Cameron Toshack | Steve Cooper presence should inspire U23s

Cameron Toshack hopes the presence of Steve Cooper at a recent friendly will provide an additional incentive for his Swansea City Under-23s' squad.

Along with chairman Trevor Birch and football advisor to the board Leon Britton, Cooper was at Landore to watch the development side in action against Wolves on Monday.

The 2018-19 season saw Swansea among the EFL's leaders when it came to handing out game time to players aged 23 or under, and the development side will be hopeful that they can create similar chances for themselves this term.

Toshack revealed that the Swans head coach has already spoken to his players; insisting that opportunities will be there should they regularly produce the goods at under-23 level under he and Gary Richards. 

“It’s great for the players to know that Steve, Trevor and Leon were watching on Monday,” he said.

“There will be opportunities at this football club over the next year to 18 months for them to step up to the first team.

“Obviously, Gary and I have worked with a number of the first-team squad and it’s clear that our current group see the pathway.

“There are a lot of players chomping at the bit trying to get that opportunity for themselves.

“Steve has been great. He has already met with the players and told them that this is where they have to prove themselves.

“If they do so on a consistent basis, he will certainly have a look at them in the first-team environment – whether that be a training session or even getting on the bench at some point during the season.

“It’s great that he’s visible and the young players understand there are opportunities for them.”