Russell Martin | Hard work paying off for Michael Obafemi

Russell Martin believes hard work on the training ground is paying off for Michael Obafemi after the striker scored the winner against Blackburn Rovers.

The 21-year-old's header helped the Swans claim a 1-0 win over the promotion hopefuls, despite being down to 10 men for over 35 minutes following Ryan Manning’s second yellow card.

Obafemi notched his first goal at the Swansea.com Stadium since joining from Southampton at the beginning of the season, converting Jamie Paterson’s cross with a powerful header at the back post.

Martin believes the goal will benefit the Republic of Ireland international and praised his efforts in training to earn a place in the starting 11.

“It’s important for Michael, he’s been working very hard on his heading recently because he had a couple of chances at Hull and it’s an area we wanted to work on,” the Swans head coach.

“Michael’s positioning was great which is something we work on a lot, and the finish is really nice but, more importantly, what he’s put in for the team in the last few weeks has been really great.

“He’s been getting frustrated that he hasn’t scored, he’s had chances, but at least he’s putting himself in position and he deserved that.

“I’m really pleased for him, it takes some people longer than others to feel settled and to understand what they are a part of.

“He’s been on the pitch more recently because he deserves to be on the pitch more with the way that he’s trained.

“I think he’s become accustomed to what is expected of him, and I think the fans have really taken to him here and he needs to carry on doing what he’s doing.

"That goal will hopefully be the start of a very successful period for him.”