By David Williams
Joe Allen’s future at Swansea City looks uncertain after head coach Luke Williams admitted he didn’t know if the former Wales star would be offered a new contract.
Allen has only made one start this season in the Championship – last week’s 2-1 home defeat at Ipswich Town – as injuries have disrupted his campaign.
The 33-year-old’s current deal is up this summer and with just 11 further league appearances off the bench so far this season, the club must decide whether another deal is worthwhile.
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Williams – who takes his team to Sunderland on Saturday – insists he is a huge admirer of the former Wales midfielder who is in his second spell with the club, but that no decision has yet been taken over Allen’s future.
“I honestly don’t know,” said Williams when asked if Allen – who rejoined the Swansea 18 months ago – would stay.
“There’s going to come a point where we have to have these conversations with all these guys out of contract.
“But I don’t think we really know what that’s going to look like at the moment.
“He’s a brilliant footballer and an incredible professional.
“He’s such a mild mannered and a quality footballer, but he’s secretly an animal. I’d like to see him at a party. He’d shock everyone. He’d have a couple of drinks and then you’d look up and be like ‘Joe’s on the table dancing?!’
“I think he’s class. It’s brilliant to work with him.
“He quietly goes about his business in a very focused way. There’s no doubt this club means a lot to him.”
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Williams – who is seeking only his second league win in eight league matches in charge – says he intends to use Allen more in the remaining weeks of the season if the former Stoke City and Liverpool player can stay fit.
“I think if he stays fit he’s going to be involved. How much he’s going to play, I don’t know exactly.
“But if he remains fit he’ll be a big player for us. Whether that’s starting games or coming off the bench.
“Even if he doesn’t come on the pitch, he’s a big player. He’s a big player in the dressing room, a big player in the warm-up, a big player on the bench.
“That’s what guys like that bring. He’ll always be involved if he’s fit.”
Luke Williams preview's Saturday's trip to Sunderland.
Updates to follow… pic.twitter.com/3trYhU1tyv
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Swansea’s only win under Williams came in their last away fixture, when they beat Hull City 1-0 and the head coach insists he has seen signs that his players are again ready to deliver after two successive home defeats.
“It’s been a really tough run of games, but I feel motivated and I have no complaints in terms of what I see from the players,” said Williams.
“There are no excuses or deflecting, they are up for everything and working hard and have a good way of communicating with each other.
“We have had a few choice words between the players in training, but it’s been done in a good way, being assertive about performance levels and people talking to each other.
“It shows they care and understand what they are supposed to be achieving and if someone falls below that you are entitled to tell people, but you have to do it in the right way.
“It’s not about settling scores, it’s about working together. That’s given me encouragement.”
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