Yorkshire Evening Post 26/8/06
United aim to net loan ranger
by Phil HayLeeds United boss Kevin Blackwell is poised to return to the loan market after confirming midfielder Steve Stone will be out of action for six weeks.Stone received a minor reprieve
yesterday when the results of hospital scans displayed a torn abductor muscle rather than a damaged groin, halving his predicted recovery period, but his injury has significantly weakened a small Elland Road squad.Stone, who limped off against Cardiff last weekend, is one of three long-term absentees, along with Richard Cresswell and Kevin Nicholls, and Blackwell's squad may be trimmed further if the club decide to return goalkeeper Tony Warner to Fulham after his month-long loan.Warner's deal will end after United's clash with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough tomorrow, and Leeds were expected to rule on his future today. Initial indications, however, suggest Warner will rejoin his parent club next week.Blackwell has identified other potential loan signings in the event that injuries bite deeper into his squad, and United's scouting staff are likely to spend the international break strengthening his options.The transfer window closes on Thursday evening, but United's boss is not expected to be provided with funds to complete any permanent deals. New loan arrivals at Elland Road, however, will rely heavily on the goodwill and willingness of Premiership clubs to release their peripheral players.Blackwell said: "There will have to be some sort of movement because we haven't got the numbers. It's inevitable that there will be loans throughout the season, but we'll only do it when it's right to do so."Stone, meanwhile, is aiming for an October comeback having originally feared that he would be out until December.Blackwell said: "Stone has a torn abductor muscle which is better than we'd hoped."
Leedsunited.com 25/8/06
BETTER THAN EXPECTED
United manager Kevin Blackwell has received confirmation that Steve Stone's groin injury isn't as bad as first feared.
The United boss was expecting his veteran midfielder to be sidelined for between two to three months, but he could be back in the fray within the next six weeks.
The manager said: "Steve has torn an abductor muscle. It's fair to say it's better than we expected.
"He could have been out for a few months, but hopefully this will be around six weeks so from that point of view it's good news."
Steve joins a lengthy casualty list at the club, but the manager firmly believes that, when his walking wounded slowly start returning, he has a squad capable of exciting.
"We have a very strong group of players here and that's what excites me," said the boss.
"We'll go with 17 senior players on Sunday, but when you look at who's got to come in over the next few weeks or so...if you add them to any team, you will be strong.
"I expect we'll be more than okay."Kevin Nicholls (knee), Richard Cresswell (knee), Gylfi Einarsson (hip), and Geoff Horsfield (suspended) are all missing Sunday's derby trip to Sheffield Wednesday.
United aim to net loan ranger
by Phil HayLeeds United boss Kevin Blackwell is poised to return to the loan market after confirming midfielder Steve Stone will be out of action for six weeks.Stone received a minor reprieve
yesterday when the results of hospital scans displayed a torn abductor muscle rather than a damaged groin, halving his predicted recovery period, but his injury has significantly weakened a small Elland Road squad.Stone, who limped off against Cardiff last weekend, is one of three long-term absentees, along with Richard Cresswell and Kevin Nicholls, and Blackwell's squad may be trimmed further if the club decide to return goalkeeper Tony Warner to Fulham after his month-long loan.Warner's deal will end after United's clash with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough tomorrow, and Leeds were expected to rule on his future today. Initial indications, however, suggest Warner will rejoin his parent club next week.Blackwell has identified other potential loan signings in the event that injuries bite deeper into his squad, and United's scouting staff are likely to spend the international break strengthening his options.The transfer window closes on Thursday evening, but United's boss is not expected to be provided with funds to complete any permanent deals. New loan arrivals at Elland Road, however, will rely heavily on the goodwill and willingness of Premiership clubs to release their peripheral players.Blackwell said: "There will have to be some sort of movement because we haven't got the numbers. It's inevitable that there will be loans throughout the season, but we'll only do it when it's right to do so."Stone, meanwhile, is aiming for an October comeback having originally feared that he would be out until December.Blackwell said: "Stone has a torn abductor muscle which is better than we'd hoped."Leedsunited.com 25/8/06
BETTER THAN EXPECTED
United manager Kevin Blackwell has received confirmation that Steve Stone's groin injury isn't as bad as first feared.
The United boss was expecting his veteran midfielder to be sidelined for between two to three months, but he could be back in the fray within the next six weeks.
The manager said: "Steve has torn an abductor muscle. It's fair to say it's better than we expected.
"He could have been out for a few months, but hopefully this will be around six weeks so from that point of view it's good news."
Steve joins a lengthy casualty list at the club, but the manager firmly believes that, when his walking wounded slowly start returning, he has a squad capable of exciting.
"We have a very strong group of players here and that's what excites me," said the boss.
"We'll go with 17 senior players on Sunday, but when you look at who's got to come in over the next few weeks or so...if you add them to any team, you will be strong.
"I expect we'll be more than okay."Kevin Nicholls (knee), Richard Cresswell (knee), Gylfi Einarsson (hip), and Geoff Horsfield (suspended) are all missing Sunday's derby trip to Sheffield Wednesday.