Europa League: Neil Taylor out of Swansea's Petrolul Ploiesti trip

Image source, Huw Evans picture agency

Swansea City will be without Neil Taylor for the second leg of their Europa League play-off tie against Petrolul Ploiesti on Thursday.

The Wales left-back will not travel to Romania after suffering severe bruising on his thigh in the 5-1 win at home in the first leg at the Liberty Stadium.

Taylor is set to be out for four to six weeks so fellow Wales international Ben Davies will be first-choice left-back.

Nathan Dyer will also miss the tie due to a current hamstring injury.

Taylor will also miss Wales' next two 2014 World Cup qualifiers, in Macedonia on 6 August and against Serbia at Cardiff City Stadium on 10 September.

Swans head physiotherapist Kate Rees said: "Neil picked up a slight dead leg in the Europa League game last Thursday, but he was able to train on Friday and Saturday.

"However, the haematoma re-bled on Sunday and he was admitted to hospital as a precaution.

"While there is no serious muscle or tissue damage, he suffered severe swelling and bruising to his thigh which will take between four to six weeks to clear up."

Winning last season's Capital One Cup sent the Swans into Europe.

They saw off Malmo over two legs and have an overwhelming lead ahead going into Thursday's trip to Ploiesti.

If Michael Laudrup's side complete the job they will qualify for the Europa League group stage, which guarantees at least another six European matches.

However, Swansea have lost their opening two Premier League games against Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspure, and travel to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.