Steve Cooper | There's everything to play for

Steve Cooper believes Swansea City resume Championship action on Saturday with everything still to play for in the promotion chase.

Following a three-month suspension of football due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the Swans will return to action when they face Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium (12.30pm).

It will be their first match since the goalless draw against West Brom on March 7, which moved Cooper’s side within three points of the play-off places.

With all sides having faced a long break, followed by a relatively short period of training and the prospect of a hectic fixture schedule, it represents a real step into the unknown for all clubs.

It makes for what could prove an intriguing and unpredictable run-in, and the Swans head coach feels it makes for an enticing few weeks of football to come.

“There’s everything to play for. If any of the players are not motivated by what can be achieved over these nine games, then it isn’t going to be for me,” said Cooper.

“We’re three points off the top six, that gap can quickly be closed and it can get bigger, we know that.

“If the first few games go well, and you get a good start, it can change, we’re going to give it a go.

“It is a step into the unknown, but our approach is just to focus on ourselves and everything we’re doing in preparation is about us being at our best.

“We respect the opponents and try to have an understanding of how they play but our focus is always on us.

“We’ll always aim to play a certain way even though it’s easier said than done.

“There’s no form, no one has played in the last few months. Squads will look different. There’ll be players available now who were not available before the stoppage in the season.”