Swansea manager Garry Monk has hailed his dynamic defensive pairing of Ashley Williams and Federico Fernandez.

The Wales captain and the Argentine international have struck up a formidable centre-back partnership over the past year and Monk, a former central defender himself, says it gives Swansea a terrific base to work from.

Swansea have had a great start to the season and their defence has let in just five goals in as many games, although they lost to Watford last time out.

Monk claims his defective duo are amongst the best in the country at the minute.

“I think Ash and Fede are one of the best partnerships in the league at this moment,” Monk said.

“But Ash has got to be up there in the top three or four centre-backs in the league the way he plays, contributes in every game and leads the group.

“The bit that’s most pleasing for any defender is how consistent you are, not only in terms of the amount of games played but also the level of performance.

“Ash can be really proud of that as its hardest thing for any defender to be that consistent and, hopefully, he can play game after game and lead Swansea for a long time.”

The Swans have a chance to get back to winning ways this weekend with a home clash against Everton, managed by former boss Roberto Martinez.

A Swansea win is 2.30, the draw is 3.30 and a victory for the visitors is 3.25.