Tate Almost Back

Tate has been out for over two months with a fractured knee cap but is closing in on a return to action and believes that he can slot back into the side – when he gets the chance.

Talking in today’s Western Mail, Tate said “People keep saying we need another centre-back, but I want to be that guy

“I think I can do a job if I’m given the chance.

“I’m not going to close the book on right-back or central midfield. But I would like to be given a chance at centre-half.

“I didn’t mind being moved around into different positions. I really enjoyed it and, if the team needs me to, I’d do it again. But for now I want to stick to central defence.

“My knee feels good and hopefully I will be back in the full squad soon”

“It’s just really frustrating to be honest,” he said. “I was feeling really fit, really strong and then this happened.

“The timing was the worst thing about it really. I was talking to Garry Monk about it and it was the same for him last year, although his was a much worse injury.

“It’s strange because we both injured our knees in the second game of the season at a time when we were feeling fitter than ever before.

“It’s bad being on the sidelines. But I have to be grateful that I was only out for nine weeks.

“I didn’t think it would be this bad. I just thought it was bruising around the kneecap that would go down after a couple of days.

“But it didn’t go away and when I went for a scan a few days later they found a fracture and it turned out I would be out for several weeks.

“You have to be positive with these things though. When I look at the likes of Garry, Darren Way and Owain Tudor-Jones, the injuries they have had to deal with shows how lucky I am.”

Tate is also aware that he needs to be back in action to earn himself a new deal at the club “It’s not really in my hands,” he said. “I’d love to stay and the club knows that.

“I’m happy here in Wales and I love playing for Swansea. It’s not something I want to give up.

“I’d like to get it sorted as soon as possible if they are going to offer me something. But it’s the manager’s choice and I understand that.”