Dorus De Vries is ready to get the real stuff underway on Saturday as he prepares to face Den Haag tonight

De Vries is in a reasonably rare position at the moment.  Barring an injury everybody knows that he will line up against Charlton on Saturday as the only real choice for the goalkeeping position in the current squad.

Much criticised at times last season, the Dutchman is ready for the step up in level as he prepares to faces some of his countrymen who enjoyed their own promotion last season back to the top flight of Dutch football.

Den Haag were relegated the season before but bounced straight back next term and De Vries believes it will be difficult for them next season - he is clearly more optimistic of the Swans chances than he is of those of Den Haag.

And the keeper adds that the Swans are desperate to establish themselves as a Championship team although he accepts that it will be hard especially with the quality that is littered throughout the Championship.

Speaking in tonight's Evening Post, the Dutchman said "We're looking forward to getting the competitive stuff going now

"We have a tough start at Charlton on Saturday and, when you look at the fixture list, we have tough games pretty much every weekend.

"It's going to be harder than last season because we're playing against clubs with bigger finances, bigger grounds and bigger crowds.

"But it's a challenge we're looking forward to.

"We're all keen to see where we stand as a club in the first few games and we're all desperate to establish ourselves in the Championship."

And on his former club he added: "They had some financial troubles last year and did really well to win promotion

"They have a lot of young, talented guys in the squad and there are also a number of players with plenty of top-level experience.

"It's a respectable squad with a great spirit, and it's good to see them at the highest level because it's a nostalgic club.

"But it's a different way of playing in the top division and I think it will be a hard season for Den Haag."

Photo: Action Images

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