LUFC Bates asks for patience in transfer window

Leeds United chairman Ken Bates says work is already going on behind the scenes to strengthen the squad when the transfer window opens next month.

Bates as asked for patience from the fans and insists a lot of work is going on behind the scenes to ensure that the right players come in as moving on players who do not fit into the long-term plans of the club.

Speaking on Yorkshire Radio, Bates said, "We are very hopeful, we know what we want to do and we know who we want. We also know we have to move some players on who do not fit into the manager`s plans.

"We have a very big squad at the moment, 28-29 senior players; the average club has 22-23, so we want to reduce our numbers.

"An awful lot of work is going on behind the scenes; I would ask the fans to be patient. Just because things do not seem to be happening does not mean a great deal of work is not going on. We have things going on behind the scenes, which hopefully we will see the benefit of next month."

Bates also indicated the areas of the squad the need addressing with defence and midfield a priority whilst they are over loaded with strikers.

"The squad is in balanced at the moment, we have eight strikers. I am not sure what they do on a Saturday afternoon and that has to be redressed.

"We are understrength in midfield and that has to be put right and whatever we do with the defence we seem to struggle at the moment and over the last two or three years and that has to be put right.

"What money we have we will have to spend carefully and I can assure the fans, the money we have got from St Etienne and Leicester, (and we have not received it all yet), will not go into building work. It will all go into Simon`s pot. How he spends it is up to the manager," continued Bates.

On loan midfielder Danny Pugh is one player who is expected to sign full time during the transfer window.

Pugh is currently on loan from Premier League side Stoke City until January, although it is understood that a deal is in place to make the move permanent when the window reopens in January.

Fellow on loan player Andy Keogh as also expressed his desire to sign for Leeds when his loan spell from Wolverhampton Wanderers ends in January.

Two players who look set to definitely leave during January are defenders Alex Bruce and Andy O`Brien.

Bruce is currently on loan at League One side Huddersfield Town and Bruce has expressed his desire to make the move permanent when his loan ends next month.

O`Brien has not featured for Leeds since the beginning of October and has demanded a move, saying he will never play for the club again.





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