Alan Curtis | The efforts of this staff and squad have given us a wonderful opportunity

Swansea City great and honourary club president Alan Curtis believes Steve Cooper’s side head into the final nine games of the season in a strong position and with a "wonderful opportunity" at hand.

The Swans suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season just before the current international break, at the end of a gruelling schedule of 10 games in 31 days.

Those results leave them third in the table, six points behind second-placed Watford with a game in hand.

Championship action resumes at Birmingham City on Friday for the final sequence of games that will decide the final promotion picture.

But Curtis – who was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List – feels Swansea are well-placed despite the setbacks against Bournemouth and Cardiff.

“I still think we have got a wonderful opportunity and we are well-placed,” said the former forward, who experienced promotion to the top-flight during his playing and coaching careers with the Swans.

“Obviously, it’s disappointing to lose a couple of games, but it shows how strong we have been this season that – even after those results – we are third in the table and right in the hunt.

“I think if you were to look back at the pre-season predictions made by many, I don’t think anyone would have had us being where we are at this stage.

“That is just testament to the job Steve, the coaching staff and the players have done this year.

“I think the international break allows everyone just to take a breath, take stock, and refresh themselves for this final run of games.

“It’s still all to play for and, as I say, it’s a wonderful opportunity because you are at the business end of the season and there is so much to fight for.”