'We've set the standard'

Adnan Maric is hoping Swansea City Under-23s can maintain their impressive Premier League Cup record this season.

The young Swans have reached the final of the competition in each of the last two seasons, lifting the trophy in 2017 before losing to Aston Villa on penalties last spring.

Maric played a key role for the development side last season, scoring four goals as they narrowly missed out on a successful title defence.

And despite opening this year’s competition with a defeat at Oxford United, he believes the Swans can make a mark once more in 2018-19.

“This has been our cup,” Maric said. “We’ve set the standard over the past two years.

“The whole team were excellent throughout our run last year and I was pleased to get as many goals as I did.

“It is important for us to show everyone how good we are as a team again this year.

“We need to set the bar high in the group stage and keep pushing from there.”

The young Swans’ second match of the group stage is on November 10, when they welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to Landore.