DAVID Cornell admits he's often at the centre of banter between his mates.

It is not that the Swansea City youngster has made big enough gaffes to star on a goalkeepers' blunders DVD.

It's more because his circle of friends, just like the man himself, are still coming to terms with the teenager's rise.

"My mates come along to some games and they can't believe the stadiums we are playing at," says Cornell.

"But they laugh at the fact that I'm on computer games.

"They play Fifa 10 quite a lot, and they put me in goal ahead of Dorus (de Vries). But they send me a lot of text messages saying that I let in five or six and that I'm going to be dropped for the next game.

Reality

"I like to think I'm a little bit better in reality!"

Thankfully for Cornell, it's Paulo Sousa in charge at the Liberty Stadium rather than his pals.

Cornell has enjoyed his introduction to senior football, despite making just a single appearance since signing a first professional contract last summer.

But the 18-year-old's CV carries considerably more weight than a solitary appearance in Swansea's first team.

The Waunarlwydd product is highly thought of at the Liberty, so much so that he has just penned a new three-and-a-half-year contract.

But he's also well regarded in the national set-up too.

Involved

Cornell has been involved with Wales at under-17, under-19 and under-21 level, and also won a shock call-up to the senior squad for last November's friendly win over Scotland.

Though the youngster was not included in the matchday squad, it was an experience he believes will help set him up for the future.

But his immediate focus is at Swansea, where he continues his development as a back-up to Dutchman de Vries.

Sparingly named as one of Swansea's substitutes last season under Roberto Martinez, Cornell has enjoyed a bigger role as part of the matchday squad this season under Sousa.

Martinez rarely included a keeper on his bench last term, when teams could name only five substitutes.

But now the Championship club can pick from seven and Cornell is feeling the benefits .

"I was getting a little worried about what was going to happen at the end of the season," said Cornell, whose one-year deal was due to expire this summer.

"I didn't know if I'd done enough to impress the manager to get a new deal.

"But I've worked really hard in training and I've listened a lot to (goalkeeping coach) Adrian Tucker and Dorus. They have both really helped me develop.

"I was getting a little frustrated at the end of last season because I wasn't even on the bench for many games, but this season has been different.

Development

"Being in the squad is part of my development, and sitting on the bench in big stadiums does help, believe it or not.

"I got a start against Scunthorpe and that was an amazing experience. Obviously I want more, but I also realise that I need to do it the right way."

Cornell made some decent saves against Scunthorpe in the Carling Cup defeat back in August, and there were no signs of nerves.

The big job in front of him is finding a way of ousting de Vries as Sousa's first-choice stopper — something Cornell admits is too big an ask for now.

Further down the line, though, the former Swansea season-ticket holder believes he can provide stern competition.

"I want to push to be the number one for Swansea City," he adds.

"Maybe I'm not ready now, but from next season I really want to be pushing Dorus.

"Dorus is the best keeper in the division. The little things he does make a huge difference in the game.

"He is a big part of the team, not just because he makes class saves, but because he keeps the game flowing with his distribution. That is vital in this team.

"He gives me a lot of tips and he is particularly vocal on the field — but what he shouts about in games I have no idea. I think it's in Dutch and none of the boys know what he's talking about!"

chris.barney@swwmedia.co.uk