Preview | Stoke City U21s v Swansea City U21s

Swansea City Under-21s are back in Premier League Cup action needing to avoid defeat in their penultimate Group G fixture against Stoke City at St George's Park on Friday. (7pm kick-off).

The young Swans will look to avenge their 4-0 defeat against the Potters last time out in the cup just a week ago, knowing a defeat to the Potters will end their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.

The age-grade side fielded a youthful squad which featured many under-18 first years and scholars, with a number of players away with the first-team group for their training camp in Scotland.

Stoke City currently sit second in Group G on five points after drawing two and winning one of their four games.

And the Swans can leapfrog the Potters into the qualification spots if they come out on top at England's St George's Park base on Friday evening.

Pre-match views 

Swansea City Under-21s head coach Jon Grey: "We'll go into the game with the same principles and mindset that we've had in previous cup games.

"We'll have some of the lads back from Scotland and we'll also still have some of the under-18s involved, so it'll be a mixed team. 

"It'll be different personnel for Stoke maybe as well. Again, we'll implement our own style on the game and we'll work on what picked up on last Friday."

Previous meeting - January 6, 2020

Stoke City U23s 0 Swansea City U23s 1

Liam Cullen was the hero as Swansea City Under-23s began 2020 with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Stoke City in the last meeting between the sides in Premier League 2 Division 2.

The Wales Under-21 international scored what proved to be the winner with a 19th-minute penalty at Harrison Park, after the returning Ollie Cooper had been brought down by William Forrester in the box.

For Cullen, it was his eighth goal of the season in all competitions and first since netting twice in a 4-2 defeat by West Ham the previous November.

It proved to be enough as Swansea made it seven points from three league games – following a 2-1 victory over Norwich and a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa before Christmas.

Swans U23s: Josh Gould; Tivonge Rushesha (Ryan Bevan 74), Cameron Evans, Jake Thomas, Matthew Blake; Jack Evans (captain), Kees de Boer; Ollie Cooper (Mason Jones-Thomas 45), Simon Paulet (Morgan Clarke 85), Keiran Evans; Liam Cullen. 

Subs not used: Tyler Evans, Arnor Gudjohnsen.