Monk has been unable to train with the rest of the squad for the past fortnight Swansea City captain Garry Monk says he is winning his battle to be fit for the beginning of the Premier League season.Monk has not featured in any of Swansea's pre-season games and has been training on his own over the past fortnight because of a foot injury.
But the 32-year-old is hoping to play in Sunday's friendly in Austria and his target is to lead the side out against Manchester City on 15 August.
"I'm pushing my case to play," said centre back Monk.
"Maybe I will get a few minutes [on Sunday], but that's the manager's call."
Monk picked up the injury towards the end of last season, which ended with Swansea beating Reading in the Championship Play-off final at Wembley to claim their place in the Premier League for the first time in their history.
A Monday night televised match at Etihad Stadium awaits them in their opening fixture, a match Monk had been expected to miss according to manager Brendan Rodgers.
But a gradual recovery from his injury has given Monk fresh hope of forcing his way into the side.
Continue reading the main story 1-0 loss to Neath3-1 win over Port Talbot2-0 win over Afan Lido3-1 win over Inter Bakuv United Arab Emirates Olympic team (31 Jul, Austria)v Celtic (3 Aug, home)v Real Betis (6 Aug, home)"We have worked so hard to the get to the Premier League and we are all looking forward to it," he told Swansea City's website.
"I must have had around 20 injections in the build up to the play-off final, but it was worth it.
"I don't want to miss out on the opening game, but despite being captain I know there is no player that is certain of his spot.
"We've brought in Steven Caulker on loan, while I'm competing with Ash [Williams] and Tatey [Alan Tate] too.
"It's great for the manager, but we all want to play.
"To lead the club out onto the pitch for the opening game would be a massive thing for me.
"Getting back to the top flight was always my ambition, and I'm delighted I've done that with Swansea."
Swansea's pre-season preparations continue on Sunday with a match against the United Arab Emirates Olympic team in Bishophofen, near Salzburg.
Rodgers will take a close look at goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel, who has joined on a week's trial.
The 32-year-old German was recently released by Salzburg, having played 28 games for the Austrian Bundesliga side last season.
Swansea have turned their attention to other targets after failing with ?2m bid for Fulham's David Stockdale.
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