By Gareth James
Joel Latibeaudiere will miss at least the next three months of the season following the shoulder injury he suffered in Swansea City’s midweek draw with Millwall.
The defender – who dislocated his shoulder in the first half and required pain-killing gas while the joint was re-set – is unlikely to play again until after the break for the World Cup in December.
The absence of Latibeaudiere is likely to prompt head coach Russell Martin to try and add to his defensive resources before the transfer deadline, although it may mean more departures to fund an arrival.
“We’ll continue to talk about that and hopefully have a bit more clarity in the next day or two,” said Martin.
RM confirms Latibeaudiere has suffered a probable long-term injury (dislocated shoulder).
— Matthew Burgess (@1matthewburgess) August 16, 2022
“I think we needed a couple of players before that happened and it doesn’t change my opinion on that. It probably makes it more important that we do it a bit quicker.
“We have a list of players but it’s getting shorter because a few of them are ending up at other places now. We’ll have to wait and see and that’ll involve discussions with Josh [Marsh] and Julian [Winter] and the ownership over the next couple of days.”
Latibeaudiere, 22, had appeared in all five of the Swans’ matches so far this season and made 32 appearances last season.
The former Manchester City youngster – who can operate at centre-back of full-back – would have been a key part of Martin’s defensive strategy for the current campaign.
Still early, still bedding in but we're still waiting to see anything from him. Looks hesitant in a lot of his play and no real defensive presence so far.
But with Latibeaudiere out he's likely to get a lot of opportunities so hopefully he settles and starts to play well.
— Guto Llewelyn (@GutoLlewelyn) August 17, 2022
“I feel so sad for Joel,” said Martin.
“He’s one of the best pros, one of the best lads, and his mentality and focus every day adds value.
“He’ll be out from three-to-six months, hopefully three but we’ll get an update from the scan next week.
“It’s tough to take, he’s come back in such good shape, and his performances this season – in any position – have been incredible.
Ntcham started so well. I thought he was going to create so much for us last night but after the injury to Latibeaudiere something changed. Coincidence or not, who knows? Joe Allen was very good indeed and great to see him back
— TJ Buck (@buckney_tony) August 17, 2022
“He was as high as a kite on drugs the other night when he was waiting for his shoulder to be put back in. The first thing he did was ring Gilly [Matt Gill] to say he should have scored that chance, that sums him up.
“The fact we drew the game, he couldn’t believe it. He thought that was the drugs talking! He’ll be so important around this place.
“It just sums him up as a lad. We might get him involved doing some other stuff for us. We’ll have a chat about that in the next couple of weeks.”
