ROBERTO Martinez has all but ruled out a return to Swansea City for Lee Trundle.

Unable to break into Bristol City's first team so far this season, the 31-year-old striker was linked with a possible move back to the Liberty Stadium ahead of last week's transfer deadline.

Signed from Swansea for £1 million just over a year ago, Trundle has struggled to hold down a regular first-team place in the Championship and has dropped down the Ashton Gate pecking order since the arrival of Nicky Maynard, from Crewe, and the return to fitness and form of Steve Brooker.

The recruitment of highly-rated teenage forward John Akinde, from Ebbsfleet, last week cast further doubt over Trundle's future, although City boss Gary Johnson moved quickly to suppress mounting speculation surrounding the Scouser.

Johnson categorically denied reports suggesting Trundle was about to return to west Wales, and Swans manager Martinez appears to be singing from the same hymn sheet.

Asked if he was interested in signing Trundle, the Spaniard told the South Wales Evening Post it was "very unlikely" the striker would ever play for Swansea again.

Martinez fought tooth and nail to fend off the Robins' interest on the eve of last season, only to reluctantly accept a £1million bid after Trundle handed in a transfer request.

But Swansea have since stormed to the League One title and Martinez claims the club has moved on.

Martinez said: "Lee had to make a decision last year and it was difficult for us at the time. The players who were still here had to react and they have now taken the club forward.

"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."

He added: "In an ideal world you look to be romantic about it, but when Trunds left it was for financial reasons which haven't changed.

"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."

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.

But City boss Johnson insists all five of his strikers will play a part.

Asked to comment on speculation surrounding a possible return to Swansea for Trundle, the Londoner said: "Of course that wouldn't happen. He's our player now and he's got to wait for his opportunity."