Stewart not ready as Franco eyes early return

[Getty Images] New Swansea City signing Ross Stewart will not be considered for Saturday's EFL Cup tie with Birmingham City because of a lack of fitness. The striker has signed a three-year deal with Swansea having been a free agent after leaving Southampton in June. Though he went to the World Cup with Scotland, Stewart has joined Swansea having been without a club during pre-season. "He will not be involved [against Birmingham]," said Swansea head coach Vitor Matos. "He has missed all pre-season so he will need to start and step by step, [he will] get into the team." Swansea's only other absentee for the Birmingham game is Goncalo Franco, who has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury in the early stages of pre-season. In mid-July, Swansea said the midfielder would be out for up to 12 weeks after undergoing surgery. However, Franco is on course to come back earlier than expected, with the 25-year-old hoping to return to training by the end of August.