Swansea City: Roque Mesa's 'adaptation period is over,' says Paul Clement

Roque Mesa made his Premier League debut for Swansea against Manchester United in August

Swansea boss Paul Clement says Spanish midfielder Roque Mesa's time to settle is over and will only play "on merit".

Mesa, who arrived in south Wales from Las Palmas for £11m in the summer, has made just three Premier League appearances, starting just one.

Malaga have been linked with the 28-year-old but Clement says there has been no contact from the La Liga side.

"His adaptation period is over. We are into November now and he, and others, will be picked on merit," said Clement.

"When I see signs of consistency and readiness, a player will get his chance."

Swansea are 19th in the Premier League having lost eight of their 12 games this season.

Clement said finding a consistent squad for games was key to changing their fortunes, but he needed to see consistency in players first for that to happen.

"I'm making changes and I don't want to be doing that," he said.

"I want to see consistency from the players and from the team. When I see that the team will settle.

"At the moment it's not, so when someone isn't playing well someone else deserves the opportunity.

"There is no secret to consistency, there isn't one thing. For any supporter that thinks just put Roque Mesa or Wilfried (Bony) in the team and everything will be alright it doesn't work like that, it's much more complex."

Consistent squad selection will not have been helped by the back injury sustained by England striker Tammy Abraham during the Swans' 2-0 defeat at Turf Moor.

At first it was thought he would be available for Saturday's game against Bournemouth, but the Chelsea loanee has been sitting out training this week and Clement said he was "doubtful".

Despite four defeats in four games, Clement remained confident he will keep his job and believes he has the squad to avoid relegation.

"I think we currently have the players to perform at a better level than they are," he said.

"How good can they be? I'm not sure, but they are certainly better than they are now, individually and as a team."

Swansea face Bournemouth at home on Saturday before travelling to Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea on Wednesday.