Russell Martin says Steven Benda's injury has not impacted his contract situation at Swansea City.
The goalkeeper sustained a knee injury in the 1-1 draw at Queens Park Rangers in January and has since undergone surgery that will keep him sidelined beyond the summer, with a return in late 2023 appearing likely.
Following the conclusion of the current campaign, the German will enter the final year of his deal with the Swans, although Martin remains eager to see the 24-year-old put pen to paper on fresh terms with the club.
"He's doing really well, he was in quite a bit of pain for the first few days but he's settled down," said Martin.
"Archie's [Matthews] had the same operation albeit a week later than Steve. They'll get each other through it I think.
"I think the surgeon is really happy, Steve is happy that it's done and out of the way and now the long process starts to rehab and get back really.
"I don't think he'll be fit for the start of next season. It's a case of not rushing it because it was a bad one."
And on the contract specifically, Martin stated: "We spoke about it before, he knew we wanted to do that, if we're going to do it properly then we need to carry on.
"It doesn't change anything really. It probably changes the short term in terms of what it looks like for Steven, but long term I don't think it should change anything."
The injury serves as a real blow for Benda who was finally enjoying a prolonged run of games for Swansea having been second choice or out on loan previously under the current coaching staff.
Having ousted Andy Fisher as number one in early September, Benda played a pivotal role in Swansea's surge up the Championship table and, despite a few sloppy moments, was generally solid in between the sticks.
Nevertheless, the Swans have since recruited Andreas Sondergaard on a short-term deal for the rest of the season.
But Martin believes Benda's determination to return to the club and prove his worth following a loan spell with Peterborough United in addition to his ability at Championship level makes him fully deserving of a new contract.
"It was a really tough moment for Steve (last year)," he said. "He started the season in something totally different and new and he had the added weight of not playing for the club properly before.
"To come in and do what we were asking him to do was difficult. Ben's [Hamer] skillset was with the ball with his feet. He was superb and helped the team a lot. At that point, Steve was not the person he is now. He's really grown in the last 18 months.
"It's been amazing watching it, but at the time he said he just wanted to play football, Ben was doing really well and he got the chance to go and play every week at Peterborough but obviously he then got injured.
"Then we brought Fish in, another young goalkeeper, but in the long term we thought it would be good for the club.
"It's also not financially very viable, paying less for two goalkeepers than we were for one the season before. Last summer Ben left and we always knew Steven was coming back.
"There were a couple of options for Steve to explore to go and play abroad, and a few English clubs were interested. But we sat down in the summer and said 'it's really up to you, you can come back and fight'. The growth in him had been really incredible and he decided he wanted to stay and fight.
"Fish started the season because he finished last season really well, and that's why I really don't like having a clear number one and then a number two, whereas, if they know they're competing, it gives an edge and it adds something.
"Steve was incredible with Fish when he was playing in terms of supporting and helping him, but, at the same time, Steve maintained the belief that he was the best goalkeeper here and he wanted to play.
"Since he came in he was incredible, and it's been a big loss for us. Again, two young goalkeepers, it's not going to be easy and Steve's injury makes it difficult. But I'm really proud of him for what he's done and what he's given us. That's why we need to give him a contract for the long term because he's an outstanding goalkeeper at this level.
"'I've got no doubt that with his mentality, mindset and personality that his injury won't affect his development, it'll just be a delay to it, it's not going to affect him in the long term."
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