Swansea keeping focus on league

Swansea boss Roberto Martinez says he will not to let his side be distracted by the Carling Cup clash against bitter rivals Cardiff later this month.

The two sides meet in the league for the first time in nine years at the Liberty Stadium in November.

The cup game will now be seen as the warm-up to that clash.

"When you look at the games around that match, Crystal Palace, Derby, Burnley, I don't think you can distract yourself too much," said Martinez.

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"We've been waiting 24 years to play these sort of teams.

"But we've been waiting a long, long time to be playing an official game with our neighbours and then all of a sudden, we have at least three.

"It wouldn't surprise me if we get them in the FA Cup, too."

Martinez says the Swans will approach the game like any other game but is determined to win it for the fans.

He said: "The fans may prefer to win that one and lose three or four around it, but we are treating it as the third round in the Carling Cup where we haven't been for many years.

"I understand what it means for the fans and everything we do is for the fans.

"It's a special game for them and we are going to treat it the same way as they want.

"But it's important that we realise it's a football game and it's a huge football occasion and it shouldn't go any further.

"The respect should be there and for the youngsters, it will be the first time many will see the teams play an official game, so we should make it an example for the future."

Captain Garry Monk added: "It's Christmas come early for the fans."

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