COOPER: SWAN LAST PUSH OR IT’S PLAY-OFFS

STEVE COOPER has vowed Swansea won’t bottle it today and will stay in the hunt for automatic promotion.

The Swans have sunk in the last three games, losing all of them without scoring a goal.

It has left City nine points behind second-placed Watford with a game in hand, and they must beat Preston to have a hope of catching the Hornets.

Swansea’s slump means they are more likely to be in the playoffs for the second successive season, and manager Cooper (above) said: “It shouldn’t be too difficult to lift the players because we are still in a positive league position, albeit the current situation doesn’t feel too good.

“But that’s the test of character we need to show. We need to show we are strong mentally and physically, and that we are a good team.

“Losing at Birmingham was the worst performance of the three recent losses.

“For the Preston game, we’ve got to sort ourselves out, take care of our own business, and not look for excuses. Setbacks are OK as long as you bounce back.”

Brad Potts hopes the increased togetherness of Preston’s players will reap its rewards.

The Lillywhites aren’t entirely out of the relegation picture yet and are in need of points to confirm their survival.

But midfielder Potts (above) is confident a closer mood in the camp will help them turn things around, starting away at Swansea.

He said: “The gaffer leaving (Alex Neil) has probably brought the group closer together because we know what is needed from now until the end of the season.

“We have seven games left and we need to just keep picking up points.

“If we can’t win, then we need to take a point away, and that has to be the focus.”