Roberto Tips Monk To Bounce Back

Alongside Kevin Austin last Tuesday, Monk was outstanding as the Swans progressed to the 2nd Round of the Carling Cup and again last Saturday - this time alongside Lawrence - in a 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest at the Liberty.

It's been a long 12 months for Monk who was injured early on last season against Scunthorpe and failed to feature for the rest of the campaign whilst his pre-season was cut short meaning he was absent for the opening day defeat against Oldham.

But now, back in situ, and possibly looking better than ever, he is being tipped by his friend and manager - Roberto Martinez - to return to the top of his game having suffered the same injury himself.

Talking to the Evening Post, Martinez said "Garry came through the Forest game really well and that's a huge positive for us

"To have someone with his leadership qualities and organisational skills is a bonus for the other players, and I've no doubt he can go on and get back to his very best now.

"These days there are no injuries that can really set you back that much. With a lot of hard work in the gym, you can get the structure of the knee as it was before and sometimes even stronger.

"It comes down to how much you want to play football, and Garry is one of those individuals who wants to play all the time.

"I think that shone through in his performance against Nottingham Forest.

"He did very well against a very strong striker in Tommy Mooney in the Walsall game, especially when he had to push himself in the last half-hour

"That really helped him ahead of Forest, and I see him playing a full part in the fixtures ahead. He is just like any other player.

"We have lost a couple central defenders and for us to be strong enough over the next 10 months we need to keep an eye on the position," added the Swansea boss.

"But we have always been aware that Garry was on his way back and we know the strengths he has.

"We thought he would be back at the start of the season until he suffered a little setback in Holland. "As things have turned out, though, the ankle injury he picked up gave him a psychological boost because he took a knock and it didn't affect the knee."

Monk should retain his place in the side for Saturday ahead of Alan Tate, who is still struggling with injury, but it is a timely return for the Swans who seem light in terms of defensive cover should an injury crisis occur. Recent rumours have linked us with a move for Reading's Sam Sodje who has not yet been able to cement his place in the side since a move from Brentford - when Swansea again were rumoured to be interested. Sodje spent a time on loan at West Brom at the back end of last season, with his last league performance for Reading coming at the back end of last year.

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