Oli relishing Swans return

Oli McBurnie insists he cannot wait for the new season to start as he eyes a chance to shine under Graham Potter.

McBurnie is back at Swansea City after scoring in nine goals in just 17 appearances during a highly impressive loan spell at Barnsley in the second half of 2017-18.

Now the striker is hoping for an opportunity to nail down a place in Potter’s Swans side.

“I have had a chat with the new manager this week – we had a long chat about football,” McBurnie explained.

“He is a really intelligent guy who seems to love his football.

“We got on really well. We spoke about his plans for me this season and for the team this season and I am looking forward to it.”

McBurnie’s sparkling contribution saw him named player of the year at Barnsley even though he only moved to Oakwell at the back-end of the January transfer window.

There was big disappointment for the Tykes as they were relegated on the final day of the season, but McBurnie could look back on his own contribution with considerable satisfaction.

“Last season was a mixed bag of emotions for me with how Swansea did and how Barnsley did in the end,” he said.

“On a personal note, I went out on loan to get some games, scores some goals and get a bit of confidence and I did that.

“Obviously, for the loan spell to end in relegation was disappointing, but on a personal note it went almost better than I could have expected.

“The Championship is a tough league, but credit to Barnsley for the way they treated me. I fitted in straightaway and thankfully I was able to score a couple of goals.

“That’s what I have always been about and hopefully I can take that into this season.

“I have had a couple of games with Scotland over the summer so I have come back feeling sharper than I might have done and I am raring to go.”

McBurnie made progress at the Liberty last season, racking up 12 senior Swans appearances before moving to Barnsley.

They included his first Premier League starts – against Liverpool and Newcastle – and some promising displays.

Now the player who joined the Swans from Bradford City three years ago is hungry for regular game-time in SA1.

“I hope there will be more opportunities for me this year,” added 22-year-old McBurnie.

“I had a little taste here and there under different managers last season.

“I think it was definitely the right time for me to go out on loan and get some consistent first-team football under my belt.

“But now I am fighting to impress the new manager here and I can’t wait for the season to start.”