Kyle aiming to impress
Kyle Bartley is aiming to force his way into Carlos Carvalhal’s Premier League plans having faced the new Swansea City boss in the Championship.
Bartley has experience of facing Carvalhal’s Sheffield Wednesday side following his successful loan spell with Leeds United last season.
Now, having battled back from a significant knee injury, the central defender is determined to play regular football under the Portuguese.
Bartley featured at first-team level for the first time since August in last weekend’s Emirates FA Cup draw at Wolves.
And having looked close to claiming a regular starting spot prior to his injury, Bartley is hungry for more opportunities.
“It’s all about now for me,” he said.
“I’ll come into training, work hard and show the manager what I’m capable of doing.
“Hopefully, I can force my way into this team, improve it a little bit by bringing something different and help us get some points on the board.
“I came up against the manager a couple of times in the Championship last year, so I think he has an idea of what I can bring to the team both on and off the pitch.
“But it’s up to me to show him by continuing to work hard and, hopefully, helping the team.”
Bartley was pleased to get 90 minutes under his belt at Molineux having been sidelined since damaging knee ligaments in the Carabao Cup tie at MK Dons more than four months earlier.
He had played some football for the Swans’ development side, but stepping on to the pitch at senior level was a major step forward.
“You’re never quite sure how your body is going to react after so long away,” Bartley said.
“It was a big positive to get a clean sheet. The whole team defended well and Kristoffer (Nordfeldt) was great in goal.
“I’m happy to know that I’m capable of playing 90 minutes and hopefully, I can now show the manager what I’m capable of bringing to the team.”
Bartley will hope to play some part when the Swans return to Premier League action at Newcastle on Saturday.
Carvalhal’s side are bottom of the table heading into the fixture, but have built up some momentum under their new boss.
“It’ll be a difficult game, but we have to go into every game with the mindset that we can win,” Bartley added.
“We have to keep believing. When you’re in trouble, you need strong characters and leaders.
“It might just be that one win that gives us the confidence and belief to perform the way we know we can.”
