‘ALL TO PLAY FOR’ IN TOP-SIX BATTLE

STEVE Cooper says Swansea City have everything to play for as they aim to strengthen their play-off hopes with victory over Leeds United today. The Swans have dragged themselves right back into the mix for a top-six place in the Championship by claiming seven of the last nine points on offer.

Their 3-1 triumph over Birmingham City at St Andrew’s Trillions Trophy Stadium saw them secure backto-back wins for the first time since December.

With South Wales rivals Cardiff City suffering consecutive defeats against Blackburn Rovers and Fulham, the race for a play-off spot has been blown wide open, especially as Derby and Preston failed to capitalise yesterday.

And Cooper says Swansea’s players and coaching staff will go into each of their final four league outings of the regular season with a positive mindset.

“It’s what we all want to be involved in, a play-off push or promotion push is what everyone wants to see,” he said.

“To be involved in it is great and we’ve got everything to look forward to. That’s definitely going to be our mentality.”

Leeds United edged ever closer to securing a return to the Premier League by thrashing Stoke City 5-0 at Elland Road last time out.

Such has been their form, Marcelo Bielsa’s men could clinch promotion with games to spare, depending on results elsewhere in the division.

And Cooper is under no illusions as to the scale of the task that lies ahead of his troops at the Liberty Stadium this afternoon (1.30pm).

“They’re top of the league for a reason. They have a clear way of playing and have some good players,” he added.

“But you’ve got to look forward to this and you’ve got to thrive on it. In the end, if you want to achieve, these are the games that you’ve got to play well in and win. That’s how we’re looking at it.”

Derby’s defeat against Brentford and Preston’s draw with Nottingham Forest saw Cardiff remain in sixth place last night.

And Bluebirds’ manager Neil Harris said his side can’t afford to lose any of their remaining games – against Derby, Middlesbrough and Hull – if they are to stay there.

“I don’t think we need three wins (to make the top six),” Harris said. “We certainly need to win two games.

“We need an unbeaten finish, if I’m honest. I’m looking at seven points as a total.

“I was delighted with 10 points from four games, I was delighted with 10 points from five games, but even after lockdown we knew we had a tough run of fixtures and to win three of those games was a tough ask for the lads, but we did it early.

“We have just fallen short the last couple and now we have to get back to being on the right side of the final margins.”

■ Swans v Leeds preview; full results and table: Sport pullout