Publications
Partners
Swansea - Ben Davies admits he will have to keep his emotions in check when he makes his first return to Swansea as Tottenham visit the Liberty Stadium on Sunday.
Davies joined Spurs during the close season for a fee of around 10 million ($15 million) and is finally establishing himself in the side after a slow start to his career at White Hart Lane.
The left-back knows it will be a shock going back to the club where he started his career, but with Tottenham lying 10th in the Premier League, two places behind Swansea and six points adrift of the Champions League, he is well aware there will be no place for sentiment.
"I'd been at Swansea all my life before moving to Spurs so it's the first time I've been in this situation but it's something I'm excited about," Davies said.
"I've not over-thought about it, but I am excited. I know a lot of people there and it will be a bit surreal. It's a big day.
"You have to take the sentiment out of it. It's an important game for us and we'd love to get the win. Swansea are playing well but we'll be looking at areas we can exploit.
"It will be tough but we've played well on the road and hopefully that will continue. We'll give it our best shot."
Tottenham's Kyle Walker could start at right-back after continuing his return from a nine-month injury lay-off in the 1-0 Europa League defeat to Besiktas on Thursday.
"I still feel a little rusty in my decision making but that will come with time," Walker said.
"I've played 67 minutes, 90 and now 75 for the first team so by the next game, if selected, I'll be sharp and fully fit.
"Everything feels perfect and I'm ready to go again for Sunday."
Spurs will again be without striker Emmanuel Adebayor who has returned to Togo to deal with a family problem.
Meanwhile, Swansea manager Garry Monk expects his side to deliver a positive response following last Sunday's 3-1 defeat at West Ham.
That loss was marked by the dismissal of keeper Lukasz Fabianski and with the Pole suspended, Gerhard Tremmel will come in for his first league start of the season.
"You have to be patient. It's easier to train hard and play than it is to train hard and not play," Tremmel said.
"But I'm at the stage of my career where I've seen many things and been in far worse situations, so I know how to deal with it."
Tremmel believes Swansea can take advantage of Spurs' inconsistent start to the season and he added: "Looking at Sunday's game, Tottenham are under pressure.
"I think they were looking to be in the top five of the table but have obviously had a lot of changes in both staff and players.
"We want to respond from the West Ham game and try to get another win. Our away form isn't the best right now, so we are picking up most of our points at home.
"That is important because before the New Year I think we need as many points as possible."
