LUFC Bates looking to strengthen in January

Leeds United chairman Ken Bates says the club are already busy looking at how they can improve the squad in January when the transfer window reopens.

Leeds are the current form side in the division and have climbed to fourth in the table since the return to full fitness of a number of first team players.

They currently have just long term injured Patrick Kisnorbo, Richard Naylor and Andy O`Brien on the sidelines with O`Brien touch and go for the weekend clash against QPR.

There are currently a dozen new faces at the club since the end of last season and Bates is hoping to strengthen even further to see Leeds pushing for promotion in the second half of the season.

Speaking in the YEP, Bates said, 'Expectations have risen and we'll have periods in the New Year when things aren't going quite as we'd like them to but we look good. We're strong in numbers and we are non-stop, always looking at how we can improve our squad. I won't go into specifics but I can assure you of that.

'We're fourth and we want to stay no less than top six. We'd like to be in the top two.'

January could prove to be a busy month with a number of players out of contract in the summer, including midfielder Bradley Johnson who as been placed on the transfer list after refusing a new deal.

Leading goalscorer Luciano Becchio is also out of contract at the end of the season and Leeds will be hoping to secure his services and any advances from other clubs for his signature during the window.

Amdy Faye comes to the end of his short-term deal at the club and Lubomir Michalik and Mike Grella are currently enjoying loan spells at Carlisle and look to be off the radar at Elland Road.

Leeds also have a few players coming to the end of their loan spells at Elland Road.

George McCartney will come to the end of his three months on loan from Sunderland after the Portsmouth game and many will be hoping that Leeds can secure the services of defender Andy O`Brien after he`s impressed during his loan spell from Bolton Wanderers.


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