LUFC Bates - We will cut size of squad

Leeds United chairman Ken Bates is looking to cut the size of the squad over the summer.

Bates has long criticised the size of the Leeds squad and claimed it to be one of the biggest in the championship.

The chairman says that the youngsters that have come through the academy will be given their chance to shine as well as the signings Neil Warnock will want to bring in to stamp his mark on the squad.

Warnock is expected to have a large summer clear out and Bates feels that some of the players signed by previous manager Simon Grayson have failed to deliver.

Speaking on Yorkshire Radio, Bates said, "We have made some very poor signings who haven`t delivered what they have been signed for and are hopelessly overpaid.

"We have probably the biggest squad in the league, I don`t know why? We have far too many.

"Some might say, 'why did you let Simon Grayson sign them?` Well you back your manager until you run out of steam or patience.

"We will cut our squad next year. We will make use of the kids but hopefully we will get a leaner, meaner dressing room and maybe a better spirit within it.

"One big problem of having a big squad is you cannot keep them all happy. The vast majority of players want to play but with a squad of 30, you cannot keep them all happy.

"We are not going to spend money we have not got but we have assets and if we sell any players, Neil will have that money to strengthen the squad in the weak areas he feels we need improving."

There are twelve professional players currently with the club who are out of contract in the summer and Warnock will also be looking to move on players who he doesn`t see in his plans for next season.

Warnock has admitted he is in talks with five Leeds players over new deals with the club, including Darren O`Dea who is on loan from Celtic until the end of the season and Aidan White who is out of contract in the summer.






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