Laudrup rejects claims Swansea will struggle without Michu

London: The Premier League`s joint-top goalscorer has been ruled out of his side`s trip to Fulham on Saturday with ankle ligament damage.

Swansea City manager Michael Laudrup has rejected claims that his squad will struggle in the absence of striker Michu. The £2 million summer acquisition from Rayo Vallecano has netted 13 goals in just 18 games this term, which has put him joint-top of the Premier League’s goalscoring charts alongside Robin van Persie. The Spaniard suffered ankle ligament damage in the 0-0 draw with Reading on Boxing Day and will miss Saturday’s trip to Fulham, but Laudrup is hopeful of a return three days later for his side`s fixture against Aston Villa. "I think in a few days he could be ready but obviously for tomorrow`s game he is ruled out," Laudrup told reporters. "But I hope with some good work from our physios he can be back on Tuesday [against Aston Villa]. If not he will be back for the week after when we have three games in six days. "To say you don`t miss your top scorer would be a lie but you can`t count on one player for the whole season without him getting injured or suspended. "I think he has played 10 or 11 games on four yellow cards. But now he is injured and out of the game tomorrow." Goal.Com