Leeds United Football Club - Boss On Striker Rumour
Boss On Striker Rumour
Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell has played down reports he is chasing Preston striker David Healy - but did admit he would sign him if given the chance.
The Northern Ireland international is out of contract at the end of the season at Deepdale, and has reportedly turned down Preston's latest contract offer and is looking at options elsewhere.
A former Manchester United youngster, the 25-year-old has scored 43 goals in 117 starts for Preston, but Blackwell said he had not looked at the player as Leeds immediate solution to their goalscoring problems.
"David is a player I admire but there are many other players I admire," said Blackwell.
"He is a proven international player, a proven goalscorer and a player that if I had the chance to sign, I would be interested in doing so. However, at the moment that is not the case.
"I have not made a specific target of David Healey but if there was ever the chance then I would like to give it a go."
Healy could become a future target but for the moment Blackwell is urging supporters not to get too carried away when they read about players being linked to the club.
"Players are hyped to be sold and the best way of doing that is by saying Leeds are interested in them.
All of a sudden that opens up a load of clubs because most clubs do respect the staff I have got here and if we earmark a player then they must think we think he's good. If that's the case then they tend to jump on the bandwagon.
"Five clubs came in after I declared an interest in Sean Gregan."
Meanwhile, the boss confirmed he was looking to get another month's extension to Brett Ormerod's loan spell at Elland Road.
Ormerod joined on a one month loan deal and in a similar position to the one that faced Leeds with Arsenal's Jermaine Pennant last season, will have to rely on Southampton's good will to agree to the loan being extended month after month.
"I am hoping that we can keep that review going for the next couple of months because I did not bring Brett here for a month,
"I want him for longer than that but it's how Southampton want to play the situation and I am happy to do so."
Boss On Striker Rumour
Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell has played down reports he is chasing Preston striker David Healy - but did admit he would sign him if given the chance.
The Northern Ireland international is out of contract at the end of the season at Deepdale, and has reportedly turned down Preston's latest contract offer and is looking at options elsewhere.
A former Manchester United youngster, the 25-year-old has scored 43 goals in 117 starts for Preston, but Blackwell said he had not looked at the player as Leeds immediate solution to their goalscoring problems.
"David is a player I admire but there are many other players I admire," said Blackwell.
"He is a proven international player, a proven goalscorer and a player that if I had the chance to sign, I would be interested in doing so. However, at the moment that is not the case.
"I have not made a specific target of David Healey but if there was ever the chance then I would like to give it a go."
Healy could become a future target but for the moment Blackwell is urging supporters not to get too carried away when they read about players being linked to the club.
"Players are hyped to be sold and the best way of doing that is by saying Leeds are interested in them.
All of a sudden that opens up a load of clubs because most clubs do respect the staff I have got here and if we earmark a player then they must think we think he's good. If that's the case then they tend to jump on the bandwagon.
"Five clubs came in after I declared an interest in Sean Gregan."
Meanwhile, the boss confirmed he was looking to get another month's extension to Brett Ormerod's loan spell at Elland Road.
Ormerod joined on a one month loan deal and in a similar position to the one that faced Leeds with Arsenal's Jermaine Pennant last season, will have to rely on Southampton's good will to agree to the loan being extended month after month.
"I am hoping that we can keep that review going for the next couple of months because I did not bring Brett here for a month,
"I want him for longer than that but it's how Southampton want to play the situation and I am happy to do so."
