Cooper: Let's be ruthless

Oli Cooper wants Swansea City Under-23s to show a ruthless streak when they face Everton at the Liberty tonight (7pm).

The young Swans will be aiming to move off the foot of the Premier League 2 table when they welcome the league leaders.

The development side performed strongly in their 2-0 defeat Liverpool in the Premier League International Cup clash last time out, but they were made to pay for lacking the clinical edge in the final third, whilst suffering momentary lapses of concentration at the other end.

And Cooper knows the under-23s must improve at both ends if they are to achieve a positive result under the Liberty lights.

“It will be a tough test, we know that Everton are a good team and that is obvious by where they are in the table," said the attacking midfielder.

“Even though we didn’t get the result we wanted, we’re coming off the back of a good performance against Liverpool.

“Hopefully, we can take that with us but be more ruthless at both ends of the field and get a good result.”

The 19-year-old, who has played 18 times this season, will be aiming to make his first appearance at the Liberty for the development side.

He watched from the bench as they narrowly lost 2-1 to Bristol Rovers in the second round of the Checkatrade Trophy in December.

And Cooper admits the experience made him hungrier for the opportunity to get out on the pitch at the home of the Swans.

“The Checkatrade game was a big one against physically strong opposition,” he added. “I understand that I’ve still got a lot to developing to do to be ready for that.

“Just been on the bench was a great achievement. If you’d ask me last year whether that would be the case then I probably wouldn’t have thought so.

“But I’ve proven myself this year and, now, I just want to get out there."

Supporters can watch the under-23s' next three home games for free at the Liberty and raise money for a cancer charity in support of Jack Evans.

Young midfielder Evans was diagnosed with cancer last summer and received treatment at the Teenage Cancer Trust’s unit in the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

The 20-year-old has helped raise money for the Trust, while the Swans’ first-team and U23s squads have also contributed along with his family and friends.

Supporters can now add to the contribution towards the charity during the U23s’ next three Premier League 2 fixtures at the Liberty.

Rather than charge an admission fee, the club is encouraging fans to make a donation to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Supporters can collect their ticket at the stadium ticket office on matchdays, with donations available via card or cash