Leon Britton's has lost his race to be fit for the derby clash against Cardiff on Sunday.

Swansea City manager Roberto Martinez has been dealt another blow ahead of the much anticipated derby clash against Cardiff City on Sunday with the news that influential midfielder Leon Britton will not feature against the Bluebirds.

Speaking to the Western Mail Martinez confirmed that the diminutive midfielder had little or no chance of facing Cardiff, he said "Leon is a very big doubt, the fact he was not involved against Coventry shows he extent of his injury. It is a back problem, and he is 90 percent out of the derby.”

It leaves the Spaniard without the heart of Swansea City's midfield with Ferrie Bodde out for the season and derby goal hero Jordi Gomez out of the game through suspension the depth of the squad the club prides itself upon will be tested as Martinez outlined, he said "But this is just another test for our squad.”

Over the last few days Britton himself has been doing everything in his power to be available for selection from acupuncture to massage therapy but all his attempts have been in vain and will now have to be content with watching from sidelines.

Photo: Action Images

Queens Park Rangers Polls