'Melker is improving all the time - his chance will come'

Alan Sheehan has told Melker Widell "his chance will come" after the Sweden international's low-key start to life at Swansea City.

Widell, 23, is yet to begin a Championship game since arriving at Swansea in the summer and he has not even made the bench in their past three games.

There was considerable excitement at Swansea after they completed the signing of midfielder Widell from Danish side AaB Aalborg for a significant fee back in January.

As part of the deal, Widell spent the remainder of the season on loan at Aalborg before moving to Wales on a contract which runs until 2029.

Since the Widell transfer was agreed, Sheehan has replaced Luke Williams as Swansea's head coach, while then chairman Andy Coleman has stepped aside.

Nevertheless, Sheehan insists Swansea's new-look hierarchy regard Widell as a player with a big future.

"He signed here on a long-term contract and is massively part of our plans," Sheehan said.

"I've had numerous talks with Melker – he is a top lad, his attitude is wonderful and he will get there.

"He is not there yet. He's got things he needs to improve on like every player. But in terms of how he trains every day, how he is around the place, he's excellent and he's going to be involved for us."

Widell has played only 65 minutes of league football across six substitute appearances for Swansea, while he started Carabao Cup ties against Crawley Town and Plymouth Argyle and came off the bench in the win over Nottingham Forest.

Sheehan says the former Malmo youngster's best position is attacking midfield.

Competition for places in that area of the pitch at Swansea has been fierce, with the likes of Ethan Galbraith, Malick Yalcouye, Goncalo Franco and Liam Cullen all featuring in more advanced midfield roles – usually ahead of Marko Stamenic in the holding role – at times this season.

"Obviously that's the difficulty in my job, leaving players out who are doing everything right on the training pitch and with how they are," Sheehan added.

"I think ultimately Melker is getting used to a different way of playing and getting better. He's got so much desire to get better and he will get better.

"He's improving all the time, so his chance will come."