Wilfried's back in the groove

Wilfried Bony reckons he is finally back in the first-team groove ahead of Swansea City’s key clash with West Bromwich Albion this weekend.

The striker had not completed 90 minutes in the Premier League for 14 months until the Swans faced Bournemouth 12 days ago.

After playing the full game against the Cherries, Bony clocked up another 90 minutes at Chelsea four days later – and then did the same again at Stoke last weekend.

A player who has traditionally needed games to get up to speed, Bony claimed his first goal since rejoining the Swans in the Potters reverse.

And it might easily have been a second in three games had he not seen his strike against Bournemouth controversially ruled out by the referee.

Now, having got his match sharpness back, Bony will look to register again when the Swans face the Baggies.

“I think it was probably two seasons ago, when I was at Manchester City, that I last played 90 minutes three times in a week,” he said.

“My body is feeling okay. I had a little bit of pain in my legs after the three games but I will be ready for Saturday.

“I am happy because all you want as a player is to play games.

“The only way to get fit is to play. Once you play a few games you get more confidence.”

Bony’s goal put the Swans in control for a while at the bet365 Stadium, but Stoke fought back to inflict a sixth defeat in seven league games on Paul Clement’s side.

That painful sequence has seen the Swans drop to the bottom of the table ahead of Saturday’s meeting with 17th-placed Albion.

“We know it’s a crucial game,” Bony added.

“We are at home and we have to find a way to win. We are working hard to do that and I hope we can produce a better performance.

“The fans have been great in the last two or three games. We need them again and all together I think we can get the win.”