Get the latest Swans news sent straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Renato Sanches admits he was "scared" of getting injured during his difficult loan spell with Swansea City.

The midfielder joined Swansea on loan from Bayern Munich but made only 15 appearances in all competitions, failing to score a single goal for the club as the Swans were relegated from the Premier League.

Sanches returned to the Bundesliga following his season-long loan in South Wales and has been given a more prominent role at the Allianz Arena under Bayern boss Niko Kovac.

And the Euro 2016 winner - who suffered with hamstring problems during his time at the Liberty Stadium - admits he was "not physically fine" at SA1.

"When I went to Swansea, the intention was to get more minutes so I be called for the World Cup," Sanches told The Players' Tribune.

"But physically I was not fine, because I noticed how I am now, compared to six months ago, or a year ago, at Swansea.

"I feel the difference completely.

"I was running and would think of my leg, 'I cannot tear it again'. I was scared.

"Of course, it hurts because you win the Euros, you're elected the best young player in the tournament.

"Then the World Cup is coming and you want to play.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

"I think things happen for a reason, so we can learn. I think there are certain things we do not know how to respond to and that we do not know how to say why they happened."

Sanches received the Young Player of the Tournament award as Portugal tasted glory at Euro 2016 prior to his Liberty move.

He has featured on 19 occasions in all competitions for Bayern Munich so far this term, scoring one goal.