Swansea City boss Brendan Rodgers denies Angel Rangel's late withdrawal before their defeat at Hull City was due to a possible move to Blackpool.The Spanish right-back is wanted by the Premier League new boys and he has given the Swans an indication that he would welcome a top-flight chance.
But Rodgers insists a niggle forced him out rather than protecting him ahead of a possible switch to Bloomfield Road.
"Blackpool are obviously speaking to the chairman and the board, " he said.
"But as far as I'm concerned, he's a Swansea player, he is a good professional and committed.
"It is just unfortunate that sometimes you take a knock and it wasn't worth the risk."
Rangel was initially named in Swansea's starting XI at the KC Stadium but pulled-out 10 minutes before kick-off in a game that the visitors went on to lose 2-0.
Rangel first suffered his thigh "niggle" on Swansea's pre-season tour to the Netherlands and was "in and out" in training in the build-up to their Championship opener against a team who are seeking an immediate return to the Premier League.
Brendan Rodgers has faith in Swansea team despite their defeat at Hull City
The 27-year-old defender, who is subject of an apparent £750,000 bid from Blackpool, has told Swansea he wants to star in the top-flight.
And Rangel's agent Xavi Cruz told South Wales Evening Post recently: "It is the chance for Angel to fulfil his dream, which is to play in the Premier League. Angel wants to be in the Premier League as soon as possible."
So Rangel, who was wanted by Premier League Fulham in January but the Swans rejected an apparent £1m offer, could have left the Liberty Stadium before the 31 August transfer deadline.
But Rodgers insists there was no ulterior motive when Rangel was withdrawn from the Swansea team at the KC Stadium at the 11th hour to be replaced by Albert Serran.
"He was warming up and in the team to play," reminded Rodgers.
"But he's just had a niggle and came in and I have to take advice from the medical people here and do we risk maybe losing him? Because at the moment he is a Swansea player.
"I've got to make a decision do I start him and it becomes worse? Or do I rest him and hopefully in the next 48 hours it clears up - I chose the latter.
Angel Rangel has been a model pro since the day he joined us as he mixes with the fans and always has time for the kids
milkymilman
Rangel has a year left on his current deal and was the subject of a failed bid by Fulham in January and Rodgers has already expressed his hope of keeping the player.
He missed a 9-1 pre-season friendly win over Dutch side VC Sparta, then appeared in their 1-0 defeat at Den Haag.
Rangel has been with Swansea since the summer of 2007 after joining from Spanish side Terrassa for a fee believed to be in the region of £15,000 and made 121 league appearances.
But in January, he hit out at chairman Huw Jenkins claiming he was denied the chance to join Fulham saying in an interview that he was "disappointed" and felt like Jenkins had "stopped me improving my career."
A month later, Rangel extended his contract until 2011 after triggering an appearance clause.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport