Naylor to leave Elland Road

Leeds club captain Richard Naylor will leave the club when his contract expires later this summer.

The Leeds-born 34-year-old is out of contract in June and cannot be guaranteed first-team football.

Manager Simon Grayson said: "I'd like to thank Richard for everything he has done during his two-and-a-half years with us. He's been a great captain for the club, both on and off the field and I can't speak highly enough of him and what he has done.

"There was no one prouder than Richard last May when we won promotion back to the Championship and he has played a big, big role in the turnaround of this football club.

"Unfortunately, we're not in a position where I can offer Richard regular football now and allowing him to move on will give him the best possible opportunity elsewhere."

Meanwhile, Leeds have confirmed the departure of Arsenal striker Sanchez Watt, who made 26 appearances for the club during his season-long loan. Fellow loanees Jake Livermore (Tottenham), Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa), George McCartney (Sunderland) and goalkeeper David Gonzalez (Manchester City) have all returned to their parent clubs.

Grayson keen to tie up Johnson

Grayson allays Lichaj recall fears

SIMON GRAYSON has allayed fears Leeds United could lose loan defender Eric Lichaj due to an injury scare at his parent club Aston Villa.The right-back has slotted in seamlessly into the United backline in the past two games in the absence of hamstring victim Paul Connolly.Some concerns had arisen that Lichaj, who joined on a month’s loan on February 9, could be recalled early by Premier League Villa with right-sided defender Carlos Cuellar out until mid-March with a hamstring injury.But Luke Young has just returned to full training at Villa Park after a knee problem and is now set to challenge Kyle Walker for the right-back berth.

Grayson has also scotched talk keeper David Gonzalez could return to Manchester City following injury concerns regarding Eastlands no.2 Shay Given.He said: “Eric isn’t a problem because we’ve got him for at least 28 days; you can’t recall a player back before that. “Sometimes, in difficult situations, goalkeepers can be recalled.“But I know Manchester City have Stuart Taylor there already and we’ve had no information or calls from the respective clubs and hopefully we don’t.“Eric has done well for us and settled very quickly into the team and David is just waiting for an opportunity to get into the (matchday) 18.”

Meanwhile, United report no new fresh injury concerns ahead of tonight’s derby with Barnsley.

The Reds are without influential defender Stephen Foster this evening, along with 2009-10 player of the year Hugo Colace.

Also on the crocked list for the visitors are defenders Jay McEveley and Luke Potter.

Ex-United striker Andy Gray and Garry O’Connor are pushing for starts.

Man City to recall Gonzalez from Leeds

Manchester City goalkeeper David Gonzalez is set for a recall.

Gonzalez joined Leeds United on-loan earlier this month.

But injury concerns for Shay Given have forced a rethink from City manager Roberto Mancini.
Given could be facing surgery on his shoulder, boss Roberto Mancini has revealed.

Given, who has struggled with a dislocated shoulder in the past, was absent from City's bench during their 5-0 win over Notts County in the FA Cup on Sunday, and Mancini revealed that he is set to discover the extent of his injury this week.

The Italian boss said: "He has a shoulder problem and next week he will go to the doctor in London to see if he needs surgery."

The Republic of Ireland international is yet to start a Premier League game so far this season, having lost his place to Joe Hart, who returned from a successful loan spell at Birmingham last season.

The Mirror says Mancini is now going to recall reserve Gonzalez from his loan spell at Leeds United to give him cover for Joe Hart.