GARRY MONK has urged Premier League referees to protect Swansea star Jefferson Montero.
The jet-heeled Ecuador winger ran Chelsea ragged at Stamford Bridge as the Swans secured an opening-day draw at the home of the champions, on the back of several similar displays last season.
Monk will be looking for more of the same from Montero, who he rates as the best one-on-one attacker in the Premier League, against Newcastle at the Liberty Stadium today.
But the Swansea boss fears Montero's tormenting of Branislav Ivanovic will have made him a marked man among top-flight defenders, and has urged officials to make sure the 250-year-old does not come in for physical punishment.
"Jeff is probably the best in the league in one-on-one situations," said Monk. "I haven't seen anyone create so many opportunities by beating his man.
"What you need with players like that is for them to be protected, because what you'll see is teams start to identify that and try using physical elements to try to disrupt them.
"When that happens hopefully the refs recognise that and deal with it because his percentage of winning his duel with his marker is probably the highest in the league."
The visit of the Magpies will see Monk come up against new Toon signing Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Swansea were keen on a move for the £13million striker but ultimately opted not to follow up their interest.
But Monk is fully aware of the Serbian international's quality, and will hope the decision not to press on with a move does not come back to haunt his side.
"I looked at him and I know what sort of player he is," he said. "He will improve them, he is a good striker and with some improvement he could be a top striker.
"He will add strength to them and their squad is better this year so we will need to be focused."
Newcastle boss Steve McClaren admitted the Serb was fortunate not to be sent off just 16 seconds into his debut last Sunday when he scythed down Southampton's Matt Targett.
He is again likely to come off the bench today with Papiss Cisse set to retain his place at Swansea after scoring in the 2-2 draw with Saints.
McClaren wants the 21-year-old to make his mark in a different way this time though.
"We told him to make an impact and that's what he did - maybe too much of an impact," said McClaren. "He has to concentrate on playing football but we can't take away that devilish aggression.
"You have to take the good with the bad. That's the kind of player he is."
While McClaren doesn't want to curb Mitrovic's natural instincts, he accepts there could be a price to pay in terms of bookings and sendings off.
"It's the same when you play Cheick Tiote," said McClaren
"The game's about physicality, it's about duels, it's about competing and sometimes you have to be over-competitive.
"But with Mitrovic, we have to try to channel his aggression."
McClaren is a big admirer of Swansea counterpart Garry Monk who is being mentioned as a possible future England manager, after a magnificent first full season in the Premier League.
But the former Three Lions boss has urged Monk to forget all about taking the national job for as long as possible.
"Would I advise him against it? Definitely," said McClaren
"I was a bit older when I got the job but Garry would be the first to admit he's not ready yet. How old he is? 37. It's too early.
"He's doing very well at Swansea, he's signed a long contract at a good club. But you've got to sustain it for quite a few years and get that experience. International management could come later.
"It's totally different, totally unique. The difference is like chalk and cheese, night and day."
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