Swansea midfielder Franco set for lengthy spell on sidelines with ankle injury



Rhodri Evans

Swansea City have confirmed that midfielder Goncalo Franco is facing 10 to 12 weeks on the sidelines after undergoing ankle surgery.

The 25-year-old was hurt in an accidental collision during a behind-closed-doors game held at Swansea’s Fairwood training ground last Saturday against Exeter City.

A scan revealed the 25-year-old suffered ligament damage and underwent surgery.

Franco has been an regular starter since joining from Moreirense in the summer of 2024, scoring six goals in 91 appearances for the Welsh club.

Franco’s injury, coupled with the departure of Ethan Galbraith, means Swansea head coach Vitor Matos will be without his first-chioce midfield pair to start the new Championship season.

Swansea have also let go of another midfielder this summer, Malick Yalcouye, after he played 36 times while on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion last season.

As it stands, the likes of Marko Stamenic, Jay Fulton, Melker Widell and Leo Walta are options in central midfield, where Swansea now look a little light on numbers.

Matos’ team start the 2026-27 campaign with a Carabao Cup tie against Birmingham City on Saturday, 8 August, with the league season beginning with a trip to Stoke the following weekend.


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