Healy delay sees striker search widen - Yorkshire Post 23/10/04

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Yorkshire Post Today: News, Sport, Jobs, Property, Cars, Entertainments & More Healy delay sees striker search widenRichard Sutcliffe KEVIN BLACKWELL does not intend increasing Leeds United's bid for David Healy but has stressed the offer remains on the table for the Preston North End striker. United have offered an initial £300,000 that could eventually double, depending on appearances, goals and Leeds achieving success. Preston turned down the bid but with Healy's contract due to run out next summer his value is dropping on a daily basis and North End will soon have to decide whether they can risk the Northern Ireland international leaving for nothing in the summer. Leeds have been caught in a similar situation to the one facing Preston, Lee Bowyer being offloaded for a paltry £100,000 in January 2003 just five months after Liverpool had bid £9m for the midfielder. Blackwell believes the offer represents a fair valuation for the 25-year-old and said: "At the moment, we do not intend increasing the bid. It is still there for Preston to look at and we feel it is very fair. It is dragging on and we have to start looking at other players." Blackburn's Matt Jansen has been linked with a short-term loan switch to Leeds but Mark Hughes is unlikely to release the striker who came off the bench for the final 13 minutes of Saturday's 4-0 home defeat to Middlesbrough. Healy, who scored in Preston's 2-1 victory over QPR on Tuesday, remains Blackwell's main target and is understood to be keen on a move to Leeds. Despite that, North End manager Billy Davies is still hoping the striker can be persuaded to stay at Deepdale. He said: "David has decisions to make regarding his future but we are just hoping that we can keep hold of him because he is a top striker. "It was a great finish (against QPR). I thought the crowd got behind him and were great. They know the situation and they know David has done wonderful things for this club." Brett Ormerod's return to Southampton on Sunday after a one-month loan spell means Blackwell's striking options will be seriously reduced. Michael Ricketts has started the last two games but still appears to lack the sharpness that earned him an England cap just two years ago while Brian Deane and Julian Joachim have just one goal between them all season. Blackwell spent yesterday scouring the transfer market to try to bolster a squad that is now down to just 16 fit players. The Leeds manager said: "We are looking around but again it is all to do with money and finances. Losing Brett will be a blow because we not only need his ability but also his experience. I didn't expect Brett to play at Reading because he suffered a horrendous calf injury against Preston. "It shows the sort of man he is. He knows he is going back to Southampton on Sunday but he was still prepared to play through the pain barrier at Reading. His experience is invaluable. I have a young side at the moment, at Reading our 'engine room' included Frazer Richardson, Danny Pugh and Simon Walton. They are all still on a steep learning curve but physically and mentally they gave me everything against a much more experienced Reading midfield." Ormerod's departure should free up some wages while savings have been made by loaning out six players – Michael Duberry (Stoke), Simon Johnson (Sunderland), Jamie McMaster (Swindon), Andy Keogh (Scunthorpe), Henry McStay (Halifax Town) and Martin Woods (Hartlepool). McMaster is, however, due back at Leeds on Monday and will at least bring some competition to the squad.

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