Swansea City: Wilfried Bony contribution vital, says Garry Monk

Wilfried Bony scored two goals for the Ivory Coast at the 2014 World Cup

Manager Garry Monk says Ivorian striker Wilfried Bony is offering more than just goals to Swansea City this season.

Bony scored twice to help the Swans beat Leicester 2-0 and has now hit four goals in the last three games.

Monk, who is eager to secure Bony's future, says the 25-year-old is now playing with confidence after a difficult start to the season.

"I know they're judged on goals and that's their job but it's what they contribute to the team," Monk said.

"Even when he wasn't scoring goals he was still contributing very well to the team and that's important."

Bony's goal scoring run comes after he failed to find the target in Swansea's opening six league games and was sent-off in the home defeat to Southampton on 20 September.

He joined Swansea for a club-record fee of £12m from Vitesse Arnhem in 2012 and the Welsh club are set to open negotiations with Bony about a new contract.

The Ivory Coast international was linked with a move away from the Liberty Stadium in July, after scoring 25 goals in his first season with the Swans.

Bony opened the scoring against Leicester after a fine exchange of passes with midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, who rejoined the club for a second spell during the summer.

Monk believes Iceland international Sigurdsson has improved as a player following his two seasons at Tottenham.

"He's a better player than when he left us," Monk added.

"He was a very good player when he left us, but I think you can see the difference in what he's learnt since he was at Spurs.

"He's a great credit to what we want here and the way he represents us."

Sigurdsson came off after 58 minutes but Monk insisted it was precautionary ahead of forthcoming games, including Tuesday's Capital One Cup tie at Liverpool.

"There's just a little bit of tightness but he's fine - there's no problem there," Monk said.

"Obviously with the games coming up we felt instead of risking it going on any longer we take him off and let him have the rest."