Football
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Swansea's Garry Monk targeting seventh place for Europa League spot

Swansea manager Garry Monk admits he would love another taste of European football after moving into qualification contention.

Back-to-back wins over Manchester United and Burnley have taken Swansea into eighth place and to the 40-point mark in the quickest time in their Premier League history.

Victory at Tottenham on Wednesday would take them to within a point of seventh -- albeit Spurs have a game in hand -- and Chelsea's Capital One Cup triumph has opened up another Europa League spot to a high Premier League placing.

Should Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester United win the FA Cup, then Europa League qualification could go down to as far as seventh spot -- and perhaps open it up to a Swansea side who enjoyed their European experience two seasons ago after winning the Capital One Cup.

"The club will always want progression. I want that, so do the players and the fans," Monk said. "The overview is that we had a taste of Europe last year, everyone enjoyed it and, of course, you'd love to get back to that.

"But I only look at the next game and my next agenda is 47 points. I spoke to the boys straight after the Burnley game about that. That's our best total since we've come into the league and that's a target for us now.

"We have to focus on that and we'll use it as motivation, and whatever happens rest of season happens."

Spurs have have never lost to Swansea in the Premier League and have emerged victorious on each of the last six meetings between the two clubs.

But Mauricio Pochettino's side have had a difficult week, tumbling out of the Europa League to Fiorentina on Thursday before losing Sunday's Capital One Cup final to Chelsea at Wembley.

"I would love to think it has dented their confidence but I'm pretty sure they'll get a good reaction," Monk said.

"Top players and top teams generally do that so we'll prepare for the best Tottenham side and a fully-focused Tottenham side.

"We have won two in a row and wins breed confidence but we are aware we are playing against a very good side.

"They're pushing for a top four place and the manager will be talking about how important the league is for them."

Swansea's resurgence will be tested by 24-goal Harry Kane but Monk insists his defenders relish coming up against the best strikers in the league.

"He's a real handful and he can do everything," Monk said of Kane. "He can run in behind, hold up the play and he has that individual quality to beat players.

"He's an exciting player and has been great value for money for the Spurs fans. He's something we have to prepare for and be wary of but my defenders want the challenge of being tested by the best players in the league."

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