Swansea City defender Cameron Burgess has ruptured his Achilles tendon, dealing the club a major setback just before the new Championship season begins. The injury could keep the 30-year-old out for a significant period and potentially the whole 2026-27 campaign, weakening a defence in which he was a key figure.

Burgess suffered the injury during last weekend’s EFL Cup defeat by Birmingham City and will require surgery. He played every league minute for Swansea last season after joining from Ipswich in 2025, while also representing Australia at the summer World Cup; Stephen Welsh and Filip Lissah may now start against Stoke, with Swansea expected to seek another centre-back.