Sheffield Wednesday: Garry Monk looking forward to locking horns with close friend Adebayo Akinfenwa

Garry Monk is looking forward to running into an old friend at Wycombe’s Adams Park this weekend – though, he’ll hope, not literally.
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Man mountain Chairboys centre-forward Adebayo Akinfenwa, known as the strongest player in the world due to his FIFA attribute rating, is a former teammate of Monk’s at Swansea having spent two seasons there from 2005 to 2007.

His charismatic approach to television work has made him a cult hero and an emerging force in football media.

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“He’s a fantastic person,” Monk said when asked about the man he knows as ‘Big B’. “I’m good friends with Bayo, we’ve known each other for a long time. He’s a larger than life character, he’s had an exceptional career and he’s an exceptional person.

“It’ll be good to see him at the weekend, but only afterwards.”

Akinfenwa, 38, is not expected to start but could come off the bench against a makeshift Owls defence. He will be hoping to get one over on his old mate and put five points between his side and bottom club Wednesday.

Having started out playing in Lithuania and battling from non-league football to become Wycombe’s all-time leading league scorer, the forward is now busy forging himself a promising career in the media.

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Monk said: “He’s obviously had a career where he’s had to fight for it, he’s been through an awful lot of experience and he’s making a life for himself afterwards, you can see that with his personality, the media avenue that he’s going down.

Adebayo Akinfenwa spent two years as Garry Monk's teammate at Swansea City.Adebayo Akinfenwa spent two years as Garry Monk's teammate at Swansea City.
Adebayo Akinfenwa spent two years as Garry Monk's teammate at Swansea City.

“I’m delighted for him, he’s a fantastic guy and he deserves all his success.”

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