Garry Monk's absence will hit Swansea's defence hard

The 27-year-old centre back picked up the injury in an innocuous-looking challenge with Scunthorpe striker Andy Keogh in Tuesday's 2-2 draw.

Swansea had hoped Monk could return to action by February, but now fear his recovery will be much longer.

"Gary will need a second operation and six months is the minimum he will be out for," physio Richie Evans said.

Monk has already had surgery because of the severity of his injury and will need a further operation on his anterior cruciate ligament.

Evans, speaking to the Evening Post, added: "Garry needed an operation straight away because there was some nerve damage in the knee."

Midfielder Darren Pratley, who joined for �100,000 from Fulham this summer, has taken over the captaincy for the time being.

Tuesday's draw at Scunthorpe came at a heavy price for Swansea as midfielder Andy Robinson picked up an ankle injury and defender Alan Tate was sent off.

Robinson will be sidelined for at least two weeks, Tate will be suspended for the next three games.

Tate, playing his first game of the season after a one-match ban, was shown a red card after just 16 minutes for a two-footed tackle on Cleveland Taylor.

Swansea City manager Kenny Jackett had initially said he would appeal against the sending off after saying the referee made a mistake.

We've got work to do defensively Swansea manager Kenny Jackett

Despite losing Monk and Tate inside the first half hour, Swansea took the lead at Glanford Park when Robinson struck just before the break.

Scunthorpe hit back with goals from Andy Crosby and Billy Sharp, but Rory Fallon rescued a point for the Swans with a 77th-minute header.

"We've got our first point of the season in a very eventful evening," said Jackett. "We showed a terrific attitude and spirit.

"Alan got sent off after 15 minutes and the positives are that after that we scored two goals away from home. We do look like we've got goals in us and that's a positive.

"Despite the changes after losing Alan Tate and then Garry Monk - two defenders - we still have a lot of work to do defensively.