Painter Looks To Monk For Inspiration

The former Birmingham City defender is unlikely to feature again this season after the injury he suffered against Southampton at the Liberty Stadium.

And he knows just where to turn to grab inspiration on how to fight back after such an injury – Garry Monk was absent for most of the 2006/7 season with a similair problem.

But having worked his way back the Swans captain was on top form last season as he led the team to the League One title and that is the example that Painter wants to follow.

“Garry is the best example I can follow,” Painter told the Evening Post.”He came back from a cruciate injury and led us to the League One title in style.

“He was unbelievable last season and my challenge is to come back stronger like he did.

“Garry has already spoken to me about how I’m feeling and I’m sure I’ll be asking him plenty of questions over the next six months about certain things I’ll come up against.

“I’m not ruling out playing again this season, but he has told me that he would probably prefer me to get myself right for next pre-season,” Painter added.

“It’s going to be a case of seeing how I heal and how I feel.

“It’s disappointing, of course, because I was enjoying playing in the Championship.

“But something always seems to crop up to ruin things when they are going well.

“Saying that, there are a lot of people in the world who have a lot worse things to live with than a cruciate injury, so I’m not going to get too down.

“I’m over the initial shock of it now and I know I will come back.

“Garry’s shown that and Matthew Upson, who I played with at Birmingham, did the same.

“You see a lot of the top players getting this kind of injury these days and they all come back from it.

“I think quite a few of them in the East Stand heard me screaming because of the pain.

“It was strange at the time because it felt like it wasn’t me. I was on the pitch listening to myself screaming uncontrollably.

“It was the worst pain I’ve ever felt, but I’m on the mend now and I’d like to say a big thanks to all the supporters who have been in touch.”