Korey Smith has more minutes in sight after return from injury

Korey Smith was glad to put his injury frustration behind him as he made his return to action in Swansea City's Carabao Cup clash with Brighton.

The midfielder had been sidelined for over a month after sustaining a calf injury in the opening-day Championship defeat to Blackburn Rovers.

But he was finally back among Russell Martin's starting XI on Wednesday night as the Swans exited the Carabao Cup following a 2-0 defeat to the top-flight Seagulls.

Smith went close to scoring his first goal for the Swans in the first half, but he flashed his header wide from a Jake Bidwell cross.

He went even closer after the break, only to see his shot cannon back off the crossbar, before he was replaced by Yan Dhanda after 64 minutes.

And Smith was happy with his night's work as he looks to out himself in contention for a start in the league.

“It was great to be back, it would have been nice to get a result but it was nice to get some minutes under my belt," he said. 

“It’s been a while since I had a game, I got a bit tired after 20 minutes! I got my second wind in the second half. That’s what it’s all about, looking at the bigger picture - it's about getting those minutes and fitness.

“I’m hoping to get some minutes in the league and get some wins and start moving up the table.”

After a month-and-a-half long wait for only his second appearance of the season, Smith is now looking forward to wracking up more minutes.

And he was quick to praise the hard work and dedication of the medical staff to get him back to full fitness.

“They’ve been great," added Smith. "It was been frustrating to do the whole pre-season and then get injured in the first league game.

"I felt really fit and sharp going into the first game of the season and to then get injured and to then having to do that work again was frustrating.

“The medical team have been absolutely amazing with me, they've worked really hard on the calf and strengthened it up.

"I didn't feel anything throughout the game, so that’s full credit to them."

During his time on the sidelines, the Smith family has grown from four to five.

Korey's wife, Hattie, welcomed their baby girl Etta to the world at the start of September. 

Smith added: "We’ve got Welsh in the family now, a baby girl. It’s been great, she’s fitted in straight away to our little family, it’s been absolutely amazing.

“Having two little boys and now a little girl, it’s really special.

“I was disappointed not to get a goal last night because I wanted to do a little celebration for her, but hopefully I’ll be able to get a goal soon.”