Yorkshire Evening Post 6/2/09
Liam's still a Whites target
By Phil Hay
Simon Grayson has confirmed that Liam Dickinson remains a target for Leeds United despite their failed bid to sign the striker from Derby County earlier this week.
Dickinson was denied a move to Elland Road when his proposed switch from Pride Park missed Monday's transfer deadline, but Grayson is set to use the Football League's emergency loan market to secure the 23-year-old's services later this month.
Leeds and Derby agreed a deal which would have allowed Dickinson to join United on loan until the end of their League One campaign, but the transfer fell through after paperwork sent from Elland Road arrived with the Football League 14 minutes after Monday's 5pm deadline.
The January window was the final opportunity for clubs in England to agree permanent transfers and long-term loans, but the Football League's flexibility in allowing short-term temporary deals to be struck outside that window will give Leeds the chance to add to their squad from the beginning of next week.
Dickinson could join Leeds for a maximum of 93 days under Football League rules – potentially long enough to secure him for the League One play-offs if United delay his arrival until the relevant date – and Derby chairman Adam Pearson has confirmed that his club are still willing to sanction the forward's transfer to Leeds.
Grayson said: "It was one of those deals that came up late in the day and an opportunity I thought we should try and take. Unfortunately we didn't get him. Talks are ongoing and I'd like to think that if he had a choice of clubs then Leeds would be top of his priority list.
"Having worked with the player in the past, I understand him and he understands me so we've got chance of doing that deal, but no deal is ever secure until it's been signed, sealed and delivered.
"It's one where we'll again be exploring the option of bringing him in."
Ex-Stockport County player Dickinson played under Grayson while on loan at Blackpool from Derby earlier in the season, and the striker's temporary spell at Bloomfield Road was still in full flow when Grayson left to become United's new manager two days before Christmas.
Grayson is keen to secure a new striker after Bristol City rebuffed Leeds' attempt to extend Lee Trundle's loan deal until the end of the season, though the Championship club are indicating that Trundle will be given permission to remain with United for a further four weeks when his initial month-long agreement expires after Monday's match against Millwall.
Grayson said: "I worked with Liam at Blackpool and he's scored many goals in the last few years.
"He got his move to Derby (from Stockport) and I thought he'd be a good addition to our squad. I was disappointed not to have got him but we'll have to wait and see what happens over the next few weeks."
Dickinson scored 33 goals in 57 league starts for Stockport before joining Derby last summer, but he has not made a first-team appearance for his parent club.
The forward began this season on loan at Huddersfield Town, making 13 outings and scoring six goals.
Liam's still a Whites target
By Phil Hay
Simon Grayson has confirmed that Liam Dickinson remains a target for Leeds United despite their failed bid to sign the striker from Derby County earlier this week.
Dickinson was denied a move to Elland Road when his proposed switch from Pride Park missed Monday's transfer deadline, but Grayson is set to use the Football League's emergency loan market to secure the 23-year-old's services later this month.
Leeds and Derby agreed a deal which would have allowed Dickinson to join United on loan until the end of their League One campaign, but the transfer fell through after paperwork sent from Elland Road arrived with the Football League 14 minutes after Monday's 5pm deadline.
The January window was the final opportunity for clubs in England to agree permanent transfers and long-term loans, but the Football League's flexibility in allowing short-term temporary deals to be struck outside that window will give Leeds the chance to add to their squad from the beginning of next week.
Dickinson could join Leeds for a maximum of 93 days under Football League rules – potentially long enough to secure him for the League One play-offs if United delay his arrival until the relevant date – and Derby chairman Adam Pearson has confirmed that his club are still willing to sanction the forward's transfer to Leeds.
Grayson said: "It was one of those deals that came up late in the day and an opportunity I thought we should try and take. Unfortunately we didn't get him. Talks are ongoing and I'd like to think that if he had a choice of clubs then Leeds would be top of his priority list.
"Having worked with the player in the past, I understand him and he understands me so we've got chance of doing that deal, but no deal is ever secure until it's been signed, sealed and delivered.
"It's one where we'll again be exploring the option of bringing him in."
Ex-Stockport County player Dickinson played under Grayson while on loan at Blackpool from Derby earlier in the season, and the striker's temporary spell at Bloomfield Road was still in full flow when Grayson left to become United's new manager two days before Christmas.
Grayson is keen to secure a new striker after Bristol City rebuffed Leeds' attempt to extend Lee Trundle's loan deal until the end of the season, though the Championship club are indicating that Trundle will be given permission to remain with United for a further four weeks when his initial month-long agreement expires after Monday's match against Millwall.
Grayson said: "I worked with Liam at Blackpool and he's scored many goals in the last few years.
"He got his move to Derby (from Stockport) and I thought he'd be a good addition to our squad. I was disappointed not to have got him but we'll have to wait and see what happens over the next few weeks."
Dickinson scored 33 goals in 57 league starts for Stockport before joining Derby last summer, but he has not made a first-team appearance for his parent club.
The forward began this season on loan at Huddersfield Town, making 13 outings and scoring six goals.
