Roberto Martinez is a proud man thanks to the interest shown in his Swansea City squad

The Swans are preparing for Sunday's derby showdown with Cardiff City and Roberto believes that they have every reason to be proud of where they are at this moment in time.

With just six games left in the season, the Swans still have a chance of being in the mix for the end of season play-offs and Roberto told the Evening Post "There's a buzz around the squad because we know this weekend is going to be a big football occasion.

"We are going to have a lot of attention focused on us from outside Wales and that's a different experience.  A lot of people want to watch the derby and that's a credit to what is going on in Welsh football.

"I speak to a lot of people in fooball - other managers, people in television and people all around the United Kingdom.   They are all looking forward to seeing the game on Sunday and that's great for us.

"For people to be excited about the way we play is something everybody at Swansea City should be proud about."

The Swans return to action after a two week break because of the internationals and Roberto added "The boys needed it after a very demanding period and now they are refreshed and ready to go.  They cannot wait to get back into action in the derby and then we have five more games where we have a unique opportunity to finish the season on a high.

"I have been very very impressed with the fitness levels of the players since they came back and everyone is in the right frame of mind.  I expect us to get back to our standards which we haven't reached in the last three games one way or another. 

"Every team has suffered because of the number of games.  But the way we play means we are more affected than most.  Now the players are refreshed they can use the experience of the first six or seven months of the season in the final push."

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