Roberto Di Matteo has confirmed for the first time that he’s hoping to bring Romanian international Gabriel Tamas to The Hawthorns. The 44-times capped defender is just one of a number of defenders Di Matteo is considering to bring in as back-up for Abdoulaye Meite when he departs for the African Cup of Nations after the Peterborough United game on Boxing Day (KO 3pm).
Tamas has spent the past two seasons on loan at Dinamo Bucharest from his parent club Auxerre and has featured for Galatasary, Spartak Moscow and Celta Vigo. The 6ft 2in central defender also represented his country at the 2008 European Championships.
Meite’s early departure means Albion will have only three fit central defenders at the club – Jonas Olsson, Shelton Martis and Gonzalo Jara – however Roberto Di Matteo has ruled out recalling Leon Barnett from his loan spell at Coventry.
"We probably won't bring him back," said the Italian.
"I think he's happy where he is.
"He is playing week in, week out and I don't think he wants to come back and not play.
"Abou is going to leave for the African Nations Cup after the Boxing Day game so we have been looking to bring in another central defender.
"We need cover there because we are light in that position.
"He (Tamas) is one of the options but there are a number of players we are talking to."