Connor Roberts has more Swansea City goals in sight

Match winner Connor Roberts is targeting a career-high goalscoring tally after setting the standard with his performances.

Local lad Roberts put in a man-of-the-match performance on Wednesday night as Swansea City came from behind to beat Stoke City – a result that ended a 20-year wait for a victory at the home of the Potters.

The Wales international volleyed home Ryan Manning’s pinpoint cross to level, and he went close to edging the Swans ahead on two occasions after the break.

The contest was settled by Andre Ayew’s last-gasp penalty following a foul on Kyle Naughton, with the Swans heading home with a victory that moves them to within a point of second-placed Brentford, with two games in hand.

And for Roberts, who took his tally to four for the season, he has an eye on beating his 2018-19 return of five for the Swans.

“I think there’s a lot of expectation on me as a wing-back to get into the box and chip in with a few goals,” said Roberts.

“Four is tidy but hopefully there are more to come. The only way that’s going to happen is by continuing to get in the box and getting shots off and getting onto the end of crosses.

Hopefully, I can carry that on until the end of the season and get a couple more.”

The 25-year-old had plenty of praise for fellow wing-back Manning, who made his fourth start of the season.

The Republic of Ireland international, who has had to be patient for opportunities due to the form of Jake Bidwell, laid on Roberts’ equaliser and also went close to putting the Swans in front on a few occasions at the bet365 Stadium.

And his effort didn’t go unnoticed by Roberts.

He said: “Ryan’s been patient. He hasn’t played all that much this season and when he has, he’s done more than well enough to warrant a place.

“On Wednesday, he got his chance and he did well again. I was probably unlucky not to get him a couple more assists as well.

“The more people in the squad that are playing good and pushing to play, the better for us really.”

The Swans are back on home soil on Saturday as Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough visit the Liberty.

And Roberts, who played four games for Boro during a loan spell in 2017-18, is hoping to see the Swans seal consecutive wins.

“Hopefully we can kick on from this now,” he added.

“The games are coming thick and fast and getting more important each week.

“Hopefully we can put in another decent performance against Middlesbrough and get another important win.”