Wigan Ben Wilmot

Ben Wilmot | I know I've got big shoes to fill

8th November
First team

Ben Wilmot is eager to seize his Swansea City chance, but says he is no doubt about the size of the shoes he has to fill at the heart of the defence.

The highly-rated 20-year-old joined on loan from Watford in August and started the Carabao Cup wins over Northampton and Cambridge United.

However, the form of Mike van der Hoorn and Joe Rodon meant he had to be patient when it came to starting for the Swans in the Championship.

Rodon’s ankle injury, and subsequent surgery, handed Wilmot his chance and he grasped it with a derby winner against Cardiff and a fine performance at Wigan.

The England Under-21 squad member is not getting carried away, however, and wants to build on a solid foundation.

Cardiff Ben Wilmot

And he knows he will need to perform strongly to make sure the absence of Wales international Rodon is not keenly felt.

“I have had to be patient but I’ve just continued to work hard to make sure I’m ready. I knew my chance would come,” he said.

“Unfortunately for Joe, it’s come at his downfall but that is so often the case in football. It takes misfortune for someone to give an opportunity somewhere else.

“The key is to make the most of that chance, I have needed to make sure I step up.

“Joe has been playing really well so I have got big shoes to fill.

“I have done as much as I could in the last two games and we have got the wins, but there is more to come from me and I know I need to keep improving.”