Swansea City centre-back Joe Rodon has now revealed the key aspect to his injury comeback at The Liberty Stadium in recent weeks.

The Welsh international has recently been sat on the sidelines since October because of surgery on his ankle tendon, and he performed well in his first start for three months against Preston North End at the weekend.

The defender had started the season off promisingly at the heart of the Swans defence as he was staking a claim to be regularly included in the Wales national team, before injury seemed to halt his campaign.

Speaking to the club's official website, the defender said: "All the boys that have experienced a long-term injury will tell you that it’s not where you want to be,” he said.

"This time around, I understood the physical aspects that were expected of me, but mentally, it was way tougher.

"I am delighted my hard work has paid off and luckily, things went well for me at Preston.

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"The first three months of the season were going really well and it was a great experience everywhere I went.

"It was frustrating but I’m glad to put a shift in with the boys and get the 90 minutes.

"I just want more and more of that in these games ahead."

Since being appointed manager in the summer, Steve Cooper has put his trust in the young defender as he paired him with the experienced head of Mike van der Hoorn during the early stages of the season, until injury began to disrupt the defence at The Liberty Stadium.

Van der Hoorn himself has been on the sidelines lately, as he has struggled to shake off a recurring knee injury that has seen youngsters Ben Wilmot and Ben Cabango step up in his absence.

The Verdict

Rodon has shown that he has been mentally prepared to put his injury worry aside in recent weeks, and has worked hard to return to full fitness.

The defender has managed to force his way back into the Swansea starting XI as well, and his performance against Preston may have proven that he has already returned to form following his injury.