Every minute counts, says Potter

Graham Potter insists every minute counts for Swansea City as the count down towards the start of the new Championship season.

The Swans fly out to Germany this afternoon for an eight-day tour which Potter feels will be key to their preparations for the second-tier opener at Sheffield United on August 4.

Potter’s side play two 60-minute games tomorrow, against German second-tier side FC Magdeburg and Serie A club Genoa, before travelling on to Austria.

They will then play 90-minute friendlies against Eibar, of La Liga, and Bundesliga side FC Freiburg before returning home ahead of the Bramall Lane trip.

“It’s going to be an important week away for us,” Potter said.

“We have two 60-minute games and then two 90-minute games, so there is a lot of football to be played and that’s good.

“We are taking pretty much the full squad and everyone will get some time on the pitch and a chance to build their fitness.

“We haven’t got a lot of time to prepare for the new season so every minute is important for us.

“We will use the time we have to develop our ideas and understanding and also to develop the collective, if you like. Then there is the fitness as well of course.”

As well as the football, Potter feels the trip to the Continent will give his squad the chance to make progress off the field.

“You spend more time with each other and get to know each other a bit better,” he added.

“I am sure we will do some things away from the football pitch as well.

“We haven’t got that much time because of the games and recovery, but it will be nice for everyone to get together in a different environment and work in a different way.”