Leon Britton's in luck as he prepares for top-flight debut

SWANSEA midfielder Leon Britton knows how fortunate he is to be preparing for his Premier League debut - because he could easily have been starting the current campaign in League One.

The 28-year-old West Ham academy graduate has been a fans favourite since starting his first spell with the Swans eight years ago, and has made more than 300 appearances for the club. He is set to feature in tonight's top-flight opener at Manchester City just over a year after he left the club to join Sheffield United, having become disgruntled under former manager Paulo Sousa.

Britton played under four managers in just five months at Bramall Lane as the Blades struggled, and quickly realised he had made a mistake in leaving south Wales. He returned to the Liberty Stadium in January and went on to help the club secure play-off glory, scoring in the second leg of the semi-final win against Nottingham Forest, while Sheffield United dropped out of the second tier.

"I am lucky there is no doubt," he said. "I could have been lining up at Oldham away on Saturday for Sheffield United in League One, instead I am kicking off my season a week later away at Manchester City, live on Sky in the Premier League."