Oli: I want to be a mainstay

Oli McBurnie is hoping to see his name on the teamsheet – and the scoresheet – on a regular basis this season after signing a new Swansea City contract.

McBurnie has ended talk that he could be lured away by a rival club this summer by agreeing a three-year deal with the option of a fourth year.

The 22-year-old was keen to know what sort of role he could expect to play under Graham Potter before recommitting to the Swans.

But after speaking to the new Swans boss on the opening day of pre-season, McBurnie was happy to put pen to paper.

The target now for the striker is to nail down a place in Potter’s starting side.

“I want to play regular football,” McBurnie said.

“That was one of the key things for me. If you want to be playing international football, as I do, you need to be playing first-team football for your club.

“If you are not playing regularly, you are not going to get picked.

“I have only had four starts at Swansea. Now I want to prove myself to the gaffer and everyone else and show that I can be a mainstay in this team.”

A regular goalscorer at under-23 level, McBurnie has netted twice for the Swans in 18 senior appearances, only four of which have been starts.

But he served notice of his ability to find the target at Championship level on a consistent basis during a loan spell at Barnsley last season.

McBurnie netted nine times in just 17 appearances for a struggling Tykes side, a contribution which saw him land the player of the year award at Oakwell.

Now the Scottish international forward is hoping to weigh in with his share of goals in Swans colours.

“That’s what I want,” he added.

“After the Barnsley loan, I feel like I know what this league is about and I can play in this league.

“I am just looking forward to getting going now. I am itching to start the season like all the boys. If I can score a few goals then that will be great.”