For Liam Cullen and Swansea City, the dream is just about alive.

The 21-year-old made his fifth Championship appearance of the season from the bench yesterday as the Swans beat Bristol City 1-0 to ensure that mathematically at least, they will remain in play off contention ahead of the final day of the season (Wednesday).

However, to claim sixth place Steve Cooper’s men will need nothing less than three points at Reading, and then hope that crisis stricken Hull City can win at Cardiff.

For Cullen though, who this season signed a new contract to keep him at the club until the summer of 2022, there are now encouraging signs he is set to play a bigger role in the first team squad. Yesterday he replaced the on loan Rhian Brewster 71 minutes in, the most he has featured in the league this season with his previous four appearances all coming in the dying moments of games.

By that point, Swansea led 1-0 thanks to a Connor Roberts goal in first half injury time, and then been given a let off in the second half after Bristol substitute Famara Diedhiou fired a penalty against the post.

But Cullen was lively during his cameo. He broke free in the area before firing left footed across the goal, his cross-shot narrowly evading the incoming Andre Ayew. Moments later came a goalmouth scramble where he almost diverted a Matt Grimes shot into the net.

He will now almost certainly be involved at Reading on Wednesday, but regardless the Wales Under 21 international will now be targeting more game time next season.

In this campaign, he’s racked up 17 goals in 21 appearances at under 23 level - 10 of which he netted in just four matches across three separate competitions in January.

Despite this, the Tenby born youngster has had to stay patient in his quest for first team opportunities, but with big doubts as to whether Brewster and Ayew will be at the club come September, a bigger role next season seems inevitable.

But before that, his and the squad's focus will be on Wednesday, and a must win game at the Madejski Stadium to give them any chance of a play off spot.