Shefki Kuqi returned to Swansea yesterday and declared himself 'glad to be back'

A loan spell at Derby yielded a good level of appearances and a few goals but now it is back to the Liberty Stadium for the striker and he is hoping to play his part as the Swans push for a Premier League place.

"I am pleased to be back," Kuqi told the Evening Post.

"I had a good spell at Derby — it was nice to play some games at a nice club.

"They do everything properly and you can see from their training facilities and their stadium that they should really be in the Premier League.

"But if I can get a chance to play for Swansea again, that would be great.

"If not then we will see what happens, but I am back and I am looking to train well and stay fit.

"In football you never know what can happen. Things can change very quickly and I am not planning anything at the moment.

"I am just going to try to stay fit and do my best.

"Hopefully I will always be ready so that if the team needs me, I will be able to help as much as I can.

"When I went there they were near the bottom and we came up the table quite quickly," the targetman said.

"I didn't start in any of the last five games, and Derby lost four with the only win against Scunthorpe.

"I am not saying it was all about me or anything like that, but I think I played a part in helping them move up the table.

"I think my time there showed that I know this league quite well and I can play in it.

"The boys have done really well and that's nice to see," Kuqi said.

"I think they have surprised a few people who didn't think Swansea would be so high in the league, but I know the group well so it's no surprise to me."

Photo: Action Images

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