Swansea City will be without first-choice right-back Josh Key for several weeks after he suffered a hamstring injury. The 26-year-old was forced off at half-time during last weekend's 3-1 victory over Burnley and will miss the upcoming run of Championship fixtures.
Head coach Vitor Matos confirmed the setback, stating the club would provide a formal update on the timeline. "Josh will stay out for a little bit - the club will announce it," Matos said. He added, "We all know how important Keysey is for us," acknowledging the potential for a lengthy absence.
The injury comes as Swansea sit top of the Championship table with 17 points from eight games. Their most recent result was a 2-1 comeback win at Lincoln City last Saturday, a match where Key's replacement, Filip Lissah, provided the assist for Stephen Eustáquio's decisive goal.
Lissah steps into the breach
With Key unavailable, academy product Filip Lissah becomes the only recognised senior right-back in the squad. The 21-year-old, who is naturally a central defender, played the full 90 minutes at Lincoln and received a yellow card, leaving him one caution away from a suspension.
Swansea now face a three-week break before their next match, a home fixture against Norwich City on Saturday 10 October. That game kicks off a demanding period of seven league matches in 28 days, testing the squad's depth.
Key's absence is a blow to a defence that has conceded just six goals this season, the joint-best record in the division. The team's current form shows three wins, one draw, and one loss from their last five outings. Supporters can track the latest standings as the Swans aim to maintain their position at the summit.
Cameron Burgess also remains on the sidelines, meaning Matos will have to manage his defensive resources carefully during this congested period. The next test is Norwich at home in three weeks' time.
