Swansea City forward Wilfried Bony is glad to be 'back home' with no regrets over Manchester City move as Swans prepare to face Newcastle United

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Wilfried Bony's smile is as wide as the banks of the River Tawe.

The powerful Ivorian is back 'home' with Swansea – as he describes it – after an injury-plagued spell at Manchester City. The stresses and strains of his time at the Etihad now behind him, Bony is laughing and joking as he looks ahead to facing Newcastle United.

'No, I don't regret it,' he says of his £28million switch from Swansea to City in January 2015.

Wilfred Bony is pleased to be 'back home' at Swansea City after his move from Manchester City

'I know now what it's like to be in the top four and I was working with very good players at City. There was Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Yaya Toure – it was a great experience.

'It helped me to improve in lots of ways. I learned a lot and I tried to do my best for the team, but now I'm back here. I hope this can help me and help Swansea.'

Bony's happiness at Swansea is obvious. He produced his best football with the Welsh club, scoring 34 goals in two seasons before City came calling. Doubts persist over whether the 28-year-old can recapture that form under Paul Clement, but the man himself is confident.

Bony is happy to be back in familiar surroundings after failing to enjoy his time at City 

'I went to City and I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought, I didn't have the capacity to do more,' Bony said. 

'When you go to somewhere like Manchester City, you know you're not going to play every week. Clubs like City want to win the Premier League, the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Champions League. 

'I didn't have as much time to train there as I did with Swansea and you need to be at 100 per cent at a club like City.

'Sadly for me it wasn't possible, but I still have confidence in myself and my ability.'

Bony, who cost £12m, is gearing up to play Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday 

Bony is set to appear off the bench against Rafa Benitez's Newcastle on Sunday as he searches for match fitness. 

He is likely to be afforded a hero's welcome by Swansea's fans who have been left delighted by his £12m arrival and the marquee loan signing of Renato Sanches.

The pair have created a feel-good factor, despite last season's star men Gylfi Sigurdsson and Fernando Llorente seeking pastures new. 

Bony is set to receive a hero's welcome by Swansea fans who are delighted he's back 

'When I look at the squad on paper, and what the bench might look like, I have a lot of optimism,' said head coach Clement. 

'Since I've been here, we were always one of the teams that crossed the ball the most. But if you look at the crosses in the last two games, we are the lowest. 

'So, straight away there has been a style change. Ultimately time is going to tell how we do, but I did say we can become a better team and I still believe that.'