Are the young Swans ready to fly high and stake a claim?
SWANSEA City Under-23s are enjoying an encouraging first season in the top-flight of the Premier League 2 development league as the turn of the year arrives.
Cameron Toshack and Gary Richards see their side currently sitting fifth table after 12 games, ahead of the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham.
With the senior side struggling at the wrong end of the Premier League table, it could be a year where some of the Swans talented youngsters are given the chance at senior level.
These are the players we could see donning the white and black of Swansea in 2018.
JOE RODON
From: Morriston, Swansea Age: 20 Position : Centre-back RODON joined the club in 2005 as an eight-year-old and is a former season ticket holder.
He is a ball-playing centre-back and has impressed since becoming captain of the Under-23s, whilst also skippering Wales Under-21s and being a stand-out performer at last summer’s Toulon Tournament.
He’s yet to make a first-team appearance, but was named on the bench in the FA Cup third-round defeat against Oxford in 2016 and again for this season’s Premier League defeat at Arsenal.
The Welshman is a classy and composed player on the ball, and was linked with a move to Manchester City last summer.
DANIEL JAMES
From: Hull Age: 20 Position: Winger AFTER several impressive displays for the Hull City academy side, he left Humberside to join Swansea in 2014 in a move that attracted headlines.
The 20-year-old was also included in the first team squad for the first time in January 2016 for the FA Cup defeat to Oxford United.
Although James didn’t make an appearance off the bench, the Welshman’s progress was deemed sufficient to be offered a new threeyear contract the following week and he has caught the eye in SA1.
With the Under 23’s squad last season, he scored nine goals as they went on to secure a league and cup double.
He has represented Wales at U17, U19, U20 and U21 level, and was called into the senior side by Chris Coleman in July where the winger was an unused sub in the World Cup qualifier against Serbia before a brief loan spell at Shrewsbury.
Having been included in firstteam matchday squads last term, he will be hoping to take the next step and make his senior debut sooner rather than later.