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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ian Mitchelmore

Steve Cooper's play-off message to Swansea City players ahead of crunch Leeds United test

Steve Cooper has urged his Swansea City players to have no regrets as they continue their pursuit for a top six spot in the Championship against Leeds United this weekend.

The Swans closed the gap to the play-off places to just one point on Wednesday night by beating Birmingham City 3-1 at St Andrew's Trillion Trophy Stadium.

The first of their final four games see the Swans take on league leaders Leeds at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

And head coach Cooper says his side have nothing to fear as they look to keep their chances of playing Premier League football next term alive by securing a top six place in the coming weeks.

"Let’s go for things, not just now where we are but since we’ve come back. Let's have no regrets. There’s everything to be excited about and nothing to be fearful of," he said.

"We've all watched Championship games and have seen some of those at the bottom end of the league, and that's when it's really tough and you can really be playing with fear.

"For us it should be about thriving, taking opportunities and being excited with what's in front of us, and that's definitely the mentality that we've got."

Having secured back-to-back wins for the first time since December ahead of the clash with Marcelo Bielsa's side, Swansea are now four points better off now than they were at the same stage last season.

However, Cooper admits his sole focus is on Swansea's promotion bid and improving the club as a whole for the long term.

"The season’s not finished and I'm not really interested in anyone getting credit, apart from the football club," he added.

"That’s the most important thing, the status of the football club and what it’s trying to do, both on and off the pitch. "It's not something I've thought about, and it's certainly not a motivation of mine.

"I just want to work as hard as I can first and foremost, I want to work in the way I believe, with players and staff, and we'll see where it takes us in the long term."

Swansea have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the clash with Leeds.

Ben Cabango (hernia) and Mike van der Hoorn (knee) will continue to be carefully managed during the run-in.

Jordon Garrick is available again after serving a three-game ban following the red card he was issued in the 1-0 loss to Luton Town last month.

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