Alan Sheehan has underlined his faith in Liam Cullen as Swansea City prepare to host Watford in Saturday’s lunchtime Championship fixture, insisting the Wales forward embodies the qualities he wants in his side.
Swansea head into their second home match of the campaign still searching for another striker in the transfer market, but Sheehan has made clear that any new arrival would need to eclipse what Cullen already offers.
The 25-year-old has led the line in both of Swansea’s opening league fixtures, with the head coach full of admiration for his contribution.
“When we talk about potential players coming in, the first person I think of is the nine that is playing in Liam Cullen, an absolute tireless worker for the team, somebody who's on my team sheet more than he's not,” Sheehan said.
“He's a Welsh international - Craig Bellamy plays him as well and there's a reason for that.
“So when we talk about bringing players in and for competition, they have to be better than what we have.”
Watford will provide a stern test for Sheehan’s side, who are looking to build on a mixed start to the season.
Yet the manager believes Cullen’s energy and commitment give Swansea a platform to compete, regardless of whether further signings arrive before the window closes.
“That's a big shout out to Culls really because he's doing such a wonderful job for the team, and he will score goals. I know that.
“In terms of his work ethic, how much he loves the football club, how he shows up, how he is with the detail every day - we're incredibly grateful to have people like him here,” Sheehan added.
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The Swans have pursued a number of striking targets over the summer – including former favourite Oli McBurnie and Basel’s Kevin Carlos – but neither move came off.
Others, such as Richard Kone, Willem Geubbels and Jusef Erabi, have also been explored without success.
Promising teenager Bobby Wales has been signed from Kilmarnock but is not seen as a player ready to lead the line.
Sheehan admits he had thought a senior signing was close last weekend, but now acknowledges: “I don't think one is imminent, but it's obviously one the club are looking at.
“Let's get the right one and if he's not available, we stick with what we have and then we strengthen again [in future windows].
“Not just bring in players that will appease people for two or three months and then six to nine months down the line, think that actually it wasn't the right one.”
Cullen’s status within the squad has only grown amid the uncertainty.
A product of Swansea’s academy, he has progressed through every age group to become a full Wales international, making his debut last year.
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His rise has been hard-earned, and Sheehan believes his reliability is exactly what the squad needs heading into a tough fixture schedule.
While Cullen looks set to start against Watford, the game could also underline the uncertainty around Ollie Cooper’s future.
The midfielder has yet to feature in the Championship this season, with summer arrivals Marko Stamenic, Malick Yalcouye and Ethan Galbraith pushing him down the pecking order.
Cooper was given 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup win at Crawley Town but now faces a fight to even make the bench in league games.
“If a player wants to play regular football and you can't guarantee it, look that's a conversation,” Sheehan admitted.
“But right now Ollie is doing well - he is involved in the group. We have good competition in there so there's no problems.
“Nobody will ever be forced out of the door here as long as I am here. That will be the player's decision ultimately.”
Swansea face a Watford side who have ambitions of their own this season, making Saturday’s contest an early gauge of where Sheehan’s men stand.
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