Jazz hails Swans' squad strength

Jazz Richards hailed Swansea City's squad depth and competition for places ahead of a busy festive period.

The Swans kicked off December - and a run of seven games in 30 days - with a 2-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday night.

That win lifted Garry Monk's side up to sixth in the Premier League table as late goals from Ki Sung-Yueng and Wayne Routledge broke the visitors' resistance.

And Richards, making only his second league start this season, insists every player has to be ready to be called upon in this busy period.

"It's hard to come in and try to prove yourself," he said. "But I've got a lot more to show and hopefully I've done enough to stay in the squad.

"All the boys are ready, including the youngsters - and that's the way you have to be.

"The training here is high intensity and if anyone is called upon then we have to be ready."

Tuesday's win over QPR came just three days after a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at the Liberty Stadium.

For long periods it looked as though the Swans might be denied another three points as R's keeper Rob Green made a string of fine saves.

But Richards hailed the home side's patience as they earned a fifth home win of the campaign.

"We have been performing well lately, it was just a case that we needed the goals and needed the win," he said. "It hasn't been a case of us performing badly, we just haven't had the luck in front of goal of late.

"The manager told us to stay patient and the chances will come.

"Their goalkeeper was on top form, but we kept plugging away and when we got the first one I thought we looked comfortable."