Sheffield Wednesday defender Frederico Venanico has claimed that he is "thankful" to Carlos Carvalhal for bringing him to English football.

During the summer, Carvalhal - then boss of the Owls - signed Venanico from Vitoria de Setubal but the centre-back did not make an appearance for the Owls until Carvalhal's last game.

Venanico has since established himself in the starting lineup at Hillsborough but ahead of a reunion with Swansea City manager Carvalhal in Saturday's FA Cup tie, the Portuguese has insisted that he has nothing to prove to his compatriot.

The 25-year-old is quoted by Sky Sports News as saying: "He was the one who brought me here and I am thankful for that. I understand I didn't play because I needed some months to adapt to a different culture. I am not upset because of that.

"In the end my first game in the first team was still with him in charge. I am not negative against him, it is more the opposite - I am really positive."

Venanico has now made a total of 11 appearances in all competitions this season.