Swansea boss makes George Byers admission after Portsmouth loan move

The midfielder arrived on loan from Swansea City on Saturday for the remainder of the season.

Byers, 24, was a regular last term as the Swans suffered Championship play-off semi-final defeat.

However, an ongoing groin injury has confined the former Scotland youth international to just a solitary outing this campaign.

Byers remains well regarded in south Wales and is very much in head coach Cooper's future plans.

He joins Pompey in a bid for regular games – although that isn’t a foregone conclusion.

Andy Cannon and Tom Naylor have been key during the Blues’ latest League One promotion push and Byers must dislodge one of the pair.

Cooper told BBC Radio Wales:’ I think George needs games.

‘He's had a long time out with injury and he's finding it difficult to get minutes with us.

‘He's one of our players and it's important we don't lose a player for the future. I think, although it's always good to have George around, in the end, he needs to play games and we need him to play games.

‘Hopefully he'll get that at Portsmouth. It won't be easy, they're doing well in the league and we know Kenny Jackett, an experienced manager, will be demanding of George.

‘Hopefully the loan works for him and he comes back in the summer having had a good number of games under his belt.’

Byers will also challenge Ben Close and Harvey White for a starting spot at Fratton Park.

White arrived on loan from Tottenham last week and has made two substitute appearances so far.

Close, meanwhile, has been down the pecking order but came off the bench at half-time in Saturday’s 4-0 loss to Hull City.

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