Josh Key | I feel the fittest I have ever been

Josh Key believes he is in the best physical shape of his career so far as he and Swansea City prepare for this afternoon’s friendly against FC Köln.

The Swans take on the 2. Bundesliga side at Thermenstadion Bad Waltersdorf on Wednesday, with kick-off at 4pm local time.

Tickets for the game – who were relegated from the German top-flight at the conclusion of last season – will be available from the stadium from two hours before kick-off.

It is the first of two fixtures Luke Williams’ squad have on the agenda this week and, after being put through their paces in the stifling heat, defender Key is hungry for the chance to get more minutes under his belt.

For every player, the thing you look forward to is playing games. You can love training, but it is the matches where you are trying to have that end product and that’s the challenge you enjoy,” he said.

“We know this is going to be a tough test, and one we need because we really want to push this season.

“I am really looking forward to it, hopefully we can handle the heat. I think our fitness levels will show and we will be able to show the work we have been doing.

“Compared to other pre-seasons I have had in the past, and with the work we are doing here, this is probably the fittest I have ever been.

“It is credit to the people who are putting the work into us. Sometimes you don’t like them, but it’s all to push us in the right direction.

“It’s been good, we have been worked hard. I think when you come to places like this you need to use the heat to your advantage.

“We have got some good games coming up, and we will be playing those games from a place where our bodies are fatigued, which is a good test because you need to be able to play and make the right decisions even when you are feeling fatigue.”