Swansea boss Russell Martin says Ireland international Michael Obafemi "will be back in the squad as soon as he’s ready to be back in the squad".
Earlier this month, Martin said Obafemi - who had been linked with a move to Burnley late in the summer transfer window - was left out of his squad for the victory against QPR as he "wasn't in the right frame of mind". Swansea play Sheffield United on Tuesday evening. Martin said the striker could be involved if he's shown that he can contribute on the pitch.
"He obviously had the turbulent few days over the transfer window," Martin explained during a press conference.
"After that, it’s down to him to put himself back in, to show us that he’s in the right, to show us that he's in the right place to contribute to the team, to the group. As soon as he is, he’ll be back in and ready to go.
"He’s been fine, but there’s a group of players who won the game against QPR. Michael has to compete with those guys, and give us a decision to make for the squad ahead of [Tuesday].
"I would say he is getting there, slowly but surely. We’re in a better place than we were a week ago and, that’s for sure, and that’s all we can ask."
Swansea boss on dropping Michael Obafemi
The 22-year-old Obafemi has scored once in seven Championship games for Swansea this season. He joined the Welsh side in August 2021 from Southampton, scoring 13 goals in 32 league appearances last season.
Martin added that "I don’t think he is unhappy to still be here".
"I think he was told that the move was a lot closer than it actually was at one point, so of course when you think something is there that is beneficial in ways outside of football - financial, length of contract, all that stuff, then you know there is going to be some disappointment if you wanted that to happen," he continued.
"He understands how important the club have been for his own development over the last year and how patient the club and supporters have been with him and everyone involved here.
"We’re not dealing with 25 robots. They’re all different and have different ways of dealing with things, different characteristics and different personalities. Some people can remain super focused and not let the external noise affect them. For other people, it becomes a bit more difficult.
"We just have to help Michael through the period and get him back to where he was last season from January onwards. I’ve got no doubt that we will and he will.
"There’s no problem with the way he has trained or the way he’s been at all. We just need to make sure he is ready to contribute on the pitch and hopefully that’s tomorrow [Tuesday] night."
Picture credit: TLSportFoto.com / Shutterstock.com and Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
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