
14Queens Park RangersQPR2251072328-525
15Luton TownLuton2274112538-1325
16Derby CountyDerby2266102728-124
17Coventry CityCoventry2266102834-624
18Preston North EndPreston2241172229-723
19Stoke CityStoke2257102330-722
20Portsmouth204882535-1020
21Hull City2247112131-1019
22Cardiff CityCardiff2146111934-1518
23Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2146112137-1618
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2146112245-2318
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .