Swift is a big hit – thanks to Frank

JOHN SWIFT will try to shoot Reading to promotion today inspired by advice from Frank Lampard.

The Royals midfielder looked up to former England star Lampard when he started out at Chelsea.

And he made the most of rubbing shoulders with one of the Premier League’s greatest goal-scoring midfielders by tapping him up for advice.

Those tips clearly helped with nine goals this season giving Swift (above, right) a one-in-four strike rate.

His goals helped Reading clinch third place in the Championship and they are now one win away from a Premier League place after reaching today’s play-off final against Huddersfield.

Swift, 21, said: “The mentor I had at Chelsea who sticks out was Frank Lampard (left). “I play in the same position and wanted to see what he was like at my age and what he did and didn’t do.

“It was only a 20-minute chat, but he was the one I wanted to be like. He was a top player who scored a lot of goals from midfield.

“He said as a midfielder who can score goals you are different. To add goals to your game is a massive thing and after that chat I started to do so. Thankfully I did.”

Swift left Chelsea last summer after two seasons as part of their army of loanees.

He had spells at Rotherham, Swindon and Brentford last season, but chose to break away permanently to join Reading.

He has no regrets and could find himself up against the champions next season if all goes to plan today.

“It was a big call and a sensible one,” he said. “It’s paid off and I’m glad to have finally got settled at a club.”