SWINDON Town have handed defender Simone Materazzi a short-term trial at their training camp in Italy.

The 20-year-old, a half-brother of former Italian international Marco Materazzi, met up with the squad at their base on the banks of Lake Garda yesterday and will remain with the Robins for four or five days.

Materazzi was suggested to Town boss Paolo Di Canio by ex-Lazio player Paolo Negro, who managed the youngster during his three months in charge of Zagarolo in Italy’s Serie D last season.

Di Canio stressed that it was worth taking a look at Materazzi not simply because of his surname but because he comes highly recommended by a man the Swindon manager respects within the game.

“We’ll check because it doesn’t cost anything to us and Paolo Negro, a former Lazio player, was the manager and he mentioned his name,” he said.

“Not because he is Materazzi’s brother or (Giuseppe) Materazzi’s son, because his father was an esteemed manager, but because he said he’s young, he wants to learn and improve, he’s a hard-working guy and it doesn’t cost anything to try.

“I believe in Paolo Negro.

“It’s not a promise but I said ‘let me check’.

“He’s a young guy, a defender in Blue Conference level in Italy.

“He used to play as a centre-half but he’s not very tall. He’s also a right-back.”

Di Canio also made the point that Swindon are in a no-lose situation taking on Materazzi, and he did not want to run the risk of turning down the chance to uncover a gem.

“It doesn’t cost us one pound and he’s here for three, four or five days. If it works, great, if it doesn’t work I will say thank you and all the best,” he said.

“I think that will be the plan for the future.

“If someone gives me advice about some players we don’t know exactly, if I trust this guy we can try to bring one player and check if they are okay if it doesn’t cost anything to the club.

“It’s important that it doesn’t cost anything to anyone.”