Laudrup hails Routledge

Swansea boss Michael Laudrup has praised Wayne Routledge following the winger's excellent start to the season.

Routledge's talent has never been in doubt but he has struggled to deliver consistently across a career that has taken in stints with several clubs, including QPR, Newcastle and Tottenham. His first season at Swansea saw him mainly used from the bench by Brendan Rodgers, but he has started every league game since Laudrup took charge during the summer. And Routledge has relished the freedom Laudrup has afforded his wide men this season, scoring two goals and having a hand in several others. Laudrup said: "When I came here I did not know a lot about Wayne, but when I talk to people, they say he is doing great. "We give him the confidence and I think that is important for every player, he knows even if he is not playing that well he will not lose his position in the squad, because he will always part of the three wingers we have. For a player like Wayne, who has not been a regular starter for a long time, I think it is even more important. "I heard when I arrived that he had played 100 games and scored one goal and he has already doubled that this season. He has good vision, he is very fast, and he can change speed and direction so quickly and defenders don't like that."