Preview | Swansea City U23s v Reading U23s

Jon Grey has urged Swansea City Under-23s to learn the lessons from Monday’s defeat by Newcastle ahead of their crucial Premier League Cup clash with Reading (1pm).

Fans are advised that this match will not be broadcast on swanseacity.com.

The young Swans welcome the Royals to Landore this afternoon for their penultimate game in Group D.

Grey’s side are aiming to bounce back from Monday’s disappointing 4-0 defeat by Newcastle United, in which a team consisting of four first-year pros, two scholars and two trialists were handed a huge reality check.

The Swans have enjoyed an impressive record in the Premier League Cup in recent years; reaching at least the semi-finals in each of the last three seasons – lifting the trophy with victory over Reading in the 2017 final.

However, that run is in jeopardy this year with just three points from their opening four games leaving them bottom of the group.

Defeat to the Royals this afternoon would see them eliminated from the competition, but a victory would keep their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages very much alive ahead of their final group game against Colchester United on February 24.

“We want to try and get back to winning ways and respond to what was a difficult result in our last game,” Grey said.

“The new lads coming in had a bit of a wake-up call against Newcastle on Monday in terms of what’s required of them on a matchday in the under-23s environment.

“They now know what is expected and we’re looking for them to implement that on the pitch.

“Hopefully, they’ve learned their lessons and can go on and perform well and get the win that we need to take us into the last game still having hope of qualifying.

“The club has a good history in this competition and that’s something we want to try and keep going.

“In the last two group games, we must aim to win both and see where it takes us.”