'We are upbeat - we are ready'

Paul Clement has saluted his players’ application and spirit as Swansea City prepare for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Burnley.

The Swans have slipped into the relegation zone after three successive top-flight defeats.

But Clement insists his players are in positive mood ahead of the weekend trip to Turf Moor.

“We are going to try to win at Burnley,” said the Swans manager.

“That’s something we have had some difficulty with recently, but I must say the application of the players and the spirit is very good.

“Clearly we are all very disappointed with our league position and the way we have played in some games.

“But fortunately we haven’t had too many players away during the international break and we have been able to do some really good work on the training ground.

“We have done some different things. We trained one day at the beach and we also went ten-pin bowling after training yesterday.

“But of course the main work has been done on the training field and the players have been very focused.

“I sense a good, upbeat environment – we are ready to go into this game.”

While the Swans have endured a difficult start to the season, Burnley have turned heads thanks to some impressive results.

Nevertheless, Clement is anticipating a close-fought contest between two sides who have been hard to break down so far in 2017-18.

“Both teams have pretty good defences,” he pointed out.

“I anticipate a tight game where the team who manages things best will emerge victorious.

“We know we have to find some more momentum going forward – seven goals in 11 games is not a good tally.

“Having said that, Burnley have only scored three more than us. The difference is that they have come out on the right side of some very tight games.

“I think they can be a good example for us, the way they have managed games.”