Swansea City manager Steve Cooper relishes a tough meeting with Preston North End

Swansea boss Steve Cooper views his side’s clash with Preston at Deepdale as a tough way to kick off the season.
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The South Wales outfit make the trip to Lancashire just six-and-a-half weeks after losing to Brentford in the play-off semi-finals.

It has been a swift turnaround for all the Championship sides, not least those who made the play-offs.

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Giving his thoughts on starting against North End, Cooper said: “It’s going to be a tough game – it was last year.

Andre Ayew scored 16 goals for Swansea last season and will lead their attack against PNE on SaturdayAndre Ayew scored 16 goals for Swansea last season and will lead their attack against PNE on Saturday
Andre Ayew scored 16 goals for Swansea last season and will lead their attack against PNE on Saturday

Preston are a really good outfit. They play in a very aggressive style that can be hard to play against.

“They’re more or less the same squad as last year, which was a strong one.

“Preston have got a chance to continue with their good work.

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“It’s a tough game to get the campaign up and running. But we look forward to it and we’ll be ready for it.”

Cooper’s squad will have a different look from last season, with key departures and a couple of new arrivals in the short close season.

Rhian Brewster, who scored 11 goals while on loan from Liverpool in the second half of last season, is back with the Premier League champions for the time being.

There is talk of top-flight clubs being interested in signing the young striker for a fee in the region of £25m.

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However, Liverpool might be open to Brewster going out on loan again which could be good news for Swansea.

Connor Gallagher, who they had on loan from Chelsea last season, has also gone back to his parent club.

Swansea have managed to renew a couple of loans, though, Newcastle agreeing to goalkeeper Freddie Woodman spending another season with them.

Likewise centre-half Marc Guehi who Chelsea have loaned out again. Another loan deal they have struck is that of Morgan Gibbs-White from Wolves,

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Two incoming permanent deals done by Swansea have seen the capture of Korey Smith and Jamal Lowe.

Midfielder Smith joined on a Bosman after coming to end of his contract at Bristol City, while Lowe was signed for £800,000 from Wigan.

North End were reported to have been interested in a deal for Lowe.

On the outgoing front, the Swans sold midfielder Bersant Celina to French club Dijon for £3m this week. They have kept hold of Andre Ayew who was their top scorer last season with 16 goals.

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After forcing their way into the play-offs with a final-game win over Reading – edging Nottingham Forest out of sixth place – there will be a degree of expectation on Swansea this campaign to push on.

Cooper said: “We’re not looking as far as that.

“We’ve got to be careful not to compare everything to last season. Lots of players have left.

“We’re completely focused on Preston. We’ll take it step by step and in the end you 
end up where you deserve to be.

“It will while until anybody is looking at league positions.”