ROBERTO Martinez believes it is "very unlikely" that Lee Trundle will ever play for Swansea City again.

Trundle, a modern-day legend at the Liberty Stadium, told the

last week that he would love to have a second stint at the club.

But Martinez has played down the chances of the Scouse striker returning because Swansea have moved on since he left for Bristol City 13 months ago.

The Swansea manager fought tooth and nail to fend off the Robins' interest on the eve of last season but eventually accepted a £1million bid after Trundle handed in a transfer request.

But while the former fans' favourite struggled to make a mark at Ashton Gate, Martinez's men put the loss of their star player behind them to storm into the Championship.

"Lee had to make a decision last year and it was difficult for us at the time," the Spaniard said.

"The players who were still here had to react and they have now taken the club forward.

"It's always nice when former players have nice things to say about their old club.

"First it confirms a little bit of what we have said before, that we can take for granted what we have got at Swansea City. And second it shows the human side of Lee Trundle. He has been a special player for this club and he will always be a special person in everyone's hearts.

"But he had to make a decision, with the right or wrong advice, and we had to move on.

"It's hard to tell these things, but I think it's very unlikely that Lee will play for Swansea again.

"There are many factors — financial reasons, the strikers we have got — which make it difficult to see it happening."

With four centre-forwards in his squad, Martinez is not in the market for another frontman right now.

Even if he were, Trundle would probably be out of Swansea's reach because of the bumper contract he left Wales for.

"In an ideal world you look to be romantic about it, but when Trunds left it was for financial reasons which haven't changed," Martinez added. "I look back at the legends of this club like Alan Curtis and Leighton James and I think Lee is in that area with them. But he had to make a decision and our players had to take responsibility.

"They deserve respect for that and the players we have now are in front of anyone else."

Some might argue Trundle only spoke of a return to Swansea because things have not gone his way across the Bridge.

Trundle, who will be 32 next month, scored only six goals in his debut Bristol season and is yet to make a league appearance this term.

Already behind Nicky Maynard, Dele Adebola and Steve Brooker in the pecking order, Trundle saw his hopes of first-team action diminish further this week when Gary Johnson snapped up non-league prospect John Akinde.

"Lee is probably not enjoying his football at the moment, but he is a special player and I'm sure he will turn the corner very soon," reckoned Martinez. "I hope he can turn his personal situation around very quickly and be a big player for Bristol City."

Gareth Vincent