Michael Obafemi made his first appearance for Swansea since the final day of August as his side defeated Hull 3-0 on Saturday.
The Ireland striker was omitted by Swansea manager Russell Martin for the victory against QPR, and the defeat to Sheffield United. Martin felt Obafemi was not in the right frame of mind after a deadline day move to Burnley failed to materialise.
The 22-year-old - who has been included in Stephen Kenny's Ireland squad for the Nations League games against Scotland and Armenia - played two minutes as a substitute against Hull, and was booed by a section of Swansea supporters when he entered the action.
"[The crowd reaction] was mixed, some were really warm, a couple of people booing. People make what they want of the situation," said Martin.
"They just want people to come on and work as hard as possible. He did that when he came on and he's done that this week in training. That's all we want from him.
"Hopefully he'll go away with Ireland and do well with them and he'll come back as the Michael we know and love.
"He'll be a big part for us, for sure. He's got some real competition at the minute with Joel Piroe doing what he does. The competition is great for us."
Obafemi's fellow Ireland international Ryan Manning opened the scoring for Swansea after an hour on Saturday. He celebrated by tucking the ball underneath his jersey. The Galway man discovered earlier this week that he and his partner Charli are expecting a baby.
11 June 2022; Michael Obafemi of Republic of Ireland watches the run of Troy Parrott in the build up to their second goal during the UEFA Nations League B group 1 match between Republic of Ireland and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
"Everyone was saying to me – the players who’ve had kids - that it could be a really long time before you get a chance to do the celebration," Manning, who has not been included in the Ireland squad, told the Swansea club website.
"I think Grimesy squeezed his celebration in at the play-off semi-final.
"I’m pleased to get that out of the way to be honest! I didn’t want to have the pressure of having to get the goal in time.
"Charli is due at the end of March, so I had a while to get it, but I’m happy to get it out of the way."
Swansea finally take the lead!
Ryan Manning sneaks in at the back post to put the ball in the net ⚽ pic.twitter.com/bCuRteU58l— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 17, 2022
See Also: Swansea Manager 'Disappointed' With Stephen Kenny Comments On Michael Obafemi
