We’re still right in the top-six mix – Cooper

SWANSEA City look poised to fight it out with Cardiff in a South Wales battle for the final Championship play-off spot.

The two Welsh clubs both won at the weekend to boost their play-off ambitions.

Cardiff are currently in pole position – they lie sixth after victory at Bristol City – with Swansea four points back in eighth. Derby separate the two following their weekend draw with Nottingham Forest.

And Swansea head coach Steve Cooper is fully expecting the play-off race to change dramatically over the final weeks of the campaign.

Swansea defeated Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at the Liberty Stadium, with goals from Rhian Brewster and Andre Ayew doing the damage.

The Swans hope to further close the gap by securing back-to-back wins for the first time since midDecember when they take on Birmingham City at St Andrew’s on Wednesday night.

And Cooper is confident his troops can remain in the mix following their efforts against Garry Monk’s side.

“Hard fought in the end, I didn’t love us first half, we’re better than that,” he said. “Particularly on the ball, and I know we had to change formation, but it was very much at half-time about realising we needed to improve.

“In the second half, we looked a lot more dangerous. The second goal, I know it’s a penalty, but the move for it is fantastic. That’s exactly how we want to play.

“We did get a bit nervy late on, they threw caution to the wind and put on six or seven strikers and that’s the time we need to be men, manage the game, trust ourselves and try not to concede.

“Our heart and soul and commitment was fantastic and once again to turn an average performance round into a win is pleasing. There’s not long to go but a lot will happen (in the play-off race), but we need to focus on Birmingham.

“We’ve got to back up a win with another win, that’s so important at this stage, so we’ve got to be double committed for that.”

Ayew took his goal tally to 16 for the season with his successful spotkick while Brewster now has seven strikes in 15 appearances for the Swans.

There was concern late on as Brewster was forced off while clutching his shoulder.

But Cooper has allayed fears that Brewster suffered any kind of serious damage.

“He had a bad shoulder anyway which he did at the start of the Millwall game,” he said.

“He hasn’t dislocated it, I’m sure he’ll be fine and he’ll want to play against Birmingham.”

■ Big-match analysis: SportWales