McDermott impressed with Poleon
Leeds United boss Brian McDermott says youngster Dominic Poleon has impressed him and he is putting himself into contention for the start of the season.
Poleon made it two goals in two games this pre-season with a goal in the 3-1 win against a Slovenian XI in Leeds first game of their three game tour.
The 19-year-old academy product finished last season on a high with a goal at Watford on the final day and McDermott says he will be fighting for a place in the side at the start of the season.
Speaking on Yorkshire Radio, McDermott said, "I had a good chat with him at the back end of last season and he has taken it on board.
"He is really growing up as a person and I like him. He strikes a ball really well, he has fantastic pace, so he is right in contention. When you look at the four strikers, they are all fighting for places and they will work well together."
Both his goals so far this pre-season have been good strikes, showing his pace, skill and accuracy.
Poleon made eight appearances for Leeds last season, scoring twice and he spent time out on loan with Bury and Sheffield United.
McDermott says the players are all going in the same direction and they will all play their part next season.
McDermott once again gave his squad 45 minutes each as he used a different eleven in each half of their pre-season game in Slovenia.
The Leeds boss says everyone is working hard and looking to impress as they all look to earn a starting place in the opening championship game of the season on August 3rd.
Speaking on Yorkshire Radio, McDermott said, "Everyone is trying to impress and everyone wants to be part of it. I never look at what my team is going to be at the start of the season.
"I know there are 25 players going in the same direction, so the relevance of the team at the start of the season will be what it will be. We will pick eleven to start and seven subs but those players not involved will support the lads that are on the team sheet and then they will get their chance. It is all about a group of people going in the same direction."
Leeds won their latest pre-season game 3-1 against a Slovenian XI.
New signings Matt Smith and Noel Hunt were both on target again after both netting in Leeds opening pre-season game at Farsley on Saturday and youngster Dominic Poleon also made it two goals in two games.
McDermott says he is still working hard to bring one of his main summer targets but he is not expecting anyone to sign whilst they are away in Slovenia.
Leeds are currently away on a ten-day training camp in Slovenia, where they will take in three games. The players are not due to return to England until after their last game against Hungarian side Ferencvaros next Tuesday and McDermott says he doesn`t expect any new signings until they return home.
Speaking on Yorkshire Radio, McDermott said, "I am still working on one particular person and it is not going to happen in the next few days but it is still something we want to do.
"I don`t expect it to happen whilst we are in Slovenia".
McDermott has so far brought in Matt Smith from Oldham Athletic, Luke Murphy from Crewe Alexandra and Noel Hunt from Reading as he looks to build a side capable of making a sustained challenge in the championship this season.
Leeds still have three more pre-season games to play on their return to England. They will make the trips to Walsall and Stevenage before finishing pre-season with a home game against German Bundesliga side Nurnberg.
Poleon made it two goals in two games this pre-season with a goal in the 3-1 win against a Slovenian XI in Leeds first game of their three game tour.
The 19-year-old academy product finished last season on a high with a goal at Watford on the final day and McDermott says he will be fighting for a place in the side at the start of the season.
Speaking on Yorkshire Radio, McDermott said, "I had a good chat with him at the back end of last season and he has taken it on board.
"He is really growing up as a person and I like him. He strikes a ball really well, he has fantastic pace, so he is right in contention. When you look at the four strikers, they are all fighting for places and they will work well together."
Both his goals so far this pre-season have been good strikes, showing his pace, skill and accuracy.
Poleon made eight appearances for Leeds last season, scoring twice and he spent time out on loan with Bury and Sheffield United.
McDermott says the players are all going in the same direction and they will all play their part next season.
McDermott once again gave his squad 45 minutes each as he used a different eleven in each half of their pre-season game in Slovenia.
The Leeds boss says everyone is working hard and looking to impress as they all look to earn a starting place in the opening championship game of the season on August 3rd.
Speaking on Yorkshire Radio, McDermott said, "Everyone is trying to impress and everyone wants to be part of it. I never look at what my team is going to be at the start of the season.
"I know there are 25 players going in the same direction, so the relevance of the team at the start of the season will be what it will be. We will pick eleven to start and seven subs but those players not involved will support the lads that are on the team sheet and then they will get their chance. It is all about a group of people going in the same direction."
Leeds won their latest pre-season game 3-1 against a Slovenian XI.
New signings Matt Smith and Noel Hunt were both on target again after both netting in Leeds opening pre-season game at Farsley on Saturday and youngster Dominic Poleon also made it two goals in two games.
McDermott says he is still working hard to bring one of his main summer targets but he is not expecting anyone to sign whilst they are away in Slovenia.
Leeds are currently away on a ten-day training camp in Slovenia, where they will take in three games. The players are not due to return to England until after their last game against Hungarian side Ferencvaros next Tuesday and McDermott says he doesn`t expect any new signings until they return home.
Speaking on Yorkshire Radio, McDermott said, "I am still working on one particular person and it is not going to happen in the next few days but it is still something we want to do.
"I don`t expect it to happen whilst we are in Slovenia".
McDermott has so far brought in Matt Smith from Oldham Athletic, Luke Murphy from Crewe Alexandra and Noel Hunt from Reading as he looks to build a side capable of making a sustained challenge in the championship this season.
Leeds still have three more pre-season games to play on their return to England. They will make the trips to Walsall and Stevenage before finishing pre-season with a home game against German Bundesliga side Nurnberg.
