Matt Grimes Swansea City Under-21s

Midfielder Matt Grimes hopes his 90-minute outing with Swansea City Under-21s will ensure he is ready for first-team action

Grimes featured for the full game as the Development squad were beaten 3-0 by West Brom at Tamworth's Lamb Ground.

The 20-year-old has made just two appearances for the senior side this season - including a first goal in the Capital One Cup win over York City in August - while he was an unused substitute for last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Manchester City.

And he feels his first run out this season for the U21s will benefit him greatly.

"It was great to get back out there for the Under-21s on Monday," he said. "Unfortunately we did not get the result we wanted but I really enjoyed playing.

"It was great to get 90 minutes under my belt. It is important to have game time - as a football player you need to play games in order to keep improving and developing.

"If the games are not coming with the first team then it is a great opportunity for me to play with the Under-21s.

"I feel my chance with the senior team will come this season - it is what I am striving towards and training hard each day for.

"Whenever that chance comes I will be ready."

During his appearance for the U21s, Grimes went close to levelling the score against West Brom with his curling free-kick just kept out by keeper Jack Rose.

First-team striker Saido Berahino later scored from the penalty spot before Callum McManaman added a late third to see off the young Swans.

Despite the defeat, Grimes felt there were positives to take from the performance.

"There were lots of potential turning points in the game and the penalty was one of them," he said.

"We had the opportunities to change the game when we were 1-0 down but unfortunately it was not our day.

"But there were certainly some positive aspects of our performance to take from the game, which will serve the team going forward this season."