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Swansea confirm fractured ankle for Taylor

Neil Taylor receives oxygen after being tackled by Craig Gardner © Getty Images

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Swansea manager Michael Laudrup has confirmed Neil Taylor suffered a fractured ankle in their 2-2 Liberty Stadium draw with Sunderland.

The Wales left-back was hurt in a 16th-minute challenge with Craig Gardner as the players collided after going for the ball, with Taylor's lower leg awkwardly buckling under him as the pair fell to the ground.

Taylor was stretchered off after prolonged treatment and Laudrup said: "I just talked to the doctor and we are still not 100 per cent but there is a fracture, at least one.

"We are talking about a long period of rehabilitation before he returns to the game, I can't tell you precisely how long because I don't know.''

Steven Fletcher started to repay the £12 million fee Sunderland paid to secure his services from Wolves by bagging a brace either side of Wayne Routledge's strike to give the visitors a 2-1 interval lead.

Michu powered in a header to level with his fourth goal in three games for Swansea, but they could not find a winner after Chico Flores was red-carded 18 minutes from time for a recklessly high challenge on Black Cats substitute Louis Saha.

Martin O'Neill was delighted by Fletcher's contribution, and hopes he can be the goalscorer Sunderland have been lacking since the sale of Darren Bent to Aston Villa in January 2011.

He said: "Darren Bent did very well here and Steven has come here to score goals. But he can also do well for us outside the penalty area, he has a lovely touch, but it was very pleasing for him to get off the mark.

"With all the euphoria of Adam [Johnson] signing for us he was maybe in his shadow a bit, but he is a very good player.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.