Russell Martin keen to make the most of international break

Russell Martin believes the international break has come at a good time for Swansea City, and is confident they can continue their record of returning to action with a positive result after increased time working on the training pitch.

In the three previous fixtures after international breaks this term, the Swans have taken five points from nine; with three of those coming from the south Wales derby victory over Cardiff City on home turf.

The same opposition await head coach Martin and his side a week on Saturday, with the Swans seeking to become the first team in the fixture’s 110-year fixture to complete a league double.

Given the challenging nature of a transitional campaign, allied to the late appointment of Martin and his coaching team – plus a month of the campaign heavily impacted by Covid-19 – and it is far to say it has been a far from straightforward season.

All of which means the Swans have benefited from opportunities for prolonged work on the training ground, and Martin hopes that will once again be the case.

“It’s one of the things I have said to the players since the Birmingham game. Whenever we have had any time together to work, that has always been reflected in the performance after that,” said the Swans boss.

“We have to make sure that is repeated, and we do the same again this time.

“We obviously have a few guys who are away with their international teams, which is great for them, but the rest remain here and it’s about finding that balance between recovery after a busy period and getting to work.

“It’s definitely a time to get that work in, we have tried to maximise every opportunity we have had this season.

“We look to make the most of any time we have, and it is the same again now.”