Ollie Cooper targeting even more in a Swansea City shirt next term

Swansea City midfielder Ollie Cooper is excited about the new season after a productive first few weeks working under new head coach Michael Duff.

The 23-year-old had a breakthrough season at Championship level last term, hitting a number of personal milestones including making his first start for the club and scoring his first league goal. In total, he made 44 appearances for the Swans, scoring six goals.

Cooper is hopeful he can better his form during the upcoming campaign, and believes the new Swans boss can help him achieve that.

“It’s been really good first few weeks – it’s been very demanding, but the standard of training has been good,” he said.

“Everyone’s pushed themselves to the limit, which is what you want from a pre-season camp. From that aspect it’s been good.

“It’s been good to see everyone again. You always think you’re looking forward to the off-season but after a few days, you miss it! You miss the banter and being around everyone.

“It’s such a good group of lads that it makes it really enjoyable coming to work every day.

“I think the way the manager wants us to work and play suits me. We haven’t done much in terms of tactical analysis or anything yet, but he seems like a good guy.

“He’s someone that will be honest with you and that’s what you need, especially as a younger player coming up, I just want to be told the truth, so I’m excited to see how it goes and I’m excited to play for him.

“I want to continue playing. I want to get myself in the team and stay in it, and just contribute more goals and assists.”

Cooper’s performances last season earned him a trip to Qatar with the Wales World Cup squad as a travelling reserve, and he’s been named in the two subsequent national squads, making his senior debut against Latvia in March.

And he’s hoping improving his club form will lead to move minutes for his country, too.

“If I can finish this season with more goals and assists than I got last season, then I’ll be very happy,” he added.

“If I can do all that, then maybe it will lead to a start for Wales, but I’m just going to focus on the club first and hopefully the Wales caps will come with time.

“I went away to the World Cup on standby and then the next camp I was involved and made my debut, which was an amazing moment for me personally, but once you’ve had a taste you just want more.

“I want to continue being in and around the squad, I’d like to get more game time and hopefully work up to my first start.

“There’s a lot of Swansea players in the Wales squad. Going into a new environment can be difficult but when there are players there who you know it makes it a little bit easier.

"Especially for me, because the first time I went to Wales we had Gareth Bale and Joe Allen – who I’m fortunate enough to get the chance to play with for Swansea – but these are players I’ve watched for years.

“So to have boys around that help you make the step up and feel part of the set up is massive, and it’s really helped me.”