Paynter set for Blackpool Exit

Leeds United striker Billy Paynter is on the verge of a move to Championship rivals Blackpool.Leeds United manager Neil Warnock has confirmed Paynter has spoken to a 'few clubs' regarding a transfer.Paynter was placed on the transfer list by Warnock at the end of last season and he has scored just three goals in 27 league appearances since his 2010 move from Swindon Town.The 28-year-old had a spell on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion last term and was not involved in Leeds' recent pre-season games against Tavistock and Bodmin.He also left the squad ahead of the friendly against Torquay United to discuss a possible move away from Elland Road and Warnock is waiting to receive a suitable offer."Billy's talked to a few clubs," Warnock told the club's official website. "There's a number after him but it's got to be right for us."Doncaster Rovers have been strongly linked with a bid for Paynter however it is believed that Blackpool have tabled a bid of around £250,000 for the player

Paynter puts gloss on Leeds win

Goal-shy striker Billy Paynter finally found his scoring boots to help Leeds to a crushing come-from-behind win over Peterborough that earned Neil Warnock his first home victory as manager.The 27-year-old, signed from Swindon two years ago, had managed just one goal for the club prior to this afternoon and, when he was announced as one of five changes made by Warnock following defeat to Derby on Monday, his name was greeted with sarcastic cheers from fans who had grown tired of waiting for him to prove his worth.He answered them though, scoring twice as Warnock's men replied to Joe Newell's opener in some style, with Ross McCormack also grabbing a brace to take his tally for the season to 19.Paynter's first and McCormack's double came in a chaotic 180-second burst either side of the interval and killed off a Posh side who are still not mathematically safe from relegation and require a point to survive.It was Paynter's day, however, and after being handed a rare start ahead of Luciano Becchio, he set about proving to Warnock that he wants to remain in a squad that the veteran boss has repeatedly stated since his February arrival needs major surgery.He had a first-minute one-on-one saved and then had a second-minute header cleared off the line, while Robert Snodgrass was also denied under the bar as Leeds looked to have heeded Warnock's post-Derby warning that one of his sides would never play so badly again.That quickly looked likely to be a false statement, though, as Posh got on top.George Boyd missed two presentable chances, one after Andy Lonergan came for and missed a cross, the other after teenage defender Charlie Taylor slipped and lost possession.Leigh Bromby's deflected header then clipped Peterborough's bar, but Leeds looked shaky at the back and, after another Taylor error, the visitors took the lead when Newell robbed him of possession in the 37th minute and tucked under Lonergan from an acute angle.Boyd should have made it two seconds later but could not adjust his feet after the home keeper shelled Paul Taylor's shot, meaning that when Paynter scored from a yard in first-half injury time after Paul Jones dropped a Snodgrass shot, it brought Leeds level rather than giving them a lifeline.If Peterborough were stunned by the goal then they were even more shellshocked after the break as McCormack's quickfire double put them out of sight.First, his weak back-post volley after a Paynter flick somehow bobbled over the top of Jones and then, as Peterborough poured forward, Snodgrass, Danny Webber and Adam Clayton picked them apart to give the Scot a two-yard tap-in.

The game was over as a contest now and Leeds probed for chances seemingly at will, with Paynter taking one with 17 minutes left.

Tom Lees' cross found its way to him at the back post and his clinical 12-yard finish belied a man who only 40 minutes previous had scored his maiden home goal for the club.

He could and should have had a hat-trick after that, blazing wide when played in by Webber, before Warnock afforded him a standing ovation when he withdrew him with seconds remaining.

Brighton Sign Billy Paynter

Brighton have secured the services of Leeds United striker Billy Paynter on loan until January.
Manager Gus Poyet has convinced Paynter to sign for his out-of-form side, beating off competition from other Championship clubs.The 27-year-old has not featured in Simon Grayson's first-team since the first game of the season and has only scored once for the club since joining from Swindon in June 2010.Brighton have gone eight games without a win and will be hoping that Paynter can help transform their fortunes.Paynter will be included in Brighton’s squad this weekend to face Birmingham

Reserves Win 5-0

A reserve XI put five past Chesterfield in a behind-closed-doors game at Thorp Arch on Monday.
The senior experience in a young United side was provided Lloyd Sam and Billy Paynter, and the former netted our third goal of the game shortly after the hour-mark when he passed two defenders after a short corner.Sam was also the architect for a Nathan Turner striker just after half-time while Will Hatfield was also among the scorers in what was a comfortable win.Reserve team manager Neil Redfearn was full of praise for Hatfield, but was delighted with the overall team performance.Redfearn said: "We were always in control and Monty Gimple and Ross Killock looked strong and assured at the back. Sam Byram got forward to good effect from right back and in midfield Nathan Turner capped off a fine display with a well taken goal."Our wide players were a constant threat, both creating and scoring goals and Will Hatfield married a great work ethic with craft and guile."

United: Cairns, Byram, Gimple, Killock, L.Turner, Trialist (Lenighan 72), N.Turner, Mccann(Clamp 80), Sam(Snodin 72), Hatfield(Payne 72) Paynter( Poleon 72).

Leeds United V Hull City Pre-View

Leeds' new loan signing Andy Keogh is expected to go straight into the starting line-up.The 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international, signed initially on loan until January, is a likely starter as manager Simon Grayson is still without strikers Luciano Becchio, Billy Paynter and Davide Somma, while winger Max Gradel is suspended.Becchio (hamstring) and long-term absentee Somma (knee) have yet to play this season and Paynter missed out on Saturday with a thigh strain.Leeds will also be without suspended skipper Jonny Howson. The midfielder and Gradel were both sent off during Saturday's home defeat to Middlesbrough for two yellow card offences and will sit out respective one-game bans.Grayson could turn to Ramon Nunez and Lloyd Sam, who both stepped off the substitutes' bench against Middlesbrough, while young defenders Tom Lees, 20, and Zac Thompson, 18, will be hoping to feature again after making their debuts at the weekend.

Hull manager Nigel Pearson will pick from a virtually full-strength squad.

Defender Liam Rosenior (knee), striker Dele Adebola (back) and Aaron Mclean (calf) all returned to action as the Tigers secured their first win of the season at Ipswich.

Rosenior started at Portman Road and is expected to retain his place, while Adebola and Mclean were both late substitutes' and may have to settle for a place on the bench again.

Assistant manager Craig Shakespeare said: "There's a few aches and pains and niggles, but they all reported in [on Sunday].

"They'll train again and there are a couple who might just do a bit less, but we'll wait and see how they are on Tuesday morning."

Defender Paul McShane (calf) and winger Cameron Stewart (knee ligaments) are still unavailable.

Leeds 3 Newcastle 2

Simon Grayson handed home debuts to Andy Lonergan and Michael Brown for his side's final warm-up game of pre-season. Andy O'Brien made his first start of the summer and Robert Snodgrass returned from injury for the visit of Newcastle. Trialists Alex Mendy and Boldizsar Bodor were also named among the substitutes.Leeds started the game on the front foot and were in front inside five minutes, courtesy of Paddy Kisnorbo. Snodgrass swung in a free-kick with his left foot and Newcastle goalkeeper Fraser Forster failed to make a clean catch, spilling the ball to Kisnorbo, who celebrated his first Elland Road appearance since March 2010 with the simplest of tap-ins.Moments later, Ross McCormack cashed in on another mistake, this time from Steve Taylor, but his cross was just too deep for an advancing Jonny Howson. It was certainly a positive start from Leeds, and Newcastle were being put under some real pressure.
The United goalscorer was soon in the thick of the action at the other. O'Brien made a great challenge to deny Demba Ba, and as the Newcastle striker got to his feet quickly, with only Lonergan to beat, Kisnorbo came crashing in to win the ball for Leeds.
And United were only denied a second goal on 14 minutes when Max Gradel headed home a free-kick but was deemed to be in an offside position.

On 20 minutes, Joey Barton created a good chance for Newcastle when he held off Kisnorbo, but Ba couldn't get the decisive touch on his cross.
But it was Leeds who threatened again the half-hour and Forster had to be alert to tip a Gradel shot over the bar after more good play by United.
Moments later, Newcastle were level, though. Taylor converted a corner kick at the far post leaving the United players appealing for a foul on Michael Brown.
As the game edged towards half-time, there was a short stoppage while Gradel received treatment to his thigh after being caught by a lunge from Yohan Cabaye. Leeds also had what appeared to be a good penalty shout for a handball in the moments leading up to the break, but after hesistating, the referee waved played on.
Despite Newcastle pulling a goal back, the United manager will have been pleased with the first half display from his players, and there was an opening at the start of the second period when Howson made an advancing run before shooting just wide.

Brown also had an early shot at Forster when he tried his luck from distance before Howson again threatened and had a shot deflected for a corner.
The majority were almost celebrating moments later when substitute Leigh Bromby almost converted a good cross from Adam Clayton.
Grayson made a flurry of changes during the second half, and it was one of those, Lloyd Sam, who restored the lead on 67 minutes. The former Charlton winger won the ball on the by-line and scored from the tightest of angles to make it 2-1.
And Sam almost created a third with United's very next attack - but his low pull-back was just too powerful for Ramon Nunez to get a touch on.
At the other end, Lonergan was called upon to make a good save to deny Joey Barton as Newcastle created a rare chance. They did so again 76 on minutes, and Lonergan was beaten by a powerful strike from Haris Vuckic after a pull-back from the by-line.
Parity lasted barely 85 minutes, though. and Elland Road erupted when Billy Paynter was the man who got up at the far post to convert a cross from the right.
It Paynter's first Elland Road goal and his first of pre-season, and it was enough to secure victory in the final pre-season game.

Gradel on Target for Leeds

Leeds included three trialists in their squad at Rochdale tonight but it was the club’s Player of the Year Max Gradel whose first-half goal made it three pre-season wins out of three.

An unnamed left winger (Believed to be Alexandre Mendy) made the starting line-up, and included among the substitutes were free agents JLoyd Samuel and Isaiah Osbourne.

Former Bolton and Aston Villa left back Samuel, 30, spent the final month of last season on loan at Cardiff, while defensive midfielder Osbourne, 23, has been released by Villa and has been on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough.

United opened the scoring on the half hour. Rochdale lost possession, enabling Billy Paynter to set up Gradel, who switched the ball from right foot to left and shot past keeper Matt Duke into the bottom corner of the net.

Missing from the Leeds squad were Robert Snodgrass, Lloyd Sam and Patrick Kisnorbo, who collected knocks last week in Scotland, while Luciano Becchio, Davide Somma and Andy O’Brien, who missed the Scotland games through injury, were again absent.

Gradel and former Portsmouth midfielder Michael Brown were to the fore as United bossed the first half and were well worth their half-time lead, though Leeds keeper Paul Rachubka had to palm a smart shot from Andrew Tuttle over the bar.

JLoyd Samuel was among a clutch of substitutions made by manager Simon Grayson at the start of the second half, the unnamed trialist being one of the players taken off. Osbourne had to wait until just after the hour to take over from Jonny Howson in central midfield.

Brown took the captain’s arm band from Howson and the pair are set to be rivals for the skipper’s role in the new season. Then, when Brown was substituted, Leigh Bromby became Leeds’ third player to undertake the captain’s duties.

With both sides making regular substitutions, there was little pattern to the game and United comfortably kept a clean sheet.

Falkirk 0 Leeds 2

United manager Simon Grayson used the majority of his squad for the opening game of the summer, Davide Somma, Andy O'Brien, Luciano Becchio, and Fede Bessone missing through injury.The boss planned to play almost two seperate XIs, and his first half side included summer signings Michael Brown and Paul Rachubka, along with Paddy Kisnorbo and the returning Ben Parker.The opening exchanges saw United play some decent football against the Scottish first division outfit and there were useful touches by the likes of Ramon Nunez and Lloyd Sam.In typical pre-season fashion, there were no real chances early doors although United goalkeeper Paul Rachubka did get down well to stop a Kallum Higginbotham effort inside the opening 15 minutes.United did come close on 25 minutes when Robert Snodgrass curled a free-kick into the side-netting and moments later Billy Paynter shot just wide after great work by Nunez.The lively Sam also went close when he saw his shot turned for a corner, but Leeds did go ahead on 36 minutes when a Nunez cross was turned in by Falkirk defender Thomas Scobbie.All in all it was a useful 45 minutes against a side who looked like quite lively, and as predicted Grayson made a number of changes at half-time, although not the predicted wholesale re-shuffle.There were six changes with Alex Bruce, Leigh Bromby, Aidy White, Jonny Howson, Max Gradel, and Ross McCormack were all introduced.United started the second half with some crisp passing, and it was 2-0 on 53 minutes when Aidy White fed Lloyd Sam who crossed for Snodgrass to head home from close range.Snodgrass almost repaid that favour moments later when his cross from deep found Sam, but the Falkirk keeper was equal to the header.Grayson made another raft of changes on 63 minutes and almost immediately United were denied a third goal by a goal-line clearance after McCormack swung the ball into the middle.The changes prompted a mass re-shuffle that saw Zac Thompson and Nathan Turner in the middle of the park, Lewis Turner at right-back, White moved to the right side of the midfield, and Tom Lees returned to the fray at left-back.The final 20 minutes or so saw the fluency disappear slowly with both sides have made so many changes, but Leeds still had some decent possession at times and showed good movement.With around six minutes left on the clock, Gradel was withdrawn after taking a knock and United headed into the final moments with just 10 men on the field.In the final minute, Falkirk did have a couple of opportunites when Higginbotham came within inches with a strike from distance before Scobbie headed into the arms of Cairns.
And that proved to be the final action as United picked up a 2-0 win to kick-off pre-season.

Paynter in Swap Deal?

Sky Sports are reporting that Yorkshire rivals Leeds United and Sheffield United could agree a swap deal involving Billy Paynter and Nick Montgomery. Paynter came in for criticism from fans last season and has been linked with a move away from Elland Road since the end of the campaign.But Leeds boss Simon Grayson said earlier in the week that the forward, who scored just one goal in 23 appearances in 2010/11, remained a part of his plans.Leeds, though, are in the process of reshaping their squad in a bid to challenge for promotion from the Championship.
Midfielder Montgomery could therefore provide a different dimension to Grayson's plans and may welcome the chance to return to the second division.

Sheffield United were relegated from the Championship last season and the 29-year-old, who signed a new three-year contract last summer, might be looking elsewhere

Grayson wants to keep Paynter

Billy Paynter is set to start the new season with Leeds United after manager Simon Grayson insisted he had no interest in selling the striker.Paynter’s future came under question last week amid suggestions of an imminent approach for him from Sheffield United, but Grayson confirmed today that the forward was part of his plans for the forthcoming Championship term.A transfer to Bramall Lane would reunite Paynter with Blades manager Danny Wilson, a coach who he flourished under for 18 months at Swindon Town, and his role at Leeds is unclear after a difficult first year in West Yorkshire.A shin injury delayed Paynter’s debut until October, and 23 first-team appearances yielded only one goal – at Preston North End on March 8.

The 26-year-old agreed a three-year deal upon joining United from the County Ground outfit last summer, however, and Grayson indicated that Paynter would be given a fresh chance to find his goalscoring form at Elland Road next season.

Grayson said: “I’ve had no enquiries for Billy.

“He had a stop-start season last year but I’m not looking to get rid of him because he’s a good player. When he did come into the team, he showed his quality.”

Leeds 1 - 0 Burnley:Match Report

Leeds kept their Championship play-off hopes alive with a victory over Burnley, whose own chances of a top-six finish were damaged as a result.United led at half-time thanks to Ross McCormack's neat finish - his first for the club since joining in the summer.Brian Jensen produced a string of saves to deny Leeds, who also hit the post through McCormack in the second half.Jack Cork fired a shot wide and Ross Wallace saw a free-kick saved, but the home side held on for a deserved win.The win completes the double for Leeds over Burnley, but more importantly keeps them in the hunt for the final play-off spot.The Yorkshire side are now level on points with sixth-placed Nottingham Forest - who host Scunthorpe later on Saturday - ahead of the final day of the season, which sees United travel to league-leaders QPR.Burnley remain in the play-off picture, but trail Forest by two points and must now beat high-flying Cardiff in their final game and hope other results go in their favour.Leeds persisted with Billy Paynter in the absence of leading scorer Luciano Becchio, even though the striker has failed to offer as potent a goalscoring threat as the Argentine in recent weeks, and the big front man was involved early, firing a half-volley narrowly wide of goal as Leeds had the best of the opening exchanges.Having weathered the early storm, Burnley fashioned a great chance at the other end when Michael Duff ghosted behind the defence to latch on to a Chris Iwelumo flick-on from a free-kick, but home keeper Kasper Schmeichel blocked with his head.In order to assist Paynter, Leeds boss Simon Grayson gave McCormack his first start since January, and the Scot linked up well with his strike partner midway through the half, crossing for the former Swindon man to draw a scrambling save from Brian Jensen with a header.

This was a rare start for McCormack, but he demonstrated no rustiness in the 33rd minute when he latched onto a superb Bradley Johnson through ball and swept in past Jensen for his first goal since moving to Yorkshire from Cardiff eight months ago.

Having taken 10 points from their previous four games, Burnley were a side in form, and they almost hit back immediately when centre-back Andre Bikey flashed a header wide from Daniel Fox's inswinging corner.

Paynter had two great chances in the space of a minute early in the second half to extend Leeds's lead, but he headed the first, from a McCormack cross, straight at Jensen and put the second wide from a tight angle after taking the ball past the Burnley keeper.

Leeds kept coming and saw two other goalbound efforts denied by Jensen shortly after.

McCormack's free-kick from the right was met with power by Andy O'Brien six yards out, but his downward header was straight at the keeper and he was able to parry it away.

Then, seconds later, McCormack swivelled in the box and shot at goal but his bobbling effort was tipped onto the post and wide by the Dane.

Burnley were not out of the game though and Cork served warning of this when he fired a superb 30-yard effort just wide of the top corner of Schmeichel's goal.

The Leeds keeper had to be alert to tip a free-kick from substitute Wallace over the bar soon after, while at the other end Jensen produced further saves to deny McCormack and Jonny Howson.

Leeds substitute Sanchez Watt could have wrapped up the game on a couple of occasions with late efforts, but as it transpired one goal was enough for the home side.

I have a dream

12.45 Elland Road 30th April Leeds kick off against Burnley Leeds take an early lead but are then put under pressure as Burnley chase an equalizer however just before half time Leeds extend the lead through Max Gradel Half time Leeds 2 Burnley 0
Burnley come out for the second half desperate to get back in the game realizing defeat will end their own play off hopes they throw caution to the wind however after a period of sustained pressure Leeds break away and add a third Burley heads drop and Leeds add a fourth in the dying second.
Full-Time Leeds 4 Burnley 0
The result moves Leeds up to sixth on goal difference one goal ahead of Forest.
15.00 City Ground 30th April Nottingham Forest kick off against relegation threatened Scunthorpe after dominating the game for 20mins Forest are stunned when  Leeds United's on loan midfielder Ramon Nunez gives Scunthorpe a shock lead. Forest go in search of an equalizer but the game turns just before half time Nunez breaks away and is clean through however he is hauled down by the forest centre half  who is given a straight  red card. Nunez steps up to take the resulting free kick and curls it straight int the top corner 2-0 Scunthorpe!At half time news filters down to the Scunthorpe dressing room that relegation rivals Doncaster are 4-0 down to a Yakubu inspired Leicester City  this gives Scunthorpe a great lift meanwhile at the New Den Millwall Are being held 0-0 by Swansea. The second half kicks off Forest throw caution to the wind in an attempt to salvage something from the game but Nunez is now running the show he sets up a third  and in the dying seconds completes his hatrick as Scunthorpe run out shock 4-0 winners almost as big a shock as a few weeks earlier, when they amazingly thrashed Champions elect  QPR 4-1 at home.Meanwhile at the New Den Swansea have scrapped a 1-0 win against Millwall. Hull's play off hopes have gone with a 1-1 draw with Palace.
12.45 Loftus Road 7th May QPR kick off against Leeds having escaped with no points deduction and a £1.50 fine from the Football League.Forest Are also in London playing Palace at Selhurst Park .Meanwhile Millwall face Barnsley.The game kicks off Leeds start strongly but Qpr gradually gain a foothold.News filters through Millwall have scored and now move into the last play off place.Half time arrives.QPR 0 Leeds 0 Barnsley0 Millwall 1 Palace 0 forest 0.Millwall are in poll position.Second half kick off Leeds begin to gain  the upper hand but cant get a goal.Millwall extend their lead at Barnsley. Leeds are creating chances but still cant get the breakthrough. The game moves in to the final ten minutes. news filters through from Selhurst Park Forest have taken the lead they are now in the last play off place The game moves into three mins of injury time Goal but not for Leeds Palace have equalized Millwall now have the last play off place but wait dying seconds at Loftus Road "Mad" Max Gradel is breaking down the wing he crosses Billy Paynter rises like a salmon and heads the winner Leeds have made the play offs...............

McCormack prepared to battle for a place

Ross McCormack admitted today that he was in a worse position at Leeds United than he had been at Cardiff City – but claimed he still had time to make a success of his move to Elland Road.

The striker expressed frustration over a career in Leeds which he said was “still to get going” but revealed he had turned down a number of chances to leave the club on loan in order to fight for selection.

McCormack has not appeared in any of the squads chosen by Simon Grayson for United’s last three games but the club’s manager is contemplating his recall this weekend following McCormack’s resurgence in the reserves and the three-match suspension imposed on Billy Paynter earlier this month.

Grayson made one of the biggest investments of his tenure at Elland Road when he signed McCormack from Cardiff in August but, seven months on, the forward’s starts number four and his appearances 16. He has not scored for Leeds or played at all since their win at Bristol City on February 12.
Paynter, however, will begin his ban during Saturday’s Championship fixtures against Nottingham Forest, creating space on a bench which has recently offered no room for McCormack. Grayson signed Jake Livermore from Tottenham Hotspur on the last day of the emergency loan window.

It is a deal which could fill out United’s quota of substitutes once more, but seven goals in five reserve matches have revitalised McCormack’s prospects with eight games of the season remaining.

“I played 80 times in two years at Cardiff and I came here because I felt I wasn’t playing often enough,” McCormack said.

“In a way, I’m in a worse situation at Leeds because I’m not really playing at all but I’ve still got time to change that and I’m looking for a chance.

“I’ve had a few opportunities to go out on loan, in January and a couple of weeks ago, but it wasn’t what I wanted to do.

“This is where I want to be playing and, as a Scottish international and someone who’s seen a couple of Championship run-ins before, I think I can offer the team some decent experience.

“The move hasn’t gone as I imagined it would and I’m still to get going here. But the assistant manager (Leeds coach Ian Miller) was saying to me the other day that I look sharp and I seem as if I’ve got the bit between my teeth. That’s how I feel.”

That attitude had shone through in McCormack’s run of appearances for the club’s second string, for whom he is their leading scorer.

The forward missed a penalty in Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough – a result which might see Leeds relinquish the totesport.com League East Division title – but his finishing touch was in evidence earlier this month, culminating in four goals scored in a 6-0 rout of Hartlepool United.

The 24-year-old’s problem was the consistency of Grayson’s squad selection and the sheer number of players attempting to earn their manager’s approval.

Paul Connolly and Lloyd Sam were similarly unable to ensure their inclusion against Sheffield United on March 19 and Grayson is in possession of more professionals than he can fit into a matchday pool of 18.

But Paynter’s suspension, incurred by him for an alleged headbutt on Sheffield United’s Shane Lowry, has created one vacancy ahead of the visit of Nottingham Forest to Elland Road.

Beyond Paynter’s ban, Grayson’s decisions might also be dictated by the condition of those players who have been involved in international games since Leeds’ 2-0 defeat at Bramall Lane. McCormack said: “Billy’s out but that doesn’t mean I’ll automatically come in. The manager’s got other players to consider and he’s signed Jake Livermore so it’s not a foregone conclusion that I’ll be involved (against Forest). But I’m not just looking to get onto the bench. I really want to be starting games.

“I’ve done what I can to make myself noticed and all you can do in the reserves is score goals and help the team win games. The missed penalty was one of those things and it’s not the end of the world.

“We’d been practising penalties on Monday and I’ve got a thing about taking penalties in training. For whatever reason, I don’t like doing it. It sounds daft but, because of that, I knew I was going to miss (against Middlesbrough).

“But in the last couple of games I’ve been scoring goals and putting away my chances. I’d be confident of doing the same for the first team if I get the call.”

McCormack’s peripheral status at Elland Road created much interest in him in the run-up to the closure of the emergency loan window. Derby County made an attempt to take him to Pride Park and Scunthorpe United were similarly keen on signing McCormack in the short term.

Grayson had previously declared his intention to retain the Scot and was never likely to change his mind once Leeds ruled out an appeal against Paynter’s red card. Paynter was preparing to attend a club function in the Norwegian capital of Oslo while McCormack turned out against Boro, demonstrating his fitness and a willing attitude in a game of few chances. The early stages of McCormack’s time at Elland Road were affected by a minor injury but he has been available since October and said his absence could no longer be attributed to that problem.

“I’ve been fit for a long time,” he said. “I hear talk about how I’ve been struggling with injuries but I haven’t been injured since October.

“We’re almost in April now so to use that as a reason for me being out the team doesn’t really stand up.

“I’m well aware that a lot of other players have been in great form but I hope I’ve given myself a bit of a look-in.

“The best time to be involved is at this end of the season, when results really matter.

“I don’t know what’s in store for me but I want to play a part.”

Sheff Utd 2-0 Leeds

Should Leeds fail to make the play-offs, they will look back in anger on the curse of the Yorkshire derby.
They have dropped 12 points in games against Barnsley, Doncaster, Hull and struggling Sheffield United.
The form book went out of the window in a feisty encounter at Bramall Lane, and the Championship's top goalscorers failed to register while the division's lowest scorers netted twice.

Montgomery's low cross was prodded into his own net by Lichaj, then Quinn pierced the heart of the Leeds defence for substitute Bjorn Helge Riise to belt in the first goal of his loan spell from Fulham.
Leeds substitute Billy Paynter was sent off for violent conduct - an alleged butt on Shane Lowry, one of the former Leeds quartet.
Grayson said: 'That rounded off a bad day at the office. Billy said he didn't do it and he's not that sort of lad, but the DVD is inconclusive.'
The angry Leeds manager added: 'We are hugely disappointed because we got what we deserved. We didn't get going from the first kick.'
A beaming Adams said: 'From start to finish it was perfect. Leeds will have come expecting to win, but it's never that easy in football.
'We stifled Leeds, I had to get the players in the right frame of mind and they werwe certainly that.
'We know it is still going to be difficult to avoid relegation, but we have four home games to come.'

Leeds United 0 Ipswich 0

Leeds missed the chance to close in on the automatic promotion spots as they were held to a draw by Ipswich Town.
Swansea's defeat at Derby meant Leeds could have moved up to joint second in the table with a win but the hosts were frustrated by a host of wasted chances.
Billy Paynter, in particular, missed a host of opportunities and Town keeper Marton Fulop twice denied Max Gradel.
Lee Martin had Ipswich's best chance, the midfielder denied from close in as Town dug deep to snatch a draw.
It could prove a precious point for the visitors, too, as it moves them 12 points clear of the drop zone with 10 matches to play - but for Leeds it will certainly be considered two points dropped after they dominated much of the match and almost the entire second half.
The hosts were to be frustrated, though - just as they were the last time Ipswich visited Elland Road when they came away with a draw that all but relegated Leeds to League One in April 2007.
This time Town returned to Yorkshire looking over their shoulder at the drop zone against a Leeds side firmly in the hunt for promotion back to the Premier League.
Faced with the task of nullifying the Championship's top scorers and form home team, the visitors were at least able to field new signing Kieron Dyer and the fit-again Jimmy Bullard, while Leeds were unchanged on the back of two wins and an unbeaten league record at Elland Road stretching back to October.
And yet it was Ipswich who should have opened the scoring, Tamas Priskin put in on goal by Carlos Edwards inside the first 15 seconds of the match, only for the striker to fire wide of Kasper Schmeichel's upright.
It was to provide a glimpse of what to expect for the rest of the match from both sides, with Priskin wasting two more chances from decent positions and Leeds' Paynter - preferred to Luciano Becchio once again - particularly profligate for the hosts early on.
First the home frontman steered George McCartney's cross past the target when well placed and then, minutes after glancing a header wide from a short corner routine, saw his 16-yard snap-shot blocked well by Gareth McAuley when a firmer effort would surely have given Leeds the lead.
Gradel, too, had his chances - although the lively winger was unfortunate that his three shots on goal, all long-range, were twice saved well by Fulop, the other dipping inches wide towards the end of the first half.
Not that the visitors failed to pose a threat themselves, though, because either side of Priskin's skewed efforts on goal Martin brought a smart stop out of home keeper Schmeichel on the back of a fine Ipswich counter-attack.
If Ipswich could claim to have played their part in a lively first half, however, it was a different story in a second half, which was dominated by the hosts.
But, just as in the first 45 minutes, the Leeds players appeared to have left their shooting boots at home.
Jonathan Howson volleyed over, Robert Snodgrass clipped wide, Paynter saw a low shot saved on the stretch by Fulop and Andy O'Brien flashed wide from the edge of the area as Leeds created a host of chances without managing to convert.
Even the late introduction of Becchio and Barry Bannan failed to provide the necessary clinical finish to end the hosts' good build-up play and as the minutes ticked down, so did Leeds' momentum and ideas.
In the end they were forced to settle for a point that leaves them two points shy of second place but gives Ipswich a boost in their hunt for mid-table security by the end of the season.

Leeds v Ipswich time for Revenge

For the first time since the day they sent Leeds United down, Ipswich Town return to the scene of the crime at Elland Road, where the Whites will surely be plotting their revenge.Few fans of either Town or Leeds are likely to forget their last meeting at Elland Road in April 2007. Alan Lee's 88th-minute equaliser was infamously followed by scenes of angry chaos when a pitch invasion by home fans left players and officials dashing for the dressing rooms. When the match did finish half an hour late, the draw pretty much condemned Leeds to the third tier of English football for the first time in their history. How remarkable therefore that nearly four years later, the two meet at Elland Road again with the Championship's top scoring side potentially marching their way towards a second successive promotion into the top flight.
Ipswich come up against former  defenders Richard Naylor and Alex Bruce for the second time this season with the latter hoping for a rather better day than he had at Portman Road, where he was tormented by Andros Townsend until he eventually got himself sent off. It's also a reunion for new Town boss Paul Jewell and Leeds manager Simon Grayson, whose playing days saw him signed by Jewell at Sheffield Wednesday. However, the biggest blast from the past will surely be Kieron Dyer, who could make his second debut for Ipswich having made a surprise return to his hometown club on Friday after 12 years away.
More than just a few subplots for this encounter then, and there could be plenty of twists and turns yet as the story of the season edges closer and closer to its conclusion.
Ipswich manager Paul Jewell insists that his team still need to focus on picking up enough points to secure their Championship status before they can start thinking of next season. The Blues boss was disappointed with his team's display against Reading on Tuesday and will be looking for a major improvement from his players at Leeds on Saturday, especially when they are not in possession.

'We just want to consolidate this season, put it behind us and start building for next year, but we have got to make sure we get the points on the board first," Jewell told local reporters on Friday. 'When we were winning games, people were getting excited. Yet I was trying to keep a top hat on it.'

'Three wins will give us 54 points. That`s not being negative, that`s just being realistic. We were in a bit trouble when I first came here, and we are still not out of it."

One asset in securing those points could well be Kieron Dyer, who shocked Ipswich fans on Friday after returning on a one month loan deal. The West Ham United midfielder has long been considering coming back to Town and is now keen to make the most of his time back with his hometown club.

'They say 'never go back' but I've been getting itchy feet about coming here the last few years and when the opportunity came up to come back on loan, it was the perfect time,' Kieron told the Ipswich Town Official Website. 'I'm here for a month to play football, help the team move up the table and hopefully help the younger players as well.

'I've not played much football over the last few weeks so I'm not 100 per cent match fit yet but general fitness has never really been a problem for me and I'm looking forward to my time here

Leeds' success this season has relied upon attacking football . One of the major contributors to that approach has been winger Max Gradel, whose pace and trickery has proven a pest for any number of Championship defences. Since joining from Leicester City in 2009, the Ivorian international has notched up 20 goals and 10 assists in 63 league appearances. He seems to like scoring at Elland Road too, having netted a brace in each of Leeds' last two home matches.Leeds United manager Simon Grayson has no new injury problems for the visit of the Blues. Defender Paul Connolly has been sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained against Coventry City a month ago but may be included in the squad, whilst striker Luciano Becchio could be brought back into the starting lineup at the expense of Billy Paynter. There may also be a home debut for midfielder Barry Bannan, who joined the Whites on loan from Aston Villa earlier in the week

 Kieron Dyer looks set to go straight into the Ipswich Town lineup for the trip to Leeds after joining on loan on Friday. Paul Jewell was keen to add a midfielder to his squad ahead of the trip with several key players set to miss out. Jimmy Bullard is a doubt with the hamstring injury that kept him out of the midweek game against Reading whilst David Norris will serve the first game of a two match suspension after receiving his 10th booking of the season in that match. Colin Healy may also miss out again with the stomach tear he picked up against QPR, whilst Darren O'Dea will probably continue at left-back with Mark Kennedy not likely to return from his hamstring injury yet. Brian Murphy is still short of a return and there is still no news on midfielder Alan Quinn, who has been out all season with a groin problem.

Leeds United players under no pressure

Leeds will head into the final ten matches of the season with manager Simon Grayson insisting: We are not feeling the pressure.It is around this stage of the campaign that nerves can creep in, causing some surprising results.But with Paul Jewell’s Ipswich due at Elland Road tomorrow, Grayson said: “The fans are enjoying the season and we will continue to play with a smile on our face.“There are no nerves in the camp and the lads are in vibrant mood. They are buzzing, which was proved in the game against Doncaster when we scored five goals. That was the sign of a team enjoying what they were doing and not feeling the pressure.”

United, who climbed to fifth in the Championship with their 2-1 win at Preston on Tuesday night, are just three points behind second-placed Swansea.The race is on for an automatic promotion berth and the final two matches of the season are potentially crucial.In their penultimate fixture on Saturday, April 30, United have home advantage against a Burnley side who are currently seventh but with two games in hand.The final game is then at QPR, who have a seven-point advantage at the summit but offered hope to the chasing pack by surprisingly losing at Millwall on Tuesday.

Leeds’ run-in, with current positions in brackets, reads: Ipswich (16th) H, Sheffied United (22nd) A, Nottingham Forest (sixth) H, Millwall (12th) A, Derby (19th) A, Watford (11th) H, Reading (eighth) H, Crystal Palace (21st) A, Burnley (seventh) H, QPR (first) A.

A third successive victory tomorrow would provide a perfect start to the season’s last lap and Grayson said: “Eight or nine teams will think the automatic promotion spots and play-off places are up for grabs with 30 points still to play for.“I am sure it will go down to the last couple of matches. It is a ten-match season now. We have over-achieved, bearing in mind we were only promoted last May, but this is a great opportunity for us.”Grayson has to decide whether to restore leading scorer Luciano Becchio to the starting line-up after Billy Paynter scored his first goal for the club at Preston.Fit-again right back Paul Connolly is challenging Eric Lichaj for his place and midfielder Barry Bannan is in contention for a home debut.

Lichaj is due to return to Aston Villa after the game but Grayson says he is keen to extend the defender’s stay for as long as possible, if his parent club agree.

Grayson praises players

Leeds United manager Simon Grayson hailed his players performance at Preston on Tuesday after watching his side close the gap on second place in the npower Championship to just three points.
Goals from Neil Kilkenny and Billy Paynter, his first for the club, set United on the road to a 2-1 win at Deepdale, but the points were eventually secured on the back of a strong rearguard effort during the closing stages of the contest.
"We said to the players that it would be a test because they were scrapping," said Grayson. "They are a strong team.
"We knew we would have to scrap and it might be ugly, but we scored some good goals and dug a result out.
"They scored with a wonder goal - Humey can do that - but we dug in and got bodies in there, showed an ugly side and we did it really well.
"We knew Preston would put us on the back foot. They have some good players. We reacted in a real positive manner. If you get three points through battling and scrapping so be it."
Grayson had signalled his intentions with the capture of Aston Villa's highly-rated midfielder Barry Bannan on Monday, but his midfield responded to the new arrival and Kilkenny bagged his first league goal of the season before striker Paynter brought the house down with his first goal for the club.
"We have to raise the level of performance if we are to be successful and Killa scoring was delightful," said the boss.
"And we were delighted to see Billy score and you could tell from the reaction of the players - they all joined in - and the fans what it meant to all of them to see Billy score. It was a great strike.
"Everyone can see the effort he's put in. He's come on and done well in games, he's worked ever so hard, and taken his opportunity."

Preston 1 Leeds United 2

Promotion hopefuls Leeds climbed to fifth in the npower Championship table as goals from Neil Kilkenny and Billy Paynter saw them push Preston a step closer to relegation with a 2-1 win at Deepdale.Preston had started well at Deepdale as they looked to record a first league win in 14 games, but it was the visitors who opened the scoring through Kilkenny's fine strike.
Paynter then doubled the advantage and Iain Hume's goal was not enough to help Preston secure a point.The win moves Leeds above Nottingham Forest and they now lie just three points short of an automatic promotion place.
Preston are now 13 points adrift of safety and are in need of a miracle if they are to retain their Championship status.
Preston were boosted by the availability of keeper Andy Lonergan and defender Craig Morgan, who missed the draw with Norwich with a stomach bug.
They were also able to include on-loan Bolton man Ricardo Gardner while Leeds had their own loan signing, Aston Villa's Barry Bannan, on the bench.
Despite their precarious position Preston almost made a dream start as Keith Treacy's ferocious strike from the edge of the Leeds box cannoned back off the crossbar with Kasper Schmeichel well beaten.
Hume then fired over from distance as North End raced out of the traps.
Striker Chris Brown, who grabbed his first goal of the season against Norwich at the weekend, also went close but Schmeichel was able to gather his header.
Leeds captain Jonny Howson blazed over the bar on a rare foray forward for the play-off hopefuls but the hosts continued to look the more likely.
Schmeichel made an athletic save to deny a low Eddie Johnson drive before Gradel forced Lonergan to do likewise for Phil Brown's men.
Preston may have looked the more likely to grab an opener but they were stunned when the visitors took the lead against the run of play.
The ball fell to Kilkenny 20 yards out and he hammered the ball beyond Lonergan into the top right-hand corner in the 29th minute.
Paynter's shot was well blocked by Sean St Ledger as Leeds pressed for a second before Brown missed a glorious chance to level eight minutes before the break.
Hume's cross found the striker six yards out, but he somehow failed to hit the target.
Treacy again went close from distance upon the resumption but Schmeichel was again equal to the task.
Simon Grayson's men now looked far more assured and the lively Gradel was twice narrowly off target from the edge of the box, but Paynter's effort a few minutes later was on target and saw Leeds double their advantage in the 57th minute.
But Preston showed great spirit to respond just six minutes later.
Treacy picked out Hume and the former Barnsley man smashed the ball into the top corner to give the home side hope of salvaging something from the game.
Paynter could only hit the bar from close range from Gradel's cross, before the winger himself wasted a good chance by heading straight at Lonergan.
Bannan made his debut as a substitute and Preston pushed forward late on in search of a leveller but Leeds held out for the three points.

BOSS BACKS PAYNTER

Simon Grayson firmly believes striker Billy Paynter will be rewarded for all his hard work.
The summer signing from Swindon may still be searching for his first goal, but he has come agonisingly close to opening his account on more than one occasion and the boss is confident his goal will come.
Against Portsmouth at Christmas, he was denied when a goal-bound shot hit Davide Somma and on Saturday against Norwich he was denied by a fantastic save in the final moments by John Ruddy.
"Billy's a great lad," said the boss. "He has bags of enthusiasm.
"It was a great save which denied him on Saturday and it was one of those where it would probably have gone his way last season. Given what he did against us, he'd definitely have scored if it'd had been against us last season!
"His luck was probably summed up in training on Monday when he had an open goal and Snod blew for full time in the game!
"I'm sure that once he gets one the goals will fly in because he is a quality player. There's no pressure from us because we see how hard he works and we know he will get his rewards."
Like Billy and Davide Somma, Ross McCormack is another striker who is currently being named among the substitutes as Grayson enjoys a wealth of striking options.
"All the strikers have maybe been a bit unfortunate for different reasons," explained the boss.
"Billy had his injury when he came in and, like Ross McCormack, we were playing a 4-4-2, but our system has now changed.
"They both came in with big expectations from the fans, and they are both very, very good players who will score goals for us. I have no doubts about that, that's why I brought them in.
"They haven't been in the starting line-up and the team have done well, and it's great really when I turn to the bench and see Dave, Billy, Ross, and Lloyd Sam there. Sanchez Watt wasn't even on the bench on Saturday and he's another quality player.
"They are all players who can come into the team and do well."