Swansea v Crystal Palace preview

Team news for Saturday's Championship clash between Swansea and Crystal Palace at the Liberty Stadium (kick-off 12.45pm).

Last Updated: 14/01/11 at 10:14   

Tate: Served suspension

Tate: Served suspension

Alan Tate makes a timely return from suspension to take the captain's armband for Swansea.

The left-back completed a three-match ban with the passing of last weekend's 4-0 FA Cup triumph over Colchester, but the vice-captain is likely to make his comeback at the heart of defence against the Eagles after regular skipper Garry Monk was ruled out for six to eight weeks.

Monk hobbled off just before the half-hour mark last weekend fearing he had again damaged his cruciate ligament but scans this week has revealed he instead ruptured a medial knee ligament.

Angel Rangel is expected to overcome a groin problem to regain his spot in one of the full-back positions, with Albert Serran, Daniel Alfei and Ashley 'Jazz' Richards competing for the other due to left-back Neil Taylor (ankle) remaining three weeks off fitness.

Midfielder Andrea Orlandi may also return having recovered from a thigh strain while there could be a league debut for striker Luke Moore after he started the FA Cup tie last Saturday following his switch from West Brom.

Jordi Lopez will not be available however after he cancelled his contract with the club by mutual consent on Thursday, while striker Jermaine Easter has seen his loan spell cut short by parent club MK Dons. Easter has been linked with a permanent switch to Palace and could find himself in the away dressing room.

New Palace manager Dougie Freedman will check on midfield duo Darren Ambrose and Alex Marrow ahead of the trip to Wales.

Ambrose missed Saturday's FA Cup defeat at Coventry with a hamstring problem and Marrow, who recently signed a permanent deal from Blackburn, sat out with an ankle injury.

Pablo Counago could start alongside recent signing Steffen Iversen in attack after the Spanish striker came on before half-time at the weekend in place of Alessane N'Diaye.

Defender Claude Davis was an unused substitute after a hamstring strain and could be drafted in if Freedman opts to make further changes.

Freedman, who scored 108 goals in two spells with Palace, was handed a two-and-a-half year contract to become George Burley's successor this week.

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Championship Fixtures

Monday, 27 May 2013
15:00
C Palace v Watford

npower Championship

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Cardiff 46 27 87
2 Hull City 46 9 79
3 Watford 46 27 77
4 Brighton 46 26 75
5 C Palace 46 11 72
6 Leicester 46 23 68
7 Bolton 46 8 68
8 N Forest 46 4 67
9 Charlton 46 6 65
10 Derby 46 3 61
11 Burnley 46 2 61
12 Birmingham 46 -6 61
13 Leeds 46 -9 61
14 Ipswich 46 -13 60
15 Blackpool 46 -1 59
16 Middlesbro' 46 -9 59
17 Blackburn 46 -7 58
18 Sheff Wed 46 -8 58
19 Huddersfld 46 -20 58
20 Millwall 46 -11 56
21 Barnsley 46 -14 55
22 Peterboro 46 -9 54
23 Wolves 46 -14 51
24 Bristol C 46 -25 41

Updated Sat, 04 May 2013

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