Warnock: " if we only concede six goals today it will show we are making progress."

Extracts from Leeds United manager Neil Warnock's column in today's Independent

Someone said to me this week if we only concede six goals today it will show we are making progress. I think they meant it tongue-in-cheek, but we are playing Nottingham Forest, who beat us 7-3 at Elland Road last season. Since then they have spent millions under their new owners and Sean O'Driscoll has put together a cracking side which is unbeaten this season. Meanwhile, we have lost four of our best players, including star striker Ross McCormack, who could be out until Christmas. It doesn't sound very promising, does it? But one of the reasons I have been in football so long is that I love challenges like this. Besides, when you see the news, what with Hillsborough and the terrible death of the two lady police constables in Manchester, it makes you realise how lucky we are to get paid for playing and managing in this wonderful game. Any manager will tell you it is always the better players that get injured. McCormack, who had an operation yesterday, is obviously a major blow, especially coming after losing Adam Drury, Paul Green and David Norris. We also have a few more doubtful after the Hull match in midweek so it's all hands on deck. When I was a younger manager I wouldn't be able to sleep at night with losing players through injury or suspension, but as you get older you realise that these things happen and hope someone else grabs the opportunity. With all these injuries it has not gone unnoticed that the takeover of the club is an ongoing saga, but I am hoping a conclusion will be forthcoming soon and we can strengthen the squad to give us a chance of moving up the table. While today's game pits two big names against each other, Tuesday's televised Capital One Cup tie against Everton will bring back even more memories of the glory days for our fans, who I am sure are relishing the occasion. It will be nice to see Phil Jagielka, who played for me at Sheffield United, but I hope he doesn't have too good a game. I usually rest a few in this competition but there is no selection dilemma this time: I'll be picking everyone who is fit.

Leeds United Squad Numbers Announced

Leeds United have announced the squad numbers for the coming season with six new recruits figuring in the first 11 numbers.Paddy Kenny has been given the number one shirt, Adam Drury wears three, Jason Pearce will wear five, Paul Green gets the number seven shirt, Rodolph Austin will be eight, and Luke Varney has been allocated 11.Tom Lees also steps into the first 11 numbers with the number four shirt while Luciano Becchio retains the number 10.Aidan White will wear 14 for the new season while Andy Gray is 18 and David Norris 19. Michael Brown will wear number 21 this season and Zac Thompson has been given the number 23 shirt.
Ross McCormack will wear his favoured number 44.

1 PADDY KENNY
2 
3 ADAM DRURY 
4 TOM LEES 
5 JASON PEARCE 
6 
7 PAUL GREEN 
8 RODOLPH AUSTIN 
9 
10 LUCIANO BECCHIO 
11 LUKE VARNEY 
12 JAMIE ASHDOWN 
13 
14 AIDAN WHITE 
15 
16 DANNY PUGH 
17 
18 ANDY GRAY 
19 DAVID NORRIS 
20 
21 MICHAEL BROWN 
22 ROBBIE ROGERS 
23 ZAC THOMPSON
24 PAUL CONNOLLY
44 ROSS McCORMACK

Leeds United Sign Adam Drury From Norwich

Norwich City defender Adam Drury has agreed a deal to join Leeds United from July 1. The experienced left back will join on a two-year contract next month after agreeing a deal to become Neil Warnock's second signing of the summer.The 33-year-old, who was rewarded with a testimonial match against Celtic at Carrow Road in May, arrives with a wealth of experience, having made over 350 appearances for the Canaries. Drury was a member of the Norwich side which won back to back promotions from League One to the Premier League and he made 16 appearances last term, the majority coming in the second half of the campaign. Adam is out of contract at Norwich this summer and the United manager says he is delighted to welcome the left back to his squad. "From July 1 he will be our player and he's a player I've looked at for many years," said the boss. "He's a very good professional. I think he's a good defender, he's quick and I thought we needed a bit of experience in certain places, and that desire and will. And with Adam you know what you're going to get. "I'm delighted to have him. He's got the experience we need. He played 16 times for Norwich last season and he's better than a lot of full backs in the Premier League. "He's a good lad. That's half the battle as well. It gives us a good mix because we've got young Pearcey on that side as well so we can put that to bed now and move on to a different area. "When you speak to him he's full of enthusiasm and when you get released from a club you want to prove people wrong. "There's a few times I've wanted to kick him over the years! We've always had a rapport when my teams have played against him and I think he knows I've always respected him. "I tried to sign him at Sheffield United a few years back and it wasn't to be, but I've kept my eye on him ever since. He'll love it here. You can't play with fear at Elland Road and I think Adam will enjoy that part." Adam joins former Portsmouth captain Jason Pearce in becoming the club's second summer recruit.