SWANSEA City have suffered a double injury setback after Neil Taylor was ruled out for up to a month, while Andrea Orlandi will sit out the next fortnight.

Both players were taken off early on in the home win over Reading at the Liberty Stadium on New Year's Day.

Wales international Taylor had hoped to push his claim for a regular starting role at left-back following Alan Tate's suspension after the defeat to Queens Park Rangers.

With Tate banned, Taylor impressed in the home win over Barnsley but was forced off against the Royals with a strained ankle after just 28 minutes and replaced by Albert Serran.

It was a huge blow for Taylor, who has settled well into the Championship following his move from Wrexham in the summer.

The 21-year-old has featured 15 times for Swansea in the league, but his ankle injury means he is likely to miss Saturday's FA Cup clash with Colchester along with Championship matches with Crystal Palace, Barnsley and Bristol City. That leaves Swansea with just right-back Angel Rangel — who swapped flanks for the defeat at Leicester on Monday — and Jazz Richards as options available, though Serran could also be moved out left.

Orlandi managed just 23 minutes of the victory over Reading after he sustained a slight thigh strain.

Boss Brendan Rodgers does have cover in midfield, however, with Darren Pratley, Joe Allen, Mark Gower, Kemy Agustien and David Cotterill available.

CHRIS BARNEY