Orlandi - It's good to be back

Orlandi - It's good to be back

Andrea Orlandi: Aiming to force his way into the Swansea first team squad

Swansea midfielder Andrea Orlandi admits it is good to be back after returning to action for the club's reserves on Wednesday.

The Spaniard has endured a frustrating ten weeks on the sidelines after sustaining a hamstring injury in training.

But he made his return this week in the second string's 2-2 draw with Chelsea - coming through 70 minutes - and he is targeting a full 90 minutes for the reserves on Monday.

Longer term, he wants to force his way back into Brendan Rodgers' first-team squad after receiving his first start of the Premier League season in the away win at Aston Villa in January before featuring in the FA Cup v ictory over Barnsley five days later.

"My goal is to be back in the first-team squad; I want to show Brendan that he can count on me. We have some good games coming up and I want to be a part of it."
Andrea Orlandi Quotes of the week

Orlandi told the club's official website: "It's good to be back.

"The idea was for me to play 60 minutes but I wanted to carry on for a little bit longer because I felt better in the second half.

Good opportunity

"I didn't feel quite as sharp in the first half, but that's natural and we have another game on Monday so that will be a good opportunity for me to get 90 minutes under my belt.

"It was unfortunate to pick up the injury but I'm back in training with the lads and my fitness will improve over time with both training and matches."

Looking back to his injury, he added: "The gaffer gave me a chance for two games, but then to pick up the injury was very frustrating.

"But these things happen in football and all I can do now is train hard and play well in reserve matches to try and get myself back into the team.

"My goal is to be back in the first-team squad; I want to show Brendan that he can count on me. We have some good games coming up and I want to be a part of it.

"I will look to play another 90 minutes on Monday and get myself a bit sharper."