Andre Ayew: Ghana captain will not miss Swansea City games, says Steve Cooper

Andre Ayew is Swansea's top scorer this season with 14 goals

Head coach Steve Cooper says Andre Ayew will not be absent for any Swansea City fixtures as a result of the upcoming international break.

Ayew's Ghana play qualifying matches in South Africa and at home to Sao Tome & Principe.

Current Covid-19 rules say anyone who has visited South Africa within 10 days before they travel must quarantine for 10 days on arrival in the UK.

But Cooper said: "He won't miss any Swansea games, that's for sure."

Cooper added: "Plans are still getting firmed up. Everybody's in agreement over what may or may not happen, especially Andre.

"That will come to light over the next day or two but everything's under control. Everybody should benefit from Andre."

South Africa is on the UK government's red list, meaning travel bans are in place.

Ghana play South Africa on 25 March before hosting Sao Tome & Principe in a second Africa Cup of Nations qualifier three days later.

Swansea go to Birmingham City on 2 April.

Ayew, Ghana's captain, has not been named in the initial squad for their two games, although it could be that he joins up with his national team after they play in South Africa.

He would not then be required to quarantine as Ghana is not a red-list country.

Ayew's brother, Crystal Palace forward Jordan, as well as his Eagles team-mate Jeffrey Schlupp and Arsenal's Thomas Partey have also been omitted from the Ghana squad.

Swansea face Cardiff City on Saturday in their last game before the international break - and 10th in 31 days - with Cooper hoping national team coaches will take note of the hectic Championship fixture list.

Swansea pair Connor Roberts and Ben Cabango are in the Wales squad, Ryan Manning and Conor Hourihane will go away with the Republic of Ireland and Marc Guehi has been called up by England Under-21s.

"I have been on the other side in international football and I know how important it is and what it takes to be productive," said former England Under-17s boss Cooper.

"But something that's always been in my mind has been taking care of the players.

"There's no excuses not to get the programmes right when they are with international teams because in the end they are the clubs' players.

"The players need really looking after."