Carlos Carvalhal will risk FA Cup progress against Wolves on Wednesday night in order to keep his Premier League powder dry for Swansea City’s clash with Liverpool on Monday.
The Swans manager is willing to rest players for the third round replay in order to keep certain players fresh for the vital game at home to Jurgen Klopp’s side,
The Swans host the Championship leaders following a 0-0 draw at Molineux, but with his side bottom of the Premier League and four points from safety, Carvalhal readily admits he will make changes.
“Yes, I will do that, for sure, I will make changes. Our main competition is the Premier League,” he said.
“We respect the cup, we respect Wolves, but we need to play players who are coming back from injuries, we must see the players and give them a chance also to play, so it’s natural that we will make changes on Wednesday.
“This is normal. We will try to see all the players and try to give all the players a chance to play and also to progress them.”
Mike van der Hoorn came off with a muscle injury in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Newcastle and will be assessed ahead of the game at the Liberty Stadium.
Wolves welcome back defender Danny Batth from suspension but Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, who are 10 points clear at the top of the Championship, are without the banned Ruben Vinagre.
But Swans defender Kyle Bartley, who captained the team in the 1-1 draw at Newcastle on Saturday, insists the players should use the situation to their advantage.
“Obviously, our focus is mainly on the Premier League,” says Bartley.
“But, as you’ve seen in the past, a good cup run can lift everyone’s spirits around the club and the city, and give you that bit of confidence that might be lacking.
“I think it’s important that we go out to try to win the game and, hopefully, we can take that momentum going forward in the Premier League.
“It’s also a good opportunity for players to get some minutes into their legs, because everyone is going to be needed in the league until the end of the season.”
