Mark Gower seems certain to be thrust into action today and is ready to play his part in the promotion drive

Injuries to several members of the Swansea City midfield mean that Gower is likely to assume a role in that position today as the team look to extend a 12 match unbeaten league run that stretches back to December.

Ironically it was today's opponents Nottingham Forest who inflicted the last defeat on the Swans in the league and that will be a statistic that the team will look to correct at the City Ground.

But whilst that may set the record right, Gower is looking beyond today and trying to secure a more permanent spot in the starting line up.

He told the Western Mail "The boys are dropping like flies and centre midfield is a possibility for me

“The gaffer has trained all season with different players coming in, not just working with what he thinks is his first XI.

“We’ve worked all season with players in different positions so that people who come in know their job.

“It won’t be a problem if I go in the middle because I know what I’ve got to do if I do play in there.

“I played there as a kid – I started my career there before being pushed out to the wings in my early 20s – and for the gaffer earlier on in the season before I got injured.

“So I am used to the role, both in matches and in training.

There’s a lot more positioning needed, where you’ve got to be either when you’ve got possession or you haven’t,” he said.

“If you lose the ball out wide it’s not so detrimental, but lose it in the middle and the opposition can hit you on the break.

“There’s a bit more responsibility to keep the ball, but I’ve said before I don’t care where I play as long as I play.

“I’ll do a job wherever I’m asked to. I’m finding my feet again as I was out for three months in the end, and I need a few games to get back where I was.

“Hopefully I’ll get a shot at Forest and take it.

“We’re going to be saying it’s a big game every week now until the end of the season, but Forest are obviously just above us in the league,” said Gower.

“It’s a little bit premature to say we’ll make the play-offs because look what happened to Cardiff last year.

“They looked like they were cemented, but then they went and lost a game 6-0 and ended up missing out on goal difference.

“But we’re pretty formidable at home – so if we can pick up some points away we’ll have a strong case of being right up there.”

Photo: Action Images

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