Yorkshire Evening Post 2/9/10
Grayson issues challenge to Honduran new boy Nunez
By Leon Wobschall
Simon Grayson has thrown down the gauntlet to Honduran livewire Ramon Nunez – as he aims to earn a long-term deal at Leeds United.The 24-year-old international attacking midfielder completed his move to Elland Road on a short-term contract until January in a beat-the-deadline move on Tuesday, having impressed boss Grayson and his coaching staff during a recent trial.
Grayson decided to take a punt on Nunez, who turned down options in Mexico to try his hand in English football with United, following the impact he made in training and while the player is by no means the finished article, the Leeds boss feels he possesses the raw material needed to prosper in England.
Grayson said: "The contract isn't anything long-term, but it's an option for us to get an extended look at him playing in a few more games with an option to extending it in January.
"The lad came over on trial and wanted to prove himself to us and he's done that. It takes a lot of bottle sometimes to come over on trial and get yourself an opportunity. I think he had a few other clubs who wanted to sign him, but he wanted to test himself here.
"He's done well in the period he's been with us and he's been very lively in training and got some good technique and qualities.
"He's represented Honduras in the World Cup and shown what type of player he is. He's a lively, bubbly sort of player who we want to look at a bit longer.
"He's still slightly down on his fitness levels with the rest of the players, but he's shown in training there's something about him.
"It's up to me to decide whether there is a right time to throw him in amongst the first team. He's added something different to the squad."
On heading to United, Nunez, who has revealed his favourite position is just behind the strikers, said: "I had a couple of options back in Mexico to stay there, but wanted to try my luck in Europe and I know I couldn't have come to a better club than Leeds with it's great tradition."
Meanwhile, United are understood to have ended their interest in trialist defender Calum Davenport.
The former West Ham, Spurs and Coventry City centre-half, who has not played since being stabbed in both legs a year ago, is looking for a new club after leaving the Hammers earlier this summer.
Championship outfit Nottingham Forest recently ran the rule over him and he is thought to have also attracted some tentative interest from Cardiff City.
Grayson issues challenge to Honduran new boy Nunez
By Leon Wobschall
Simon Grayson has thrown down the gauntlet to Honduran livewire Ramon Nunez – as he aims to earn a long-term deal at Leeds United.The 24-year-old international attacking midfielder completed his move to Elland Road on a short-term contract until January in a beat-the-deadline move on Tuesday, having impressed boss Grayson and his coaching staff during a recent trial.
Grayson decided to take a punt on Nunez, who turned down options in Mexico to try his hand in English football with United, following the impact he made in training and while the player is by no means the finished article, the Leeds boss feels he possesses the raw material needed to prosper in England.
Grayson said: "The contract isn't anything long-term, but it's an option for us to get an extended look at him playing in a few more games with an option to extending it in January.
"The lad came over on trial and wanted to prove himself to us and he's done that. It takes a lot of bottle sometimes to come over on trial and get yourself an opportunity. I think he had a few other clubs who wanted to sign him, but he wanted to test himself here.
"He's done well in the period he's been with us and he's been very lively in training and got some good technique and qualities.
"He's represented Honduras in the World Cup and shown what type of player he is. He's a lively, bubbly sort of player who we want to look at a bit longer.
"He's still slightly down on his fitness levels with the rest of the players, but he's shown in training there's something about him.
"It's up to me to decide whether there is a right time to throw him in amongst the first team. He's added something different to the squad."
On heading to United, Nunez, who has revealed his favourite position is just behind the strikers, said: "I had a couple of options back in Mexico to stay there, but wanted to try my luck in Europe and I know I couldn't have come to a better club than Leeds with it's great tradition."
Meanwhile, United are understood to have ended their interest in trialist defender Calum Davenport.
The former West Ham, Spurs and Coventry City centre-half, who has not played since being stabbed in both legs a year ago, is looking for a new club after leaving the Hammers earlier this summer.
Championship outfit Nottingham Forest recently ran the rule over him and he is thought to have also attracted some tentative interest from Cardiff City.