Yorkshire Evening Post 20/12/08
The cavalry is coming says Mac
By Phil Hay
Gary McAllister is confident that Leeds United will sign their key transfer targets next month after admitting the club's initial approaches have gone "beyond enquiries".
The Elland Road manager has identified a number of possible recruits after conceding that his existing squad lacks the strength in certain positions to see Leeds through the rest of the League One season.
McAllister will pay special attention to improving his vulnerable defence next month – the United boss made an early addition to his ranks by recruiting out-of-contract centre-back Mansour Assoumani on a month-long deal this week – and he is hoping to bring a quick conclusion to his dealings in the January transfer window.
Leeds failed with an attempt to sign Wayne Brown on loan from Hull City last month, and the club's performances since have left McAllister in no doubt that new defenders are needed to keep United in contention for promotion to the Championship.
McAllister said: "We're going to have to strengthen in that department and we've made progress with that already.
"I'm positive about the two or three enquiries we've made, and they're beyond enquiries now."
McAllister's comments indicated that Leeds were hopeful of completing their business in the early stages of the transfer window and avoiding lengthy negotiations with rival clubs.
Despite having one of the biggest squads in League One, United have struggled to find an established and reliable defence, but McAllister may receive another boost next month with the return to fitness of Paul Huntington.
The ex-Newcastle United player underwent surgery this week to repair a long-standing injury to his groin, but he has started work in the gym at Leeds' Thorp Arch training complex already and could return shortly after the turn of the year.
Huntington's last first-team appearance came in September.
McAllister said: "They've repaired the slight bit of damage that was in there.
"In years gone by it would have been a six or eight-week absence but the technology of that operation has moved on and you can be back much quicker.
"But we're wary of not rushing him. It's been preying on his mind for a while so he's got to be right mentally before we start thinking about him."
The cavalry is coming says Mac
By Phil Hay
Gary McAllister is confident that Leeds United will sign their key transfer targets next month after admitting the club's initial approaches have gone "beyond enquiries".
The Elland Road manager has identified a number of possible recruits after conceding that his existing squad lacks the strength in certain positions to see Leeds through the rest of the League One season.
McAllister will pay special attention to improving his vulnerable defence next month – the United boss made an early addition to his ranks by recruiting out-of-contract centre-back Mansour Assoumani on a month-long deal this week – and he is hoping to bring a quick conclusion to his dealings in the January transfer window.
Leeds failed with an attempt to sign Wayne Brown on loan from Hull City last month, and the club's performances since have left McAllister in no doubt that new defenders are needed to keep United in contention for promotion to the Championship.
McAllister said: "We're going to have to strengthen in that department and we've made progress with that already.
"I'm positive about the two or three enquiries we've made, and they're beyond enquiries now."
McAllister's comments indicated that Leeds were hopeful of completing their business in the early stages of the transfer window and avoiding lengthy negotiations with rival clubs.
Despite having one of the biggest squads in League One, United have struggled to find an established and reliable defence, but McAllister may receive another boost next month with the return to fitness of Paul Huntington.
The ex-Newcastle United player underwent surgery this week to repair a long-standing injury to his groin, but he has started work in the gym at Leeds' Thorp Arch training complex already and could return shortly after the turn of the year.
Huntington's last first-team appearance came in September.
McAllister said: "They've repaired the slight bit of damage that was in there.
"In years gone by it would have been a six or eight-week absence but the technology of that operation has moved on and you can be back much quicker.
"But we're wary of not rushing him. It's been preying on his mind for a while so he's got to be right mentally before we start thinking about him."