Jefferson Montero says the power of love has restored his match-winning abilities at Swansea City.
The Ecuadorian looked to be on his way out of the club last season when former managers Paul Clement and Carlos Carvalhal decided they could do without the winger in their Premier League squad.
Montero – who shone so brightly for the Swans when he first arrived at the club four years ago – spent the first half of last season on loan with Getafe before joining Mexican side Emelec on a sub-loan.
Even current boss Graham Potter seemed lukewarm about Montero’s prospects when the Englishman took over at the start of the summer, but Montero’s influence as an impact substitution so far in the Championship has been huge.
Montero transformed the opening day match at Sheffield United and did the same at Millwall last Saturday – coming off the bench to set up both goals in a 2-1 win.
The winger supplied fellow substitute Kyle Naughton for the equaliser before teeing up Oli McBurnie for the winner as the Swans had to battle for 85 minutes following Courtney Baker-Richardson’s early red card.
Montero says: “I really like the manager. He understands me and he has built up my game-time carefully.
“I had to go out on loan last season as the manager at the time felt I wasn’t in his plans. I understand that – it’s football.
“But I feel loved again. The manager can get the best of me and I am glad I did a good job for the team on Saturday. He knows how to get the best of me.
“I feel this is a big opportunity for me, and I really want to do it for the fans, the manager, my team-mates and the physios who have helped me get back to full fitness.
“We all enjoyed the result on Saturday – it shows we are all together and want to do this for the Jack Army.”
Baker Richardson will be suspended for three games following his red card.
The striker was sent off just five minutes into his Football League debut for a tackle on Lions defender James Meredith.
Baker-Richardson will now be banned for the Swans’ home clash with Nottingham Forest on September 15 as well as the trips to Stoke (September 18) and Middlesbrough (September 22).
He will be free to play again when the Swans host Queens Park Rangers on September 29.