BRENDAN Rodgers has hailed Henri Lansbury as "a terrific talent" as the Arsenal starlet closes on a move to Swansea City.

The Swansea manager reckons Lansbury has the quality to make a mark at the Emirates later in his career.

But Rodgers admits the 19-year-old's loan switch to the Liberty is a chance for Swansea to sell themselves in case he ends up leaving London on a full-time basis.

"Henri is a wonderful young player who did well in the Championship last season," he said. "To get a terrific talent like him into our group will be fantastic for us.

"He is very highly thought of at Arsenal and one thing you know with Arsene Wenger is that he will give young players an opportunity.

"If Arsenal feel he is one for the future, I'm sure he will be around at the club for a few years.

"The worst-case scenario is that there comes a point in a player's career where he has to look elsewhere.

"We have seen that with Scott Sinclair, and over the next couple of years Henri will have to see if he feels he is going to get a chance at Arsenal. If he does not, he may then have to find a home somewhere else."

Lansbury's base until at least January is Swansea, and Rodgers believes the Londoner will soon grow to like his new surroundings.

"These players coming on loan don't know what a beautiful area Swansea is," he added.

"I have got a very good sense of what the Welsh people are like over the last four or five weeks and I can see that it's a fantastic place to work and live.

"We want to be able to convince good players to come here and loan moves help us.

"Once players arrive, they see the beauty that's here, the support and the players we have, and I think the decision is made."

Lansbury could extend his spell with Swansea until the end of the season if things go well over the next five months.

The England Under-21 international, who has five Arsenal appearances to his name, has thrived in previous loan stints at Scunthorpe and Watford.

And Rodgers reckons Lansbury's attitude is the key to the success he has enjoyed.

"We want to bring in very good players, but we also want players with the right personality," he said.

"Even though he is coming in on loan, Henri is the type of boy who will adapt and throw himself into life at the club.

"Some players just see a loan somewhere as a loan and nothing more, but the boys who are educated at big clubs are very professional and know they are coming for a purpose."

Rodgers revealed that he is not keen on building a squad packed with borrowed players.

But with West Ham's Frank Nouble still a target, the former Reading boss concedes that a sprinkling of loan stars can have a positive impact.

"I don't want many because I want players who are signed up to this club," Rodgers added. "But if there's an opportunity to get one, two or a maximum three players on loan who can add something to the group, we will look at that."

Lansbury is not available for tonight's Carling Cup trip to Tranmere as the paperwork on his move was still to be completed last night.

But Swansea hope the deal will be tied up today, meaning he will be free to debut in Saturday's Championship clash with Brian Laws's Burnley.