Swansea consider Vangelis Moras permanent deal
Last updated on .From the section Football
Brendan Rodgers has bemoaned Swansea City's "unique" defensive crisis as the manager considers offering Greece international Vangelis Moras a deal.
Wales international Ashley Williams is Swansea's only fully fit centre-back as captain Garry Monk is playing despite suffering a long-standing foot trouble.
Steven Caulker and Alan Tate are long term injury absentees so Rodgers has given centre-back Moras a trial.
"Until some injuries clear up, we must look at some cover," said Rodgers.
"We are in quite a unique situation as we only have one fully fit centre half.
"The injuries to our very small squad are very, very difficult.
"And as you can imagine, players that are out of contract at this time of year, are out for a reason.
"But he [Moras] was one of four players that were in our thinking."
Hungarian international Zoltan Liptak was another in Rodgers' mind but the Premier League newcomers decided against offering him a deal.
Liptak and Moras were centre-back partners in Swansea's 5-3 reserve team defeat against Newcastle United at Llanelli on Wednesday.
Liptak, a 6ft 4in defender, had been on trial at Swansea since his release from Hungarian league side Videoton but Rodgers released him on Thursday.
Moras, however, remained at the Welsh club as Rodgers considered his options.
The 15-times capped Greek international left Italian Serie A side Bologna after four years in the summer and could bolster Rodgers' stretched backline.
Fifa refused international clearance to complete the transfers of Darnell Situ and Rafik Halliche during the summer transfer window, so the Swans are now only able to reinforce the squad with free agents.
"Moras has good experience and has played in Italy for the last four years regularly," said Rodgers.
"He understands how we play, he is 30 years of age and I like his personality.
"I thought he did well in the reserve game the other night considering he had only trained one day with us and last played in June.
"I feel once he is up to speed and fully fit, he could adapt. There were parts of his game I liked."
