'Survival experience will be key'

Ki Sung-Yueng believes the Swans’ survival experience will prove crucial as the Premier League’s battle to beat the drop heats up.

The Swans head to champions Manchester City on Sunday with Carlos Carvalhal’s side looking to extend the gap between themselves and relegation rivals Stoke City and Southampton.

Saints’ draw at Leicester City on Thursday night means they sit four points adrift of the Swans while Stoke – who host Burnley on Sunday afternoon – trail by five points. Both teams have, however, played a game more than Carvalhal’s side.

And Ki feels the squad’s experience of dealing with the pressure of a relegation dogfight during last season’s campaign could prove a key factor in the race against the drop.

A remarkable run saw the Swans pick up 13 points from a possible 15 in their last five matches – a sequence which saw them leapfrog Hull City, who dropped to the Championship.

And South Korea captain Ki is certain that experience can aid the Swans’ bid to retain their top-flight status once again.

“We are in a better position than we were in at this stage last year, but we know more than most how quickly things can change in the final few games,” said the 29-year-old.

“Not many people expected us to win four of our last five games – and draw at Manchester United – last season and be safe going into our last game.

“It was a fantastic run of results, so we know things can change around us in the league very quickly.

“The good thing is that it is in our hands, and we know if we get the results we want then we will be safe.

“We believe we can stay up but we know what it will take - a lot of hard work, very good performances and positive results.”