Swansea City hoping for Neil Taylor fitness boost

Neil Taylor is playing in his first Premier League season

Swansea City hope Wales left-back Neil Taylor will be fit to face Premier League title challengers Chelsea to avert a defensive crisis.

The Swans are already without defenders Stephen Caulker and Alan Tate, as well as defensive midfielder Kemy Agustien.

Striker Danny Graham (back) will have a fitness test ahead of the Chelsea game.

Taylor went off on a stretcher in the 3-0 win over West Brom and needed six stitches for a head injury after suffering mild concussion.

Swansea's club doctors will assess on Thursday whether the 22-year-old will be available for Saturday's trip to Stamford Bridge.

Taylor was injury after an "honest" collision with striker Peter Odemwingie as Taylor made a far-post clearance.

Odemwingie was booked for the challenge but Rodgers dismissed it as a clash of heads.

"It was a brave header at the back post," he said.

"He knows he is going to get clattered, but he made a good contact and Odemwingie has come in behind him. But he is fine, he is getting stitches in his head so he is happy."

Taylor was replaced by Fede Bessone with five minutes remaining in their 3-0 victory over the Baggies at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.

Argentine defender Bessone, a transfer deadline day signing, could be in line to stand in for Taylor at Chelsea this Saturday if he does not recover while Wales under-21 international Daniel Alfei is also in the frame for a call.

Caulker (knee), Tate (broken leg), Agustien (hamstring) and striker Craig Beattie (ankle) are long-term injury problems for Swansea.

The Swans have only won once at Stamford Bridge, beating Chelsea 3-1 in the old Division Two back in November 1925.