SYDNEY Swans midfielder Craig Bird says the prospect of selection for the NAB Cup clash against Carlton has lifted the new-look Bloods' training intensity.

For the first time in seven years, Swans coach Paul Roos will be able to field something close to his strongest team in the opening round of pre-season competition on February 20 at Blacktown Olympic Park.

And with plenty of spots up for grabs in the senior team, Bird said the club's youngsters were desperate to stake an early claim.

"Roosy said that it's going to be wide open for the first game and he's going to select whoever's in the best form," he said.

"If you're training well, you're going to play so everyone's pretty hungry to get a spot in that first side.

"We are going to play a strong side and once you're in the side, you've got to try and cement your place.

"Blokes who get the first crack are really going to have to play well and keep training hard up until round one."

Bird, 21, is one of those young players keen for a strong start to 2010.

The nuggetty midfielder played 21 games in 2008 - his first year on the senior list - and was tipped to continue improving in 2009.

But a combination of inconsistent form and nagging injury restricted him to just 15 matches as the Swans missed the finals for the first time since 2002.

With 36 games in his two seasons on the senior list, Bird is among a group of relatively experienced young Swans from which big things are expected.

"I had some okay games early in the season and then I just struggled a bit with injury and a bit of form," Bird recalled.

"I think it was a bit of the same for the rest of the team. We were just up and down throughout the year and it was reflected in my game as well."

A shoulder injury suffered against St Kilda in round 18 brought Bird's campaign to a premature end and he used that time to prepare himself for what would be an arduous pre-season.

His efforts have earned the praise of the Swans' elite performance manager, Rob Spurrs, and Bird hoped his improved fitness would translate into greater things on the field.

"We’ve definitely done a bit more running and the intensity and just the volume of the training has been a lot more this year.

"I've definitely seen the benefits in my training already from the amount of work we've done, so it's been good."

With an influx of new faces to the club, including six first-year players yet to play a senior game, Bird said he looked forward to having a more important role in the side.

"It's a bit different to previous years because I'm one of the more experienced guys now, having played seniors in the past couple of years," he said.

"It's been a little bit of a change from previous years and I guess there's a little bit more expectation on the guys around my age to really step up now and lead the team.

"We're not sure how we're going to go but it's definitely exciting with the new players coming in.

"It's a chance for myself and the other young boys to step and up and cement a spot in the starting side."