Connor targets more progress

Connor Roberts intends to keep on progressing after going from Swansea City mascot to Premier League player.

Neath-born Roberts, a lifelong Swans fan, made his first top-flight appearance for the club in yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Newcastle United.

His Premier League bow came hot on the heels of his senior Swans debut against Wolves last weekend.

And having made the first-team breakthrough at the Liberty Stadium, the 22-year-old is hungry for more opportunities to impress.

“I have grown up watching the Swans and I have worked my way through the academy – I have even been a mascot,” Roberts said.

“It was a great experience for make my Premier League debut at St James’ Park. I really enjoyed it and thrived off playing in front of the big crowd with that atmosphere.

“Playing against Wolves gave me confidence and I just wanted to enjoy it against Newcastle.

“Now I will keep working hard in training and hopefully I will get more opportunities.”

Roberts began on the bench at Newcastle as Carlos Carvalhal opted to play Mike van der Hoorn at right-back.

But the local lad was summoned just after the hour mark when van der Hoorn limped off with a muscle problem.

“I have been at the club a long time and playing in the Premier League is what I have been aiming at for all these years,” Roberts added.

“My debut didn’t come in ideal circumstances. We would have like to have got the win, we could have nicked it at the end, but overall it was a good point I think.”

Roberts has only recently returned to Swansea having spent the first half of the season on loan at Middlesbrough.

But the full-back believes Carvalhal has lifted the mood at the Liberty having taken over at the end of December.

“I think the manager is making the difference,” he said.

“He is very enthusiastic which rubs off on us. He expects us to give it our all and to attack teams.

“We have improved I think, but we still have a long way to go. We have to keep pushing and take every point that we can.”