Neil Taylor asks to play for Swansea City reserves in attempt to improve fitness

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 25 August 2016

Neil Taylor will feature for Swansea Under-23s on Friday, rather than challenging for a spot in the first team at Leicester City, as he aims to improve his fitness.

Swansea City defender Neil Taylor will play no part in this weekend's trip to face champions Leicester City after instead asking to play for the club's reserve team.

The left-back has been unable to oust Stephen Kingsley in the first-team fold since returning from his Euro 2016 exploits with Wales earlier this summer.

Taylor is concerned that he could also lose his place in the Dragons' starting lineup for the opening World Cup 2018 qualifier against Moldova early next month, and will therefore run out for the Under-23s on Friday in an attempt to improve his fitness levels.

"I like that attitude because he understands now he is not ready," Swansea boss Francesco Guidolin is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

"He asked me yesterday if he could play with the Under-23s on Friday because he is a little bit behind because he came from a long tournament in the Euros.

"He rested for three weeks and now Neil is a little bit behind. He plays with the Under-23s and will then be involved with the national team. He is not 100-per-cent fit - it is honest from him."

Taylor, a key member of the Wales side that made it to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, was handed his first appearance of the season for the Swans in Tuesday's win at Peterborough in the EFL Cup.