Neil Taylor will not have played a Premier League game since last season if he is picked to play for Wales against Moldova on September 5.
The Wales full-back made his return for the Swans in the midweek League Cup victory at Peterborough, but manager Francesco Guidolin has ruled out picking Taylor for Saturday’s match at champions Leicester City.
Instead, Taylor will play on Friday night for the club’s under-23 team as he looks to regain full fitness following a break after his efforts at Euro 2016.
Guidolin said: “Neil asked me yesterday if he can play with the under-23s on Friday because he’s a little bit behind because he came back after a long tournament in the Euros.
“He will play with the under-23s and then he will be involved with the national team, so he won’t travel with us to Leicester.
“He understands that now he’s not ready. He is not 100 per cent fit and that is important. He’s honest about that.”
Young striker Oliver McBurnie, 20, who scored twice in the 3-1 victory at Peterborough, is also unlikely to be involved at Leicester, with Guidolin believing the Scot is still some way from being ready for the Premier League.
With record signing Borja Baston also still to recover from a thigh injury to make his debut, the striking duties against the champions are likely to again rest on the shoulders of Fernando Llorente.
Guidolin admitted his club’s recent record against his fellow Italian Claudio Ranieri’s Foxes has been poor. In their last three meetings, Leicester have won 2-0, 3-0, then 4-0.
Guidolin added: “We have to remember – we need some reflection on those results.
“We need to play a clever game this weekend, and we also need to play a courageous game against a very good team.
“It’s important to remember that we conceded seven goals against Leicester last year. I think Leicester are a strong team – they are almost the same as last season.
“Maybe against Hull (on the opening day) they were not lucky, then they drew with Arsenal.
“Leicester could make a good season in Premier League and Champions League because the players are strong players.”
Guidolin says he still requires a centre back to replace Ashley Williams, but is happy to allow chairman Huw Jenkins to lead the search.
““At the moment my focus is just for our game against Leicester. I’m not thinking about the transfer market. I think our chairman is working on this but I can say nothing at the moment.
“We need another centre-back. I am happy with the three centre-backs I have, but the season is very long so we need another one.
“After the Leicester game, we have time to take some decisions before the deadline.”
