Swansea City’s record signing Borja Baston is set to be named on the bench against Southampton this weekend – putting him in line to finally make his debut.
The £15.5m striker has not played since joining the club at the start of August due to a thigh injury.
But the Spaniard has made progress in training this week and is poised to be among the substitutes for Sunday’s visit to St. Mary’s Stadium.
Baston, 23, scored 18 goals in La Liga last season on loan at Eibar from parent club Atletico Madrid and it was hoped he would continue that type of strike rate with the Swans.
But manager Francesco Guidolin has been reluctant to pick him until he was 100 per cent fit, despite suggesting he might be a substitute ahead of Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea.
Guidolin has also admitted he is unlikely to consider playing Borjan alongside fellow Spanish striker Fernando Llorente as a regular option, believing they are both more suited to a lone striking role for the team.
Midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng – who returned to the side against Chelsea – is set to retain his place in a starting line-up likely to be unchanged.
Despite the frantic nature of Sunday’s draw, Ki believes Guidolin’s team got their just rewards.
“We deserved a point from the game because we really improved in the second half against Chelsea,” said the South Korean, who spent part of the summer on army training in his homeland.
“It was a busy second half, and aside from the goals we also created further chances.
“It’s a very useful point, and we can go into Sunday’s game against Southampton with confidence, although we know it will be a tough game.
“When the boys are on it, we can challenge the best in this league. Everyone has to be at their best, and that is the challenge for us.”
