Vitor Matos believes Josh Key is starting to enjoy his football again thanks in part to the right-back's cameos on the wing.
Key has struggled for his best form this season, with midfielder Ethan Galbraith picked ahead of him on a number of occasions on the right flank of Swansea City's back four.
But there was a welcome boost for Key earlier this month as he scored his first goal of the season in Swansea's win at Watford after coming off the bench to play on the wing.
The 26-year-old said afterwards that the goal "meant a lot" because of what has been "a tough moment in my career".
Head coach Matos reckons Key, a popular figure within Swansea's dressing room, is a player on the up after his challenging spell.
"I think he's is getting his happiness back," Matos said.
"Sometimes it's not easy. Like in all professions in the world there's good and bad moments - for sure you guys had your bad and good moments as journalists.
"Josh is a good professional, a wonderful kid. There's a lot of qualities that he has. I think he's in a better place at the moment and I'm just happy to see him like that."
Key started on the bench once more as Swansea beat Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.
He was again used in a more advanced role when he came on as a second-half substitute – and Matos says the former Exeter player has experience of operating higher up the pitch.
"Technical wise he's a good player, he has good crosses, he has good timing to finish in the box, he's aggressive on that kind of run," he added.
"I asked him - before he played as well as a left winger, so that's maybe why he understands that spaces.
"We will use him there and other situations he will play in a natural position that is right-back."