BEST OF BRITTON CAN LIFT SWANS

NEW Swansea assistant coach Leon Britton believes he can help the struggling club climb the Premier League table.

Britton (above) has been thrown in at the deep end, with Paul Clement’s men in 19th spot, and beginning to accept the likelihood of a relegation dogfight.

“You learn a lot from the tough times. You learn about your team-mates and the squad as a whole,” said the veteran midfielder.

“When things are going well, it is easy, but when the going gets tough, and results are not going well, that’s where you find out about your character.

“It is a good test for myself. I would rather we were in the top half of the table, but the opportunity I have been offered is the right one for me at this moment in time.

“I hope I can have a positive input into the team and get us up the table. There is not much in it.

“There have been narrow defeats, but we would like to see better performances, that is for sure. We are not a million miles away, we are not getting beaten heavily.”

Britton remains available for selection as a Swansea player, but has revealed he will seek the advice of his former managers, Brendan Rodgers and Roberto Martinez, as he begins his coaching career.

“Brendan has texted me and I’ve had various different coaches and team-mates text me too,” said Britton. “I know, if I needed advice, I could pick up the phone and give them a call.

“They said any time you need any advice, or you need to speak about anything, in terms of the coaching role, pick up the phone and I’m on the other end.”

Swansea co-owner Steve Kaplan will watch the game at Turf Moor and hold talks with Clement afterwards.

Wilfried Bony, Renato Sanches and Martin Olsson are all back from injury and Clement has a near fully-fit squad to choose from.

Defender Kyle Bartley is the only player missing as he continues to recover from knee surgery.