Federico Fernandez: Swansea defender returns home after father's death

Federico Fernandez joined Swansea City from Napoli in 2014

Swansea City's Federico Fernandez will miss their next two matches following the death of his father.

The Argentina international defender returned home before Saturday's goalless home draw with Bournemouth.

Fernandez will miss Wednesday' game at Chelsea and Saturday's trip to Stoke City, according to the club's head coach Paul Clement.

"He will be back training with us next week leading into the game against West Brom," Clement confirmed.

Wilfried Bony will captain the team in Fernandez's absence at Stamford Bridge, when they will be without on-loan striker Tammy Abraham who is unable to face his parent club.

The Swans' draw with Bournemouth ended a run of four consecutive Premier League defeats and Clement hopes his side can build on their improved performance.

"We go there with belief, we have to build on what happened in the last game, that is the main thing for us," he said.

"For a long time I've been speaking about getting the level of the performance up. We got that against Bournemouth, let's now go to Chelsea, work on our performance and see what happens."

But Clement, who was assistant to Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea, warned: "I think the run of games coming up now are arguably harder on paper, but I think you have to use that to your advantage and make sure it keeps you focused and on your toes.

"There certainly won't be any relaxing going into Chelsea, Stoke, West Brom and Manchester City."

Clement was critical of referee Stuart Attwell in the draw with Bournemouth after the official ruled out an effort from Bony.

However, he defended the standard of officials in the Premier League.

"I think the standard of refereeing in this country is very good," said Clement, who has coached at Bayern Munich, Paris St-Germain and Real Madrid.

"I have worked in three other countries and this is by far the highest standard of refereeing.

"There have only been two other occasions in all the games we have had and now this one where I have made comments about the referee.

"I think the standard of refereeing in that game was below the level of the required of the Premier League. And I have no doubt in the future we will get better performances from referees."