Yorkshire Post 10/1/08
Leeds trying to fill defensive hole by bringing in Kenton
By Richard Sutcliffe
LEEDS UNITED want to sign Leicester City defender Darren Kenton on loan to plug the gap left by Rui Marques's African Nations Cup call-up.
The Elland Road club must do without the highly-rated Angolan for several weeks so Dennis Wise wants to bolster his options at the back with just Paul Huntington and Matt Heath being available for Monday's trip to Crewe Alexandra.
Marques, who has been an ever-present in League One this term, could be away for up to seven games and the United manager admitted his interest in Bolton Wanderers defender Lubomir Michalik ahead of the transfer window opening 10 days ago.
However, the Yorkshire Post understands that Wise has this week approached Foxes manager Ian Holloway over a possible loan move for Kenton and is now awaiting a response from the East Midlands club.
The 29-year-old has made 14 appearances this season but was substituted at half-time in last Saturday's FA Cup defeat at Southampton.
Kenton started his career with Norwich and made 172 league appearances during a seven-year spell before moving to Premier League Southampton in the summer of 2003. Three years later, he joined Leicester on a free transfer after impressing during a two-month loan spell at the Walkers Stadium the previous season.
Kenton can play anywhere along the back four and has even deputised at times in midfield this season for Foxes captain Stephen Clemence.
The London-born defender could, however, become part of the clearout promised by Holloway following his side's FA Cup exit. The Foxes manager promised after that defeat to field a "brand new" team for Saturday's match with Coventry City and has so far been as good as his word with no less than five signings in line to make their home debuts against the Sky Blues.
That could work in Leeds' favour as Wise looks to bolster his own options ahead of Monday's trip to Gresty Road.
One player who should be involved for Leeds against Crewe is Peter Sweeney with the Stoke City winger expected to this morning finally complete his switch to Elland Road for a nominal fee.
The 23-year-old agreed personal terms with United after meeting them over the weekend and underwent his medical yesterday afternoon. Sweeney, who played for Wise at Millwall, is expected to return to Thorp Arch today to sign the contract. He spent time on loan with Walsall earlier this season and impressed in last month's 1-1 draw with United.
Providing the deal is completed, the wide man will become Leeds' third signing in four days. Neil Kilkenny joined on an emergency loan from Birmingham City before the weekend win over Northampton and made the deal permanent on Monday. Bradley Johnson followed suit on Tuesday in a £250,000 switch from Northampton Town with the midfielder expected to join Kilkenny and Sweeney in the squad to face Crewe next week in front of the live Sky Television cameras. United are also understood to remain keen on Walsall left-back Daniel Fox despite having a £250,000 bid turned down late last year.
Wise was given a further boost yesterday when Jonny Howson made his first appearance for the reserves since being stretchered off against Swansea City on December 29.
Leedsunited.com 10/1/08
SWEENEY'S DELIGHT
Midfielder Peter Sweeney was delighted to finalise his move to Leeds United on Thursday morning.
The 23-year-old signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the club, after terms were agreed last weekend.
"I'm delighted it's all done," said Peter.
"It took a bit of while, there were a few things to sort out because I was on loan at Walsall, and I had to get my release papers from there first.
"But this is a massive football club, and the fact that Dennis Wise is the manager made it even easier for me. He gave me my chance at Millwall and the rest is history."
Peter, a left-sided midfielder who can play anywhere in the middle of the park, was a member of the Millwall side which reached the FA Cup final in 2004 under the stewardship of Dennis.
That was the same season United slipped out of the Premiership, and Peter says he is hoping to play a part in helping the club climb the ladder back towards the top-flight.
"I used to love watching Leeds in the Premiership," he said. "Now it's great to be here and be a part of it.
"It's a Premiership club without a doubt and it'd be nice to be a part of getting back there, but first we have to get into the Championship.
"I was at Elland Road on Saturday and saw the atmosphere. There's nothing better than playing in front of crowds like that.
"I don't expect to jump straight into the side, but I want to get in and do whatever needs doing for the team."
Leeds trying to fill defensive hole by bringing in Kenton
By Richard Sutcliffe
LEEDS UNITED want to sign Leicester City defender Darren Kenton on loan to plug the gap left by Rui Marques's African Nations Cup call-up.
The Elland Road club must do without the highly-rated Angolan for several weeks so Dennis Wise wants to bolster his options at the back with just Paul Huntington and Matt Heath being available for Monday's trip to Crewe Alexandra.
Marques, who has been an ever-present in League One this term, could be away for up to seven games and the United manager admitted his interest in Bolton Wanderers defender Lubomir Michalik ahead of the transfer window opening 10 days ago.
However, the Yorkshire Post understands that Wise has this week approached Foxes manager Ian Holloway over a possible loan move for Kenton and is now awaiting a response from the East Midlands club.
The 29-year-old has made 14 appearances this season but was substituted at half-time in last Saturday's FA Cup defeat at Southampton.
Kenton started his career with Norwich and made 172 league appearances during a seven-year spell before moving to Premier League Southampton in the summer of 2003. Three years later, he joined Leicester on a free transfer after impressing during a two-month loan spell at the Walkers Stadium the previous season.
Kenton can play anywhere along the back four and has even deputised at times in midfield this season for Foxes captain Stephen Clemence.
The London-born defender could, however, become part of the clearout promised by Holloway following his side's FA Cup exit. The Foxes manager promised after that defeat to field a "brand new" team for Saturday's match with Coventry City and has so far been as good as his word with no less than five signings in line to make their home debuts against the Sky Blues.
That could work in Leeds' favour as Wise looks to bolster his own options ahead of Monday's trip to Gresty Road.
One player who should be involved for Leeds against Crewe is Peter Sweeney with the Stoke City winger expected to this morning finally complete his switch to Elland Road for a nominal fee.
The 23-year-old agreed personal terms with United after meeting them over the weekend and underwent his medical yesterday afternoon. Sweeney, who played for Wise at Millwall, is expected to return to Thorp Arch today to sign the contract. He spent time on loan with Walsall earlier this season and impressed in last month's 1-1 draw with United.
Providing the deal is completed, the wide man will become Leeds' third signing in four days. Neil Kilkenny joined on an emergency loan from Birmingham City before the weekend win over Northampton and made the deal permanent on Monday. Bradley Johnson followed suit on Tuesday in a £250,000 switch from Northampton Town with the midfielder expected to join Kilkenny and Sweeney in the squad to face Crewe next week in front of the live Sky Television cameras. United are also understood to remain keen on Walsall left-back Daniel Fox despite having a £250,000 bid turned down late last year.
Wise was given a further boost yesterday when Jonny Howson made his first appearance for the reserves since being stretchered off against Swansea City on December 29.
Leedsunited.com 10/1/08
SWEENEY'S DELIGHT
Midfielder Peter Sweeney was delighted to finalise his move to Leeds United on Thursday morning.
The 23-year-old signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the club, after terms were agreed last weekend.
"I'm delighted it's all done," said Peter.
"It took a bit of while, there were a few things to sort out because I was on loan at Walsall, and I had to get my release papers from there first.
"But this is a massive football club, and the fact that Dennis Wise is the manager made it even easier for me. He gave me my chance at Millwall and the rest is history."
Peter, a left-sided midfielder who can play anywhere in the middle of the park, was a member of the Millwall side which reached the FA Cup final in 2004 under the stewardship of Dennis.
That was the same season United slipped out of the Premiership, and Peter says he is hoping to play a part in helping the club climb the ladder back towards the top-flight.
"I used to love watching Leeds in the Premiership," he said. "Now it's great to be here and be a part of it.
"It's a Premiership club without a doubt and it'd be nice to be a part of getting back there, but first we have to get into the Championship.
"I was at Elland Road on Saturday and saw the atmosphere. There's nothing better than playing in front of crowds like that.
"I don't expect to jump straight into the side, but I want to get in and do whatever needs doing for the team."