Cardiff City Neil Harris was forced to leave Neil Etheridge out of his team on Sunday due to transfer speculation linking him with West Ham.
The Hammers are in the market for a new goalkeeper after Lukasz Fabianski was forced off against Sheffield United.
The Polish goalkeeper missed a large chunk of the season with a hip problem earlier in the season and appeared to aggravate that at Bramall Lane as he was forced off.
David Martin, aged 35, was brought on and was at fault for United's winning goal, whilst Roberto has endured a tough life to start at West Ham.
As a result, a goalkeeper is at the top of David Moyes' shopping list this month and the club have been heavily linked with Etheridge as well as Middlesbrough shot-stopper Darren Randolph.
While the Boro goalkeeper is injured, Harris admitted he was forced to bring Etheridge out of the firing line for their South Wales derby against Swansea City.
"A couple of things really, firstly we've changed shape, we played 3-4-3 at QPR and it didn't work for us so a personnel change because in our last league game it was a poor showing from us, I felt like we needed a few changes," Harris told Sky Sports ahead of kick-off.
"With the goalkeeper, there has been a lot of speculation around Neil (Etheridge). There has been a lot of talk in the press about him moving on this week and it's just a change to give Alex (Smithies) an opportunity, who has been very patient and good over a number of years in the Championship.
"Also, it's just giving Neil an opportunity to come out of the firing line because of the speculation around him."
