Swansea City's automatic promotion chances are now hanging by a very thin thread after a third league defeat in succession on Friday night.

The Swans had lost twice in a row before the two-week international break, with losses coming away at AFC Bournemouth before defeat in the South Wales Derby against Cardiff City at the Liberty Stadium.

There was a good chance to get back to winning ways on Good Friday when they took a trip to lowly Birmingham City, but they were blunt in-front of goal and ended up losing out 1-0 thanks to a stoppage time Scott Hogan penalty.

That result left Swansea nine points behind second-placed Watford - albeit with a game in hand - and the next test comes tomorrow on Easter Monday with a visit from Preston North End.

The Lilywhites aren't safe from relegation just yet and confidence will be high after a last-minute equaliser against league leaders Norwich on Friday, and Steve Cooper has some selection dilemmas to contend with.

One player who definitely won't be available is Paul Arriola, as the January signing returned to the United States last week after suffering an injury that would keep him out for the remainder of the season.

 

 

 

 

Aside from that though, there are no real injury worries for Swansea, and the game could see the return of Conor Hourihane.

The Ireland midfielder limped out of the Cardiff clash in the first half a few weeks ago after picking up a hamstring injury, and he wasn't risked against Birmingham as he sat on the bench for the whole match.

But he should be fresh for this particular match and you'd expect him to slot right back in.

Youngster Liam Cullen will likely not be ready to return just yet from an ankle injury, and of the players who started on the bench on Friday night, Hourihane, Yan Dhanda and Ben Cabango could all come into the line-up should Cooper want to freshen up.