'High as a kite' Joel Latibeaudiere's Swansea City phone call after brutal injury as next 48 hours crucial to transfer plans

Russell Martin expected Joel Latibeaudiere to be out of action for at least three to four months after dislocating his shoulder.

The defender sustained the injury in the opening half of Swansea City's 2-2 draw with Millwall on Tuesday night and was carried off the pitch on a stretcher. He is now unlikely to feature before the season is temporarily paused for the World Cup in Qatar.

"He was in agony. I’m so sad for him," said Martin. "He’s one of the best, Joel. One of the best pros, best lads, mentality, focus every day, as a team-mate the amount of value he adds. I’m really gutted for him. I’m getting a bit emotional talking about him."

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And when asked for a time frame on the 22-year-old's expected absence, Martin responded: "Three to four months hopefully, but maybe a bit longer, we'll see with the scan next week when the swelling goes down.

"It’s quite a bad one. It looks like an unnecessary challenge really. He’s back in today and he’ll be at the game tomorrow.

"It’s tough to take. He’s come back in such good shape, he’s in the best shape we’ve seen him in. His performances in pre-season and since the start of the season in any position have been outstanding.

"He was as high as a kite on drugs the other night when he was waiting for his shoulder to be put back in. The first thing he did was ring Gilly [Matt Gill] to say he should have scored that chance, that sums him up.

"The fact we drew the game, he couldn’t believe it. He thought that was the drugs talking! He’ll be so important around this place.

"It just sums him up as a lad. We might get him involved doing some other stuff for us.