Britton calls on "togetherness"

Leon Britton has called on Swansea City's "togetherness" to help them return to winning ways against Bournemouth on Saturday (3pm).

The Swans return to Barclays Premier League action after the latest international break looking to turn their fortunes around after a difficult run.

And Britton has urged his team-mates - and everyone connected with the club - to pull together.

"At this moment in time we've got to be together," he said. "Whether that's the starting XI, the staff, the fans and everyone around the club.

"We've always had a great team spirit and togetherness and we need that more than ever in this run of games - and I can tell you that the spirit and togetherness of the team is there.

"As a club we've never been about individual players, it's always been about the squad and the team.

"We're all behind the manager. Everyone that knows him knows his best interests are Swansea City - that's what he cares about.

"He hurts when we are not winning games and he has something a bit deeper inside him when it comes to Swansea and I hope we can all do well for him."

The Swans welcome Bournemouth to the Liberty on Saturday with the visitors featuring in the top-flight for the first time in their history.

Eddie Howe's men surged to the Championship title last season in emphatic fashion and started the current campaign well before injuries hit the squad.

Top scorer Callum Wilson was sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury, while club-record signing Tyrone Mings and Max Gradel are also ruled out for lengthy periods.

That has coincided with a run of eight games without victory and five defeats in six, but Britton has urged caution against a side that has won plaudits for their style of play this season.

"Eddie Howe has done a fantastic job there," he said. "They went through a bad time financially a few years ago and its been a great story of them coming up into Premier League.

"They have been unlucky with injuries but they are a team I love watching and I like the way they play the game.

"They are fighting for their lives and they will come here and think they could get a positive result.

"But we need to try and get on top of them and try and get the three points."

Britton, meanwhile, is hoping to be involved this weekend after recent substitute appearances against Arsenal and Norwich, and the midfielder insists he is raring to go if called upon.

"I haven't played as many games as I would have liked but I've remained patient and the manager always knows I'm available if he needs me," said Britton.

"You just want to get out on the pitch and help your team, but it's about staying patient and training well.

"But if I do get an opportunity then one thing is for sure and that is that I'll give everything."