Swansea City: Jefferson Montero shirt swap 'no big issue' - Monk

Jefferson Montero featured in three games for Ecuador at the 2014 World Cup finals

Swansea City manager Garry Monk says he will talk to winger Jefferson Montero after the Ecuadorian swapped shirts with an opponent at half-time.

Montero, 25, exchanged shirts with compatriot Enner Valencia during the interval of Swansea's 3-1 defeat at West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday.

"It's not something I particularly like," Monk said.

"We'll sit down with him and talk to him. It's not a big issue."

Montero joined Swansea on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee from Mexican club Monarcas Morelia in July after representing his country at the World Cup finals.

Swapping shirts is usually reserved for the end of a match, not at half-time, although it has occurred among some of the Premier League's foreign players in recent seasons.

Andre Santos angered Arsenal fans when he exchanged shirts with Manchester United's Robin van Persie as the sides left the field during the interval at Old Trafford in November 2012.

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli was criticised by his manager Brendan Rodgers after swapping shirts with Real Madrid's Pepe at half-time in the 3-0 Champions League defeat in October.

It is believed Balotelli was fined by Liverpool and although Monk did not suggest Montero would be disciplined by Swansea, he said the player would be spoken to.

"It's a different culture, but we'll speak with Jeff," Monk added.

"He's a great lad and not a disrespectful lad at all, but I'll have to explain to him the situation and what the shirt is thought of in British football.

"But there's no problem whatsoever."

Top scorer Wilfried Bony had put Monk's team ahead but two headed goals from Andy Carroll put the West Ham in control.

Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski was shown a red card for a professional foul on Diafra Sakho, who sealed victory for the Hammers late on.

Monk was unhappy with his team's performance at Upton Park, especially after the midweek home win over Queens Park Rangers.

"You look at all of the away games and we've competed for 90 minutes and [West Ham] was the first time we didn't compete for the full 90 minutes," Monk said.

"To go from a complete on Tuesday to probably the most opposite performance we've had this season, that's what's disappointing.

"But we'll make sure we react in the next game."

Swansea, eighth in the Premier League, host Tottenham Hotspur at the Liberty Stadium next Sunday.