United back from Norway

Leeds returned home from their week long tour of Norway on Tuesday with manager Kevin Blackwell happy at his side's progress so far this pre-season.

Training twice a day, the tour was used to build up fitness and to assess new players, as well as getting a couple of games under their belts.

New signing Seb Carole, trialist Hayden Foxe and youngster Ben Parker were handed their debuts on the tour, and every player in the squad played a part.

United finished their first game of the tour with a 2-2 draw against Sarpsborg on Thursday night, an Ole Heiren Hansen own-goal and an Eirik Bakke penalty twice put Leeds in front. Sarpsborg replied with goals from Mamadou Diagnelatyr and Ole Jorgen Halvarsen to salvage the draw.

The Whites ended the tour on a high with a 2-1 win over Sandnes on Monday night. A Norland Kiehl goal gave the home side the lead, but a hard-fought Leeds performance and goals from Eirik Bakke and Robbie Blake gave Leeds the victory.

Boss Kevin Blackwell told leedsunited.com 'We've given everyone a game and that's what it's all about.

'The finishing needs some work, but it was the first games back for the lads.

'They worked hard fitness wise, and now it's a case of sharpening up a bit, but we got exactly what we wanted.'



Teams:

Sarpsborg 2-2 Leeds United

Sarpsborg: R Hansen (Brathen 47), O Hansen (Jusufi 47), Faranczuck, Mathisen, Stubsveen (Haraldsen 81), Lobieniecki, Larsen (Rustadstven 40), Johannessen (Jorgensen 81), Sharif, Dahm (Halvorsen 47), Turner (Diagnelatyr 47).

Leeds United: Bennett, Richardson (Kelly 73), Foxe, (Butler 73) Parker (Kilgallon 73), Harding, Stone (Griffiths 73), Bakke, Einarsson, Carole, Beckford (Hulse 73), Blake (Healy 73).

Sandnes 1-2 Leeds United

Sandnes: Valland, Louiknes, Bugnes, Maldal, Helge Vilsen, Ellingnen, Overas, Pedersen, Andersen, Kiehl, Eikeberg. Subs (all used): Brommeland, Kanu, Veen, Andersen, Larsen, Mirza, Kuinen.

Leeds United: Sullivan, Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon (Foxe 68), Parker, Stone (Richardson 68), Einarsson, Bakke (Carole 68), Harding, Hulse (Beckford 68), Healy (Blake 68).

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