His club has struggled to find goals in the Pre-Season Cup and went five competitive games without scoring between April and August.

Zdrilic was widely blamed for squandering his scoring opportunities in front of goal but so far Sydney haven't found anyone to take his place in attack.

But the rumoured move on Brazilian striker Patrick da Silva could finally give Sydney coach Branko Culina an alternative option upfront.

Now he's planning to move Zdrilic into defence to prop up his injury-plagued backline.

Zdrilic originally started out as a defender under Culina at Sydney United 10 years ago and re-appeared in the position in Sydney's recent friendly against Manly.

"One thing I always look at is versatility, it's so important in the modern game," Culina told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"I know David can play at the back - he's aggressive, he's reasonable in the air, and he can see the game in front of him.

"He's definitely someone who could slot in [in defence], and I wouldn't rule it out."