LUFC Warnock - Becchio can be a better player

Leeds United manager Neil Warnock says he is a big fan of Luciano Becchio and he will be working with the Leeds striker in pre-season.

Warnock said on his arrival at Elland Road that he was impressed with Becchio and he would be a big physical presence in the Leeds attack, stating that he would not lose another header all season.

Speaking in the Yorkshire Evening Post , Warnock said, "I`m a big fan of Becchio. He can be a much better player than I`ve seen so far and that`s something I`ll be working on in pre-season."

The Argentinian striker had his lowest return for Leeds last season, scoring just eleven goals in 43 appearances.

The 28 year old netted 20 goals in Leeds first season in the championship the previous season and he has scored 67 goals in 190 appearances since joining Leeds in the summer of 2008 after a successful trial.

Warnock also stated that he could be looking to bring in another striker with pace to complement Becchio`s strength and aerial presence and it was one reason why he put Billy Paynter on the transfer list, with the two players being similar. "It`s also why I put Billy Paynter on the transfer list. If I do bring another striker in then he needs to be different to those two.

"We`re looking at pace in a few areas and I`m trying to get the right balance on the ins and outs," added Warnock.

Warnock is still in talks with fellow striker, Ross McCormack over a new contract at Elland Road.

McCormack was the clubs leading goalscorer last season with 19 goals and he has been offered a new deal at Elland Road with twelve months remaining on his current deal.

Warnock will also be hoping to welcome back Davide Somma during pre-season. The South African international striker missed the whole of last season after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury during the last pre-season.

Somma enjoyed a decent first season with Leeds in the championship, when he netted 12 times from only 13 starts in 32 appearances.

The Leeds boss will welcome his players back for pre-season training in early July and the club are already busy putting together their pre-season schedule.

Leeds have already announced three games in Devon and Cornwall against non-league Tavistock and Bodmin as well as a clash with League Two side Torquay United.

They have also announced a trip to Scandinavia where they will face Sandejford in Norway for the second pre-season in a row.

Leeds are expected to name more pre-season fixtures in the near future with the longer than usual close season this summer because of the London Olympics.






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