New Signing Ready to Shine for Swansea City

Swansea City's new defender Stephen Welsh is ready to hit the ground running in the Championship after Cameron Burgess' injury blow. The Swans get their league campaign under way with a trip to Stoke on Saturday (15:00 BST).

League Standing: 11th in Championship, 64 pts, 18W-10D-18L from 46 games, recent form WDWLW

Swansea City finished last season in 11th place in the Championship, with 64 points from 46 games. They have a recent form of WDWLW.

Stephen Welsh Ready to Make His Mark

Welsh will hope to make his club debut after he was an unused substitute in last weekend's 1-0 Carabao Cup defeat by Birmingham. Vitor Matos had made all five of his allowed changes by the time that Burgess landed awkwardly, with a scan confirming that the Australia centre-back had ruptured his right Achilles.

What Comes Next?

His misfortune opens up a spot next to Ben Cabango, with Welsh aiming to grasp his chance if he gets the nod. "When I signed I was ready to come in and play," said the former Celtic defender. "I have come in with a winning mentality from where I am from, it's all about winning and performing. This is a great opportunity to start well.

Goals This Season: 57 Scored, 59 Conceded (-2 Goal Difference)

Swansea City have scored 57 goals and conceded 59 this season, with a goal difference of -2.

Title Race: 31 Points Behind Leaders Coventry

The Swans are 31 points behind leaders Coventry in the Championship title race.

What Welsh Said

"I personally want to play as many games as possible and know how challenging the Championship schedule can be with games coming thick and fast," Welsh said. "Within a few hours Swansea were on the phone," said the 26-year-old. "That was the main reason that I wanted to come down, how quickly they acted.

What Comes Next?

"Within a day I was on the phone to Vitor Matos, with him telling me about the club and what he wants to do this season, how he sees his back four working and what he wants from me personally," Welsh said. "The way he spoke about the team was very positive, so within a few days I was signed and ready to go."