We can continue to grow, says Routledge

Wayne Routledge believes Swansea City will head into their seventh consecutive Premier League campaign looking to build on their top-flight foundations.

The Swans will kick off another season in English football’s top division on Saturday with a visit to Southampton.

Routledge has been an ever-present figure since the club earned promotion to the Premier League, with the winger having joined from Newcastle United six years ago.

Since then, the club has built two training complexes for the academy and first team, while on the pitch there have been records broken and a European adventure courtesy of winning the League Cup.

And Routledge feels the club must strive to keep raising the bar as the Swans enter another year in the Premier League.

“It’s grown a lot here,” said Routledge. “When I first came here the Premier League was new to everyone around the club and the city. Everyone had a lot to prove.

“This is our seventh season now, and it’s like we are part of the Premier League furniture.

“Swansea is now established in the Premier League.

“The major word for our time in the Premier League is growth.

“From what we had seven years ago from the training ground to the staff, the players, the management – it’s all grown.

“We must look to continue growing.”

The 32-year-old hopes to make his 184th top-flight appearances for the Swans on Saturday against the Saints at St Mary’s.

Paul Clement’s side go into the game with a hugely positive pre-season campaign behind them, and Routledge hopes that could play a part in helping the visitors get the result they are looking for.

“It’s going to be a very tough opening game,” added Routledge.

“St Mary’s is a tough place to go, but we’ve had a good pre-season and we head into the game with high hopes because of that.”