Matt Grimes | Togetherness will be key

Captain Matt Grimes believes that squad togetherness will be key for Swansea City as they head into their final 17 matches of the Championship campaign.

The skipper will lead his team out at Bramall Lane on Saturday against a Sheffield United team widely expected to secure promotion as they lie second in the table with a handy cushion over the play-off places.

The Swans still have aspirations to force their way into those play-off spots, and will look to bounce back after an agonising late defeat against Birmingham which compounded a difficult week following the end of the January transfer window.

Midfielder Grimes admitted there was a lot of hurt felt by one of the Championship's youngest squads at how the three points slipped away against the Blues, 

But he believes the unity between staff and players can help them overcome that disappointment and hopefully finish the campaign strongly.

“The most disappointing thing last week was the result. It hurt us, it hurt all of us but there’s no time to rest in the Championship, it’s a relentless schedule," said Grimes.

“There has been a lot said about January, but I don’t think the transfer window really has an impact on players. We’re there to do our jobs. We would have liked a few fresh faces in the building just to give the squad a little boost, but it is what it is.

“We’re a close knit group. We’re a group full of young, hungry players who want to achieve things in their careers.

“It’s a fantastic group, fantastic staff and I think we’ll just crack on now. The squad is where it is, and before the weekend that was three points off the play-offs,

While the January transfer window didn’t see any new additions at the Swans Fairwood training base, Grimes believes that the squad has been given a boost by the return of Morgan Whittaker.

The 22-year-old had been one of League One’s standout performer during his six-month loan spell at Plymouth Argyle and he will now look to kick on in a Swans shirt.

“We’ve brought Morgan back, which is a massive plus,” added Grimes.

“He’s going to be really strong towards the end of the season and he can really help us.

“So yeah, it’s been disappointing but we’ve got more than enough to kick on and have a strong finish to the season.”