Key blow as right-back faces spell out with hip injury

Swansea City right-back Josh Key will miss at least three more matches with a hip problem.

Key sat out the defeat by Coventry City before the international break after picking up the injury during Swansea's loss at Wrexham on 13 March.

The 26-year-old has now been ruled out of Friday's trip to Sheffield United, the home game against Middlesbrough next Monday and the fixture at Leicester City on Saturday, 11 April.

Swansea hope he will then return for the final four games of the campaign, though there are no guarantees.

"Josh had a knock against Wrexham," said head coach Vitor Matos.

"Let's see how much time he will need. It's a tricky, strange injury because it was a knock and with the knock the muscle tore a little bit, so let's see how he can cope with the return."

The injury is particularly disappointing for Key given that he had recently regained his starting place – and recaptured some of his best form – after a difficult season.

In his absence, Swansea may again deploy Ethan Galbraith at right-back, though he is also battling to be fit for the Sheffield United game after complaining of a calf issue following Northern Ireland's friendly draw with Wales on Tuesday.

Joel Ward is another option to start on the right flank of defence, while Matos says youngster Sam Parker is another who could come into contention having impressed in training.