Martinez praises Butler quality

Roberto Martinez praises Swansea's 'special' goal hero Tom Butler

Roberto Martinez hailed Swansea City goal hero Tom Butler as "Premier League quality" after his late winner against ten-man Luton Town on Friday.

The winger's sixth of the season sealed a 1-0 win for the League One leaders - their tenth successive home victory.

"When Tom plays to his strengths, he is a Premier League player playing in League One," said Swans boss Martinez.

"Tom is a special player and is one of the best strikers of the ball with either foot."

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Former Sunderland winger Butler struggled in his early Swansea career after previous boss Kenny Jackett signed him from Hartlepool in the summer of 2006.

But new chief Martinez has revived the ex-Ireland international.

"I think he's probably enjoying his football more than he has before and that is paying dividends," said Martinez

"I set him a target to get 10 goals this season and he's not far off now with six.

"I know that's a lot more than he's ever managed before in a season but the surprise shouldn't be that he is getting them now, it's that he didn't get them before.

"Tom is good in one-on-one situations and he's also very good at getting himself into shooting positions."

Struggling Luton frustrated Swansea but the dismissal of visiting defender Sol Davies in the 69th minute made it difficult for The Hatters to hold on.

And Luton conceded with 11 minutes remaining when Butler fired in from the edge of the area.

"We had to be patient," admitted Martinez.

"Teams come here and are very defensive minded but that is understandable as everyone is fighting for every point.

"So I am pleased we showed great maturity and responsibility in the second-half especially."

Swansea, though, did suffer injuries to midfielders Ferrie Bodde and Leon Britton.

Bodde has a shoulder problem while Britton is nursing a calf strain.

Both players were substituted against Luton and will undergo fitness tests before Swansea's Johnstone's Paint Trophy area final second leg at MK Dons on Monday.