Parker proving he is player to rely on - Matos
[Huw Evans Picture Agency] Vitor Matos says Sam Parker has shown he is a player Swansea City can rely on after breaking back into the club's first team. Academy product Parker made his senior debut as a 17-year-old in 2023. But after only three appearances, the Wales Under-21 international suffered a hamstring injury which kept him out for a year.
Having returned to fitness, Parker managed seven substitute appearances in the second half of last season but the right-sided player has spent the majority of this campaign on the fringes of the first-team squad. However, with Josh Key and Ethan Galbraith injured, the 19-year-old has started Swansea's past three league games – and has produced three encouraging performances. "I am really happy with Sam," said Swansea boss Matos.
"Clearly he is someone who everyone relies on now, which is really good for a 19-year-old who made his debut and then had a massive injury and took a proper knock. "We are all really happy for him - everyone likes him a lot. I think he is taking steps and steps, really good steps.
Hopefully he will have a brilliant career with us. " Matos says Parker, who could start again when Swansea go to Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday (19:45 BST), has thrived during a "tough run of games". "Against Middlesbrough - a really good team - even though they don't play with wingers, he needed to control a lot of space around him and he grew into the game," Matos said.
"Then against Leicester, [there were] two really good wingers and he coped and again [against Southampton's Leo] Scienza. His confidence is growing, he is feeling much more comfortable. "Defending it was one of his best games, and of course he offers a lot when he drives forward, he is quick and he delivers good crosses.