Rangel ready to fight for place

Last updated : 01 October 2010 By BBC Sport

The Swans, including young Neil Taylor, have flourished with the Spaniard out, lying just outside the play-offs after five wins from nine league matches.

"I don't know who they can pull out of the team, it's very hard to get in - they are doing well collectively," said Rangel ahead of Saturday's Derby visit.

"Neil is doing really well, I don't know if the gaffer is going to change anything.

"The only thing that I can do is work hard."

Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers suggested that some fresh legs could boost his high-flying side, who will be defending a 100% record at the Liberty Stadium this season.

Rodgers ready for Rams challenge

"We've obviously had a lot of games in the last few weeks so we'll make sure everyone's refreshed and ready to go," Rodgers told BBC Sport Wales.

"Angel's looking terrific, he's been training really well. He's a great professional who's come back quicker than we expected.

"Neil has done terrific, he's a young guy who's come in at 21 years of age from the lower leagues and has filled the breach very well.

"He has good pace and - although he has a lot of things to learn - he knows that, that is very important.

"That's the sort of competition we need in every position to build a team."

Swansea won both fixtures against Derby 1-0 last season, but the clash that will be remembered is February's fiery game at Pride Park that saw both sides reduced to 10 men.

A mass brawl at the end saw both clubs later hit with fines.

Shefki Kuqi got the winner in that match, but the big striker will now line up against the Swans as he is on loan at the Rams.

Shefki Kuqi is now a Derby player"He's a very difficult striker to mark, he always chases down defenders and is very good in the air," Rangel told BBC Sport Wales.

"I expect a similar game to when Derby came to Swansea last year, they were very organised and we couldn't break them down until the last minutes of the game.

"They've won their last two games and are a very confident side - but we are as well, we've won every single game at home.

"I hope that can carry on and we'll get all three points."

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport