Leeds United are aiming to tie up deal for Zaliukas

YEP 25/10/13
Leeds United were attempting to finalise a second signing in the space of 24 hours today after offering a contract to trialist defender Marius Zaliukas.
The Lithuanian international is weighing up United’s terms and will be in contention to feature in tomorrow’s West Yorkshire derby at Huddersfield Town if he accepts the deal.
Zaliukas, who has been out of contract for several months, joined Leeds on trial last week and played in a development-league fixture between United’s Under-21s and Sheffield Wednesday which ended 3-3 at Thorp Arch on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old has previously rejected offers from Rangers and Queens Park Rangers but United manager Brian McDermott appears confident of securing his signature having initiated contract negotiations with Zaliukas’ representatives.
McDermott made one breakthrough in the transfer market yesterday by securing striker Dexter Blackstock on a three-month loan from Nottingham Forest, and Blackstock will be part of the squad named at Huddersfield.
“We’re trying to do a deal with Marius and we’re close to a contract,” McDermott said. “We’ll hopefully have some news on that today.”
Asked if Zaliukas could be involved tomorrow, the Leeds boss said: “We’ll have to see. Possibly.”
Zaliukas has been limited to appearances for Lithuania’s national side since parting company with Scottish club Hearts in the summer but he turned in a composed performance in the development squad’s draw.
Speaking to the YEP after his outing, Zaliukas said: “Obviously I’m looking forward. (Leeds) are a good place, a good team and a good league. It would be a challenge.
“The type of game here suits me best. I was expecting to be sorted out (with a club) a couple of months ago and my situation is probably talking for itself. It would be good to finish all that.”
Zaliukas is thought to have rejected a contract at QPR due to doubts about his prospects of regular involvement under Harry Redknapp, and the London club filled the defensive vacancy in their squad on Wednesday by signing USA international Oguchi Onyewu.
McDermott is likely to stick with his existing back three of Tom Lees, Scott Wootton and Jason Pearce against Huddersfield but those three players have an average age of 23 and Zaliukas would offer an older alternative to them.
“He’s got experience, he’s tough and strong and for me you always try to build from the back,” McDermott said. “We’re trying to get that part of our team right.
“We’ve got three younger lads who are doing a great job and did a great job against Birmingham last weekend but they’d benefit from having him around.”
United’s boss, meanwhile, refused to shed any further light on the situation surrounding winger Ryan Hall, who Leeds suspended for a breach of discipline on Monday. Hall has been banished from Thorp Arch for up to two weeks on full pay following comments made by him on Twitter last weekend, and the players’ union – the Professional Footballers’ Association – is working to resolve the dispute.
McDermott said: “I can’t really comment. I got a phone call from David Haigh (United’s managing director) regarding that and the club have done what they’ve done. We’ll see what the outcome will be.”

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