Monk prepares to face former employers

This weekend sees Garry Monk's career turn full circle as he comes up against the club that handed him his Premier League debut.

Monk was a fresh-faced 19-year-old when former Southampton boss Dave Jones gave him his top-flight bow in November 1998.

Thirteen appearances followed during an eight-year spell on the south coast before Monk opted to cross the border to south Wales.

But as he prepares to face his former club on Saturday, the Swans skipper reflected on those halcyon days at The Dell and St Mary's.

In an exclusive interview with Jack Magazine, the official matchday programme for the Premier League clash with Southampton, Monk said: "I remember my debut well. We played Derby at home and I came up against the likes of Dean Sturridge and Paulo Wanchope, so it was a good test for me.

"But I've got some great memories of my time down at Southampton. I was fortunate enough to play and train with some fantastic players and it was where I learnt my trade.

"When I came to Swansea, that was when I became a footballer. But at Southampton I came up against some top quality strikers and I learnt about positioning and other aspects of the game after playing alongside some experienced players.

"It's great to see Southampton back in the Premier League. It has taken a while after relegation and all the financial problems, but the club is run in the right way.

"They are a big club with great facilities. The infrastructure there is massive now, and they have a good fan base as well so it's great for them that they are now back in the top-flight and doing well.

"I hope they can consolidate themselves and guarantee safety this season."

Also in this weekend's 76-page edition of Jack Magazine, we caught up with Nathan Dyer as he too prepares to face his former club.

As well as this, we have match reports from Tottenham and Norwich, as well as taking a look back at Angel Rangel's charity fundraiser at the Liberty Stadium.

Nathan Dyer answers your questions in our 'Fans' Mailbag' feature and we take a look back at former Swans from years gone by in our 'Where Are They Now?' section, as Matthew Bound takes centre stage.

And if that wasn't enough for you, in keeping with the centenary celebrations we have a special feature in every programme this season that charts the history of the Swans in bite-size instalments.