Swansea City's Angel Rangel has been a real inspiration for Huddersfield Town loan man Jazz Richards.

When fit, the Spanish star has been a regular in the Swansea side since they were doing battle with Town in League I back in 2007-08.

Despite never playing above the second tier in his homeland, the 30-year-old plucked from minnows Terrassa by Roberto Martinez has impressed in the Premier League after playing key roles in the promotion sides of 2008 and 2011.

The fact Rangel, who was stand-in skipper as Swansea won 3-0 at Valencia in the Europa League on Thursday, has kept his place under each of Martinez’s successors, Paulo Sousa, Brendan Rodgers and now Michael Laudrup, is testament to his ability and consistency.

Swansea City's Angel Rangel
Swansea City's Angel Rangel

That’s a quality Town loan man Richards, hoping for a full debut at Blackburn today, wants to replicate.

And the 22-year-old right-back, whose talent is widely acknowledged, knows the next three months could form a very important part of his development.

The twice-capped Wales international and former Under 21 skipper has made 14 Premier League appearances, on one occasion holding his own against wing ace Gareth Bale, now the world’s most expensive footballer after swapping Spurs for Real Madrid for £86m last month.

But he has not featured in the top flight since the arrival of Danish boss Laudrup in the wake of Rodgers’ switch to Liverpool the close-season before last, and had a loan stint in the Championship with promotion-winning Crystal Palace last season.

That didn’t stop him being awarded a new Swansea contract running through to 2016, and Richards, who also has competition from Dutchman Dwight Tiendalli at the Liberty Stadium, sees his Town stint as a great way of showcasing his potential.

Watched by scout Colin Prophett – Swansea were among eight Premier League clubs represented – he came off the bench during Tuesday’s 2-1 home win over Charlton after FIFA finally confirmed his international clearance five hours before kick-off.

“It was great to finally figure in the Town team, and I know Swansea will be looking at my performances here,” said the academy product who was born in the city and has sporting cousins in rugby union winger Eli Walker (he plays for Ospreys, who share the Liberty Stadium with the football club) and Welsh area super-middleweight boxing champion Tobias Webb.

“The loan deal was completed midway through last week, but the hold-up over clearance meant I couldn’t play against Doncaster last Saturday.

“Because it still hadn’t come on Monday, the manager had to prepare for the Charlton game presuming I wouldn’t be available, which was frustrating to say the least.

“It finally arrived about three o’clock on Tuesday, and it was a real boost to be in the squad, then to get onto the pitch for the last 20 minutes.

Jazz Richards makes his Huddersfield Town debut against Charlton Athletic
Jazz Richards makes his Huddersfield Town debut against Charlton Athletic

“I just wanted to provide some energy and enthusiasm, and to help us get the win, and while it was a bit ‘backs to the wall’ after they pulled their goal back, it was great to get the three points.”

Richards, who made his Swansea debut under Portuguese boss Sousa as a substitute in the 3-0 home Championship defeat by Middlesbrough in August 2009, has made 37 appearances for the club in all but just one this season (in the goalless Europa League draw with Malmo in Sweden).

“It’s been great to learn from players like Angel Rangel, who I rate as one of the best full-backs in the Premier League, as well as the different managers we have had at Swansea,” he explained.

“Of course I would like to have played more games, but the current manager has brought in some good players who have done the business, so you can have no complaints.

“I need to be patient and take the chance of getting regular games through loan moves, like I did with Palace last season.

“I was expecting to head out again, and I had a number of options, but Mark Robins made it a very easy decision to come here.

“The international break and the delay in clearance means I have had a good chance to settle in, and get to know the town and the lads.

“Now I just want to focus on producing my best possible form.”