Bodin worry over Cooper’s lack of action in first team
PAUL Bodin admits he’s frustrated over Brandon Cooper’s lack of game-time for Swansea City ahead of his Wales Under-21 side’s Euro qualifiers against Gibraltar and Switzerland.
The defender has made seven first-team appearances under Russell Martin this term, although the most recent of those came in the 2-0 Carabao Cup third round loss to Brighton on September 22.
As a result of the form of Ryan Manning, Kyle Naughton and Ryan Bennett, Cooper has not featured in any of his side’s last six Championship squads.
And Bodin says the 21-year-old – who spent the first half of last season at Newport County – may need to secure another loan move away from Swansea.com Stadium in the January transfer window.
“Brandon was excellent for Newport. Big move for him last year, but he stepped up to the plate,” he said.
“Consistent performances at the highest level, the team played fantastically well and they missed him. But in Brandon’s case, he did really well, matured, the experience he gained was invaluable and I was surprised he went back and never played. I know he got an injury so that wouldn’t have helped obviously.
“But he’s learnt from it and again he’s played Championship football this year so all the experience he gained from it was invaluable and I know he really enjoyed his time there. I don’t know if he’d ever go back there because I’m sure he can play at a higher level consistently. He’s hoping it’s with Swansea but we’ll obviously have to wait and see because he’s not getting as much game-time as we all think he should do.
“I am a bit frustrated for him, because he is such an honest player, a model professional and he deserves everything he gets. And at the moment he’s perhaps not getting his just rewards.
“In my opinion, and I know because of his performances at senior level, he should be playing first-team football. Whether that’s at Swansea or somewhere else and hopefully that will happen in the future.”