Cian eyes cup success

Cian Harries is targeting a strong run in this season’s Premier League International Cup.

Swansea City Under-23s launch their Group E campaign against Spanish outfit Villarreal B at Landore on Wednesday (7pm).

They are aiming for an impressive showing after exiting last year’s competition in the group stage.

The development side reached the semi-finals in 2016-17 and skipper Harries is looking for more of the same two years on.

“This competition is really important to us,” he said.

“You play teams from different countries with different cultures and footballing ideas to us.

“We need to impose ourselves on the Villarreal game, respect what they’re good at and find a way to combat them.

“Hopefully, we can go as far as possible this year.”

Harries played in the 2-0 defeat by Athletic Bilbao which ended the Swans' hopes in last season’s competition.

Two late goals from the Spaniards were enough to eliminate the Swans, who lost Adnan Maric and Jordon Garrick to red cards in the dying moments.

Harries believes the under-23s have learned from that disappointment and since used it to their advantage.

“We dealt with Bilbao quite well but they scored two late goals to send us packing,” the defender added.

“It was a tough night for us and we ended up having two men sent off.

“I remember we were on a winning streak in the league at the time and it gave us a bit of a kick up the backside because we bounced back by going on another unbeaten run after that.

“With a bit of luck, we can be more competitive this year.”