Leeds Today: "NEW FACES
Blackwell on the lookout
BY PAUL DEWS
LEEDS UNITED boss Kevin Blackwell today vowed to continue his summer recruitment drive.
Blackwell's eight new signings were on show at Thorp Arch for the start of pre-season training but the manager insists his shopping is far from over.
With Mark Viduka set to join Middlesbrough and Stephen McPhail heading to Barnsley, Blackwell has additional funds for wages and the Leeds manager's position will again be boosted by any further departures.
Said Blackwell: 'I'm still hoping to bring in more players. Some of what we can do depends on other deals being done, but I'm looking around and have a few irons in the fire.
'I'm still looking for a couple of left-sided players and I feel we need to have more strength in depth in the squad.
'Last season we looked around at the subs bench at times and we didn't have the players you could bring on to change a game.
'I don't want to be in that position again. I still feel we need another four or five players to come into the club, but I won't be rushing into anything.
'If we can get the right players in then we will better equipped.'
Blackwell is staying tight-lipped over his targets, but goalkeepers Steve Simonsen and Ian Bennett are being linked with Leeds.Simonsen is out of contract at Everton while the vastly experienced Bennett is available on a free transfer from Birmingham City.
The United boss is also on the hunt for an additional striker to increase competition for places and is hoping to further strengthen his midfield.
United chiefs were aiming to slash the wage bill by �18m and they have now achieved their goal.
That amount - now standing at �20m - will fall even further if skipper Dominic Matteo completes his protracted move to Blackburn Rovers.
The new board have given Blackwell licence to continue his search for players, although any cash transfers will be dependent on what other deals are done.
The potential sale of James Milner to Newcastle would raise cash to re-invest, but the teenager is training with Leeds and is staying focused on giving his all to his hometown club.
Blackwell on the lookout
BY PAUL DEWS
LEEDS UNITED boss Kevin Blackwell today vowed to continue his summer recruitment drive.
Blackwell's eight new signings were on show at Thorp Arch for the start of pre-season training but the manager insists his shopping is far from over.
With Mark Viduka set to join Middlesbrough and Stephen McPhail heading to Barnsley, Blackwell has additional funds for wages and the Leeds manager's position will again be boosted by any further departures.
Said Blackwell: 'I'm still hoping to bring in more players. Some of what we can do depends on other deals being done, but I'm looking around and have a few irons in the fire.
'I'm still looking for a couple of left-sided players and I feel we need to have more strength in depth in the squad.
'Last season we looked around at the subs bench at times and we didn't have the players you could bring on to change a game.
'I don't want to be in that position again. I still feel we need another four or five players to come into the club, but I won't be rushing into anything.
'If we can get the right players in then we will better equipped.'
Blackwell is staying tight-lipped over his targets, but goalkeepers Steve Simonsen and Ian Bennett are being linked with Leeds.Simonsen is out of contract at Everton while the vastly experienced Bennett is available on a free transfer from Birmingham City.
The United boss is also on the hunt for an additional striker to increase competition for places and is hoping to further strengthen his midfield.
United chiefs were aiming to slash the wage bill by �18m and they have now achieved their goal.
That amount - now standing at �20m - will fall even further if skipper Dominic Matteo completes his protracted move to Blackburn Rovers.
The new board have given Blackwell licence to continue his search for players, although any cash transfers will be dependent on what other deals are done.
The potential sale of James Milner to Newcastle would raise cash to re-invest, but the teenager is training with Leeds and is staying focused on giving his all to his hometown club.
