Swansea City midfielder Mark Gower believes that he will face a battle to clinch a regular spot in the team's starting XI under new manager Michael Laudrup this season.

The 33-year-old, who signed a one-year extension in November, racked up 20 Premier League appearances under former boss Brendan Rodgers in the previous campaign.

"It's going to be difficult for me," Gower told thisissouthwales.co.uk. "We've got a lot of midfielders - we have a lot who played very well last year and we have added one or two in that area.

"All I can do is keep my head down and keeping working hard, if my chance comes then I have to be ready. I'd like to stay, but I'm coming towards the end of my career and I don't want to be warming anyone's bench.

"I want to be playing while I still can so we will have to wait and see. I'm still working hard in training and I feel fit enough."

Gower has been with the Welsh outfit since 2008.