Carlos Carvalhal has revealed he has discussed Swansea City’s future – but insists those talks have yet to include his own position as manager.
The Portuguese boss has said he has briefed chairman Huw Jenkins on the road ahead, but played down speculation in recent weeks that informal talks over a new contract have already begun.
Carvalhal replaced Paul Clement in December when the club was rooted to the foot of the Premier League. They are currently five places higher in 15th and will travel to West Brom on Saturday three points clear of the relegation zone with seven games left to play.
“I will answer the same, after Swansea stay in the Premier League,” said Carvalhal on Thursday.
“This is not a point where I want anyone losing focus. After we have time to talk about that.
“I talk with the chairman every week, we talk often about the past, present and future – these are normal things about how we are progressing.
“When I say that it is a normal conversation, I talk about those things here and we are not discussing a contract. Of course I have informal conversations but I don’t want to talk much about my situation – it is not a problem.”
Carvalhal did leave the door open for talks later in the year though, adding that he is happy in Wales.
“I am happy here, there is no problem,” he said. “I like the players, the chairman, the owners, the fans. I like the fans, I think they like me so it is no problem.”
Swansea travel to The Hawthorns to face West Brom – who are currently adrift at the foot of the table and have sacked Alan Pardew as manager – boosted by fitness updates on two of their players.
Renato Sanches will return from Bayern Munich next week after recovering from a hamstring injury, while Sam Clucas is fit to face the Baggies, despite limping off with a knee injury in last week’s defeat to Manchester United.
The Clucas news comes as a major boost to Carvalhal, who is without injured trio Wilfried Bony, Leroy Fer and Sanches and the suspended Jordan Ayew.
“Clucas is ready – he is 100 per cent,” Carvalhal said.
“Our medical department have done good work with us and he has made a good recovery.
“I was concerned about it because his knee was very painful. But when we came back into training he was much better and then the scan showed nothing special.
“We are pleased because he is an important player for us. He is half-midfielder, half-attacker and half-defender – so he is one guy and a half!”
Carvalhal, meantime, hopes Sanches will return to Wales next week ahead of a possible playing comeback.
The on-loan Bayern Munich midfielder is currently with his parent club after suffering a serious hamstring problem in late January.
“We think he will be back with us next week, and if he is back that is because he is in the final stages of his recovery,” Carvalhal added.
“We will then see how he progresses day by day and when he is ready to play.”
