EXCLUSIVE | The Reds are set to add some much-needed defensive depth alongside Dylan McGowan and Iacopo La Rocca

Adelaide United have made an offer for former Newcastle Jets captain Taylor Regan on an injury-replacement contract to cover Jordan Elsey.

Goal Australia understands the 27-year-old central defender is weighing up a one-season deal with the Reds, with a cryptic tweet from Regan indicating he is seriously considering an A-League return.

Big decisions need to be made.

Listen to the head or the heart.

What to do....... — Taylor Regan (@taylorreegs) September 27, 2016

Regan, who has spent the 2016 season with Negeri Sembilan in the Malaysian Premier League, has only previously played in the A-League for his hometown club Newcastle.

Elsey ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee earlier this month and is set to miss the entire season.

The 22-year-old's injury leaves Adelaide coach Guillermo Amor with just two natural centre-backs - Dylan McGowan and Iacopo La Rocca - ahead of the 2016-17 season.

Adelaide will start their defence of the A-League double with a trip to Newcastle Jets on October 9.

Regan, who made 68 A-League appearances for the Jets between 2010 and 2015, has been playing in Malaysia since this year.

The Newcastle-born defender has played 27 matches for Negeri Sembilan in the Malaysian second tier, helping them to fifth in the table with one game remaining in the 2016 season.