Jazz Richards determined to fight for his place in the team

JAZZ Richards is eyeing a loan move as he aims to press his case for more first-team football at Swansea City.

The full-back was handed his debut by Paulo Sousa three seasons ago and last year got a taste of the top flight.

He ended up making eight Premier League appearances and another in the FA Cup.

That number might have been greater but for the form of regular right-back Angel Rangel.

The Spaniard has also started this season strongly and set Swansea on their way to victory by scoring the first goal against West Ham last Saturday.

Rangel's form means Richards believes he might have to prove himself away from the Liberty if he is to force his way into Michael Laudrup's plans.

"When Brendan was here the plan for this season was to go out and get some games, then fight for my place in the squad," said the 21-year-old.

"I'm in my fourth year as a professional footballer and I need to play games.

"But I spoke to the chairman and he wants me to stay.

"It's the beginning of the season and anything can happen.

"But I would like to get some games and come Christmas, if I haven't played enough, we can look at it again."

Richards was an unused substitute when Swansea kicked off the campaign at Queens Park Rangers, but was not included on the bench against West Ham.

He made his first appearance of the campaign against Barnsley in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday, coming on to replace Rangel in the closing stages.

"It's a bit frustrating, training all week and then not playing a game at the end of it," said Richards.

"This year there's a new under-21 squad, but, no disrespect, I don't really want to be part of that.

"I want to be playing in front of crowds of people and I want to do that in the first team.

"It's hard to step in and claim a spot but I've kept fighting and hopefully I can push on again soon.

"I played 35 minutes the other night, but I want to play more.

"I would have liked to have started. I didn't, but there will be other cup games."

A regular at under-21 level for Wales, Richards should again be included when Geraint Williams's side travel to the Czech Republic in ten days' time.

But the Brynmelyn product also has aspirations to force his way into Chris Coleman's senior side.

After making his full Wales debut in a 2-0 defeat to Mexico last May, Richards was not included in the squad for next Friday's World Cup qualifier at home to Belgium.

"I'm a bit gutted that I'm not in the squad for this coming game but I have to keep fighting and hopefully get back in," he said.

"We're a country who have got good full-backs so it's a case of fighting all the time to get that spot.

"It was good experience for me to go out there and play Mexico in New York.

"The heat was unbelievable. Mexico are used to that heat but you don't often get it in Swansea.

"It was difficult for us.

"The boys did very well in that game, but Mexico are a first-class side."

At under-21 level, defeat to Armenia means Wales face the Czech Republic with no hope of reaching Euro 2013.

And Richards reckons the lack of first-team game time among the squad might have contributed to that failure.

"It's important to get games with your club to be able to go and play international football," Richards added.

"If I were to go out on loan it would probably be to the Championship

"I want to go there, play games, get confidence, come back and hopefully play in the Prem with Swansea."