Excitement for Steve Cooper as Swansea City return to training

Steve Cooper cannot wait to get back down to work in earnest with his Swansea City squad as they return to training ahead of the 2020-21 season today.

The Swans saw their 2019-20 campaign ended by defeat at Brentford just over three weeks ago, but the knock-on impact of last season’s suspension of football owing to the Coronavirus pandemic, means it is just three weeks until the Championship kicks off again.

The Swans first team reported to Fairwood for Covid-19 and physical testing earlier this week, and they will formally return to training on Friday as preparations for the new season ramp up.

New signings Korey Smith and Freddie Woodman will be among those reporting for duty, and Cooper is more than happy for there to be a quick turnaround.

“We can’t wait to get started and get back down to work with the players again,” said the Swans head coach.

“Obviously it is a shorter break than we are used to, but I think the players come back refreshed and eager to try and build on the good things we did last season.

“It was a hectic schedule with 11 games in around 40 days, so I think it’s fair to say a little chance to draw breath will not have done anyone any harm, be it players of staff.

“But we are clear that we want to kick on from last season. I know the perception was that we did well reaching the play-offs, but that’s not the limit of our ambitions.

“We want to do better if we can, carrying with the things we did well and looking to improve things we feel we can do better at.

“There’s a lot of hard work that goes into that on the training ground and everyone is excited to be getting ready for the new season.”