Join the Secret Elves to discover the best shopping deals and things to do this Christmas Sign me up and spread the Christmas cheer Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

WAYNE ROUTLEDGE has been backed to prove he’s more than just an able deputy come Sunday’s showdown with title favourites Manchester City.

Swansea City star Routledge has become something of the third man at the Liberty Stadium this season, the form of fliers Nathan Dyer and Scott Sinclair keeping him waiting in the wings.

It’s meant the 27-year-old – a £1.75m summer signing from Newcastle – has been restricted to just 11 starts this term, with only six of those coming in his preferred wide role.

Yet with Dyer missing the visit of moneybags Manchester City as he starts his three-game ban, Routledge will be given his chance to force the issue in time for the season’s climax.

And now his Swans teammates are backing him to make the most of the opportunity – even if it comes against a team with the best defence in the top flight.

“It’ll be obviously disappointing to be without Nathan – but we’ve got a great player to come in for him,” said midfielder Leon Britton. “Wayne could get his chance on Sunday and if he does he’ll be desperate to take it.

“It would be hard for anyone to try and kick Nath and Scotty out of the team.

“But I think Wayne showed, especially around the turn of the year when he had a little run in the team, that he was brilliant.

“He’s been so good in training, never moaned and we all know the ability he’s got. The squad’s about pushing each other and he’s definitely been doing that this season.

“He’s been patient and now he’s going to get a chance and I’m sure he’ll show what he can do.”

With Dyer’s performances such that England are eyeing him up and Sinclair close to undroppable given his ability to find the net and tie up defenders, Routledge has found himself given the majority of his 23 run-outs from the bench as a form of fresh legs.

And it’s clear that it’s in the wide role that he is at his best, an experiment to play him at the tip of the midfield written off as unsuccessful in the early days of the season.

Next page: Chance

Indeed, when Routledge has been given a chance he’s impressed. The Crystal Palace product was eye-catching at Anfield in the draw with Liverpool, set up Sinclair for the opener in the home win over Fulham and grabbed his first Premier League goal in the hoodoo-breaking away win at Aston Villa.

However, he has not started in the league since that Villa Park victory.

And a run over Christmas with Dyer absent through injury failed to see him produce his best.

Now with Dyer out again via his ban, Routledge will have the games against Man City, Fulham and Everton to try and stake a claim for the rest of the campaign.

And striker Danny Graham admits the well-travelled wideman is keen to do just that.

“Nath being out will be a big loss, but it will give someone a chance to come into the team – and we’ve got Wayne Routledge, who is itching to play,” said frontman Graham.

“He has proved his worth over the season as well. If Nath is out for three games then we have a great replacement in Wayne to come in and do a great job for us.

“When he’s been in he’s supplied goals too so hopefully he can show that against Man City.”