Galbraith will return to club action this Saturday after earning rave reviews for his performances with Northern Ireland during the international break.
The 24-year-old midfielder outshone Liverpool’s £116m star man Florian Wirtz as Northern Ireland lost 1-0 at home to Germany in a World Cup qualifier on Monday evening.
Now, with former Swans star Lee Trundle having claimed Galbraith is already good enough to play in the Premier League, the former Leyton Orient player will return to Championship action at Southampton.
Galbraith’s value to Sheehan is already evident in the fact the £1.5m player signed in the summer has played in every game for the club so far this season.
But Sheehan is equally determined to hang on to a player he describes as a “prize asset” for as long as possible and certainly beyond the next transfer window in January.
Asked about Trundle’s suggestion that Galbraith has Premier League level ability, Sheehan said: "I wouldn't disagree with that.
“But he’s our player, and obviously the recruitment team have done a great job in bringing him here. Now we get to protect him.
"Let's keep him here and keep building with him.
“I have high hopes for a lot of the players that we've brought in. You know the business is we have to create assets as well as being competitive on the football pitch and he's definitely one of them.
“The recruitment team picked him out a long time ago so he's somebody that's been on the radar.
“He's come in and he can play in a number of positions and he is an absolute diamond of a lad as well. He's wonderful for culture and he's made a real impact here.”
Galbraith has already played 16 matches in total this season - 12 for Swansea and four more for Northern Ireland - and Sheehan’s more immediate concern is to make sure he does not overplay his playmaker.
He was left out of the starting line-up for the Swans’ most recent match against Leicester City and although he came on as a substitute, Sheehan’s side suffered a 3-1 home defeat.
“He’s already had an extended season, getting to the play-off final (with Orient),” added Sheehan.
“He has played nearly every minute of every game and he also played in all the cup games, then all the international games.
“It's one where we just want to keep an eye on him - to make sure that he doesn't get fatigued. You want him to kind of reset to show his top levels.”
The Swans will return to action after the international break in 12th place, three points adrift of the play-off places.
A large contingent of Sheehan’s squad were on international duty, including Wales pair Ben Cabango and Liam Cullen.
Whilst there was plenty of love for Galbraith on social media, Cullen came in for criticism from some following his performance during Wales’ 3-0 defeat to England, even though he was part of a very poor collective display.
“After a game, people are highly emotional,” added Sheehan.
“I think it was obviously a difficult first half. But some people on social media would probably rather be right and stick by it.
“So, when that player is doing well they just go quiet and wait for the next match.
“When we win, you will be quite popular and when you lose you will be very unpopular. And that is the way of the world.
“But I would say just be consistent, be professional, continue with the plan, keep going and work hard.”
