Ollie Cooper keen to build on "amazing" World Cup experience
Swansea City midfielder Ollie Copper wants to build on the experience learnt whilst being away on standby with Wales in the Qatar World Cup by continuing to learn and grow as a player with the Swans.
The 22-year-old was a travelling reserve for Wales in Qatar, and was involved in preparations for their trio of Group B games despite not being able to play.
Academy graduate Cooper loved the opportunity to work alongside the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, and to be around the game's biggest stage.
Now he is keen to kick on with his impressive form in the Championship, which has seen the Wales under-21 international score three times already in his breakout campaign, when they host Norwich on Saturday.
“It was amazing and something I will never forget. To go away and just be a part of it and train with the players, watch the games and experience the atmosphere is something that I will never forget," said Cooper of the World Cup.
“You always want more, but just to go away was a massive moment for me. I was so proud to go and be considered to be on standby. Now my aim is to get into the squad. Once I'm in the squad it is to get on the pitch. Hopefully, then I can show what I can do on the pitch.
“I’m going to continue to do what I did before I went away, which was focusing on the next game and then, when that one is done, focus on the next one. That is all we can do personally and as a team.
“If we continue doing that, we can get the results that we need and hopefully at the end of the season the outcome is what we want.
“I think every day is a chance to improve. I try to do that, even if it is gradual. The more you play, the more confident you get. Then you have more freedom and chance to express yourself on the pitch.
“I’m going to continue taking it game by game and doing everything I can at the training ground and on the pitch to keep improving."
Despite Cooper not having played since the Swans goalless draw against Huddersfield a month ago, he is raring to go and believes he has returned to SA1 in good physical shape.
“It’s been a while since I've played, but I just want to get back on the pitch and, if I get given the opportunity, to be ready," he said.
“It’s always difficult when you're not playing, so I tried to give myself the best chance by doing a lot more [training] over in Qatar.
"I made sure I kept myself ticking over and doing extra running and gym sessions to give myself the best chance to stay as match fit as I can, so I could be as ready as I can when I came back”.
