LIBERTY stalwart Alan Tate is poised to miss Swansea City's trip to Wembley — because he's on his way to Huddersfield Town.
Tate had hoped to force his way back into Michael Laudrup's plans after returning to Wales following a loan spell with Leeds United last month.
But Swansea's long-standing vice-captain is now understood to be heading back to Yorkshire for a second loan stint in the Championship.
Even with Chico Flores out injured, Tate is struggling to get a look-in at Swansea with Ashley Williams, Garry Monk and Kyle Bartley all ahead of him in the pecking order for a place in central defence.
The 30-year-old has two-and-a-half years to run on his Swansea contract and told the Post recently of his desire to fight for a place at the club he has served for more than a decade.
But it seems Tate will take the chance to go and play some more football in the second tier under Mark Robins.
The new Huddersfield manager is keen for reinforcements after seeing his team concede ten goals in his first two games in charge.
"We have the ability to do something, but it's just about finding the right ones — ones who will make a difference at this stage of the season," said Robins.
"We have to make sure if we do something it is for the benefit of everybody."
Robins's Huddersfield side are just two points above the Championship relegation zone going into tomorrow's home game with Ipswich.
If an emergency loan deal is completed in time, Tate could go straight into the side for that game.
Tate played 11 times for Leeds after joining them on loan in November, but returned to Swansea because the Elland Road club wanted to use their transfer funds to strengthen other areas of their squad.
He made four appearances for Swansea in the first few weeks of the season, but has not featured under Laudrup since the 3-0 home humbling by Everton back in September.
The Swansea boss is willing to let Tate leave despite the fact that Flores could be out for up to six more weeks with the ankle ligament injury picked up against Queens Park Rangers a fortnight ago.
Gareth Vincent
