Nottingham Forest are taking a look at free-agent defender Loris Benito, Nottinghamshire Live has confirmed.
The Switzerland performer has been without a club since leaving Bordeaux in August.
Since then he’s been training with FC Aarau in his how country. Now he’s undergoing a trial period at the City Ground.
Benito, 29, was part of the Switzerland squad that enjoyed a run to the quarter-final of Euro 2020 during the summer.
He’s played 13 times for his country, scoring once and has played club football for Young Boys, FC Zurich, Aarau and Benfica as well as Bordeaux.
Benito played 62 minutes of Bordeaux’s first game of the season as Clermont Foot beat them 2-0.
He was released at the end of August, however, and has been on the lookout for a new club ever since.
Benito is a versatile performer and can operate at left-back, centre-back or on the left-hand side of midfield.
Forest had Tobias Figueiredo as their only defensive option on the bench yesterday. Defenders though are in pretty short supply at the City Ground.
Benito could get a run out with the under-23s tomorrow night when Forest travel to Burnley.
Options: Benito would be ideal short-term signing for Forest
With Max Lowe, Loic Mbe Soh and Rodrigo Ely all on the treatment table, the Reds are short of options at full-back and centre-back.
As a result, landing Benito makes perfect sense even if it’s only on a deal until the end of the campaign.
The Switzerland international would provide competition for a number of positions and his experience could be vital in a young squad.
The Reds have a busy winter period on the horizon and one more injury at the back could be seriously detrimental to Forest.
With that in mind, Cooper might be wise to get Benito snapped up.