|
"We're looking at finishing first in the table and Carlisle could be a huge game in that battle. But the main thing we're thinking about is promotion and it's massive as far as that goes. If we win, we will be 12 points in front of Doncaster with four games left.
"It won't be all over, but I can't see them winning every game they have left 3-0 and us not picking up another point. A win tonight would be massive for us. We've had other games where we've known we've had to perform. Look at Bristol Rovers away, for instance. We knew we had to win that game and we did it. Carlisle is the same, and hopefully we can get the same result.
"We have performed well against the sides around us this year and I know all the boys will have fire in their bellies because this is such a big game. We know it will be a difficult test going to the side who are second in the league, but these are the games you want to be involved in as a player. We want to go there and show Carlisle what we're made of.
"Saturday was difficult to take. I just think we lost a bit of concentration at the end and we all finished up with our heads down in the dressing room. But we have a great chance to put things right against Carlisle. Nothing has slipped away.
"Everything is still in our grasp and we're looking forward to a big opportunity. If we can get a win, Saturday will be behind us and hopefully we'll be looking forward to a celebration next weekend. We haven't thought about a party yet, but hopefully we'll be planning one very soon."
Meanwhile Dutch goalkeeper Dorus de Vries added :
We have to show that we're real men at Carlisle now. We needed the win against Bournemouth just to secure our promotion, but now we have to pick ourselves up and make sure we do it tonight. We have done well against the teams up there with us this season, like at Doncaster and Nottingham Forest, so we're not going to fear anything going into the game.''
In Swansea squad news left-back Marcos Painter and pacey right-winger Paul Anderson (both hamstring) have both been declared fit for the game tonight. Painter has been out since limping off with a reoccurence of his injury at Northampton in mid-March, while Anderson has not appeared in the league since late January.
In worse news for City boss Roberto Martinez though, Dutch under-23 international central midfielder Ferrie Bodde is still sidelined with a groin problem, while 29-year old centre-half, and skipper, Garry Monk, also sits out the game with a back injury.
The referee for tonight's match is Steve Tanner from Bristol, and he will be assisted down the lines by Nigel Bannister from Goole in East Yorkshire and Mo Matadar from Blackburn. Meanwhile the fourth official is Andy Haines from Sunderland.