Swansea City striker Fernando Llorente is set to miss the Swans’ opening day fixture at Southampton.
The 32 year-old Spanish forward sustained a broken arm in a freak cycling accident whilst on holiday and it is looking likely that he will be ruled out of the Swans’ first game of the season.
The former Athletic Bilbao star was in sensational form last season, netting on 15 occasions in the Premier League as the Swans narrowly avoided relegation to the Championship.
Llorente being injured could pave the way for Tammy Abraham to make his debut for the Swans - the Chelsea loanee had an impressive season with Bristol City, scoring a total of 23 goals in 41 appearances for the Reds.
The Spaniard could also miss the Swans’ first home game of the season when they host Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United at the Liberty Stadium, however, he is edging closer to a return.
Swans manager Paul Clement commented about Llorente’s injury via the official Swansea City website - he said: “I think it is unlikely he will be involved in the first couple of games, but his return will not be long after that.”
“It was always going to be touch and go for the start of the season,”
“The most important thing is that we get the arm right. You don’t want him to refracture it and then end up with Fernando needing surgery, because a six-week injury can then become a six-month injury.”
The striker has also been linked with a move away from South Wales, with Premier League Champions Chelsea interested in the Spaniard’s services.
(Featured image: Save The Dream)