Matt Grimes | Playing without fans will be very strange

Skipper Matt Grimes admits the absence of the Jack Army will be very strange when Swansea City resume their Championship campaign behind closed doors against Middlesbrough this weekend.

The EFL season restarts on Saturday with Steve Cooper’s side 11th in the table, but just three points off the top six with nine games remaining.

The Swans travel to the Riverside to face Middlesbrough, who they overcame 3-1 at the Liberty back in December.

They will have to make do without the help of the Jack Army, although season ticket holders will have access to a live stream of the action.

Grimes says the absence of the travelling support will be difficult to adjust to, but acknowledges that all teams will be in the same boat between now and the end of the campaign.

And the midfielder insists that he and his team-mates must adapt to the unprecedented scenario as soon as possible.

“It will be very strange,” he said.

“Fans are what make football games, so we’ll miss ours dearly not being with us. 

“But every team will be in the same position, so we just need to draw on that and know that no one team will have an advantage. 

“That is the reality of what we’re facing for the last nine games, so we need to adjust and get used to it as quickly as possible.

“The position we’re in, we will just be focusing on kicking on and giving absolutely everything we have. 

“Even though the fans won’t be there, we know they will be right behind us and cheering us on from home.”