Monk- Gomis going nowhere

Gomis has started just two Barclays Premier League games since leaving Lyon on a free transfer last summer with a big reputation, scoring only once in the top-flight - the winner in a memorable 2-1 victory over Arsenal last month.

The 12-times capped France forward signed a four-year deal at Swansea in June but he has had to play second fiddle to Wilfried Bony, the Premier League's top scorer in 2014.

Crystal Palace and Newcastle have been linked with a January move for Gomis but Monk insists the 29-year-old is not for sale and will get his chance over the busy Christmas period and in the new year when Ivory Coast striker Bony is away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

"I have heard the speculation about Bafe but I want him here," Monk said.

"He has been fine, trained well, got on with his job and it is not in my plans to move him on.

"He's been fantastic with me, I speak a lot to him about it and he waits for his time.

"He tries to contribute and in January he'll have a chance with Bony going to the Africa Cup of Nations and maybe in this period coming up with the number of games we have when we have to think about freshness.

"He will have his chance and that's what he's been waiting for

"

Gomis showed the finishing ability which brought him 62 goals in 172 Lyon appearances in his first Swansea start, scoring the winner in the Capital One Cup tie against Rotherham in August.

But he hasn't started a Premier League game since the goalless draw away to Sunderland at the end of September and Bony has scored seven goals in 10 games in that time.

"It's been difficult for him because he's not a young kid," Monk said.

"He's established and played and scored a lot every season with a good pedigree.

"And player like that doesn't want to spend time on the bench, They want to play and I understand that.

"I'd loved to have played him more than I have but Bony's been in such good form and players understand that.

"That quality of player will always be linked and other teams will see they haven't played as much as I or Bafe would have liked,

"They will look at him as a possible target but that shows what a good player he is."

German goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel will make his first Premier League start since May, deputising for the suspended Lukasz Fabianski, who was sent off in Swansea's 3-1 defeat at West Ham last weekend and subsequently lost his appeal against his red card

Defender Neil Taylor returns after missing out at Upton Park because of suspension and Argentina central defender Federico Fernandez is available after being sidelined for six weeks with calf trouble

Ben Davies is determined to help Tottenham secure three points on his emotional return to Swansea

Having graduated from the south Wales club's academy, the 21-year-old defender became an important figure at the Liberty Stadium.

Davies last year helped Swansea to Capital One Cup glory and won the club's young player of the year award for the past two seasons - talent which led to Spurs fork out a reported £10million for his services in the summer.

It was a difficult move for the Neath-born full-back but one he does not regret, despite leaving behind a club which retains such a big place in his heart.

Davies' parents, Alun and Eryl, still have Swansea season tickets and will be torn this weekend when their son returns to his old stomping ground for the first time as a Tottenham player.

"It's one I am really looking forward to," the Wales international said

"It's a big game in terms of the league table for both of us.

"It's a game where we have to go there, take it seriously and look for the three points.

"Yes, it will be [emotional]

It will be a strange feeling being in different colours going there, but it's one I am looking forward to.

"It's going to be an exciting game and hopefully I can get to start."

It will be a strange moment for Davies when he enters the away dressing room but a "big opportunity" he is determined to make a success of.

Asked if the circumstances make him even more determined to get three points, he said: "It will.

"If we don't pick up three points, then I'm sure a lot of my mates will be giving me quite a bit of stick.

"It's going to be a big game

It's one that is really important for us.

"They are a good bunch at Swansea and they have always been supportive

That's why it is an important club to me."

Emmanuel Adebayor will again be absent for Tottenham

The Togo striker returned to Africa before Thursday's Europa League match against Besiktas due to personal reasons and is unavailable once more this weekend

Jan Vertonghen, Harry Kane, Ryan Mason, Nabil Bentaleb and Christian Eriksen come back into contention after being rested for the trip to Turkey, while Kyle Naughton should be fit after a heel injury

Eric Dier is also expected to be okay after a toe complaint ruled him out on Thursday, while Kyle Walker could make his Premier League comeback after coming through 75 minutes of the 1-0 defeat unscathed

Source : PA

Source: PA