Tate hopeful Walsh and Grimes will be fit for Blackburn opener

Alan Tate is hopeful Liam Walsh and Matt Grimes will be fit and available for Swansea City’s Championship opener at Blackburn Rovers.

Summer signing Walsh came off as a precaution half-hour into the Swans final pre-season friendly against Southampton at the Liberty, which the Premier League side won 3-1.

First-team coach Tate said the former Bristol City player had felt a tightness in his hamstring, and was brought off to ensure he did no further damage to the area.

Grimes, meanwhile, missed the friendlies against the Saints and Forest Green with a knock, but he is expected to be in contention for selection at Ewood Park.

“Walshy felt a tightness in his hamstring and he was brought off as a precaution,” said first-team coach Tate.

“It was not what we wanted but it is understandable with the time out he has had over the past year.

“But he was brought off as a precaution, that was all. He just felt it tighten up on the turn.

“It could that with physio work on him Sunday, Monday and Tuesday will get him back in the frame for Saturday.

“That is certainly what we are planning.

“Matt came out to train the other day and was not feeling 100 per cent, and we did not want to take any risks with him given it was a pre-season game.

“We will start looking at Matt again on Monday or Tuesday in preparation for Blackburn.”