Grayson in Lichaj talks

Simon Grayson has held talks with Aston Villa over the availability of Eric Lichaj as he looks to break Leeds United’s transfer impasse before their pre-season friendly at Falkirk.Grayson revealed that he had spoken to Villa manager Alex McLeish about a second deal with Lichaj after taking the defender on loan from the Birmingham club during the second half of last season.Lichaj made 16 appearances for Leeds in a largely successful spell at Elland Road and Grayson, whose transfer dealings are under growing scrutiny, is waiting to learn of McLeish’s plans for the American international.Grayson said: “I’ve spoken to Alex McLeish about him but they’ve only just gone back to training and Alex will want to assess his squad. But Eric’s high up on the list of players we’d like to bring in.”United’s boss has been pursuing his preferred targets throughout the summer but the acquisition of only one new player to date – goalkeeper Paul Rachubka – has attracted criticism from the club’s support.
Leeds depart for their pre-season tour of Scotland tomorrow, with their first friendly due to take place against Falkirk on Wednesday night, and Grayson is hoping to see further deals materialise before that fixture.

“We’re a long way down the line with a couple of deals,” he said. “I’d like to think that we’ll have a couple of new players, if not more, for the Scotland trip.

“Like all the fans, we want something to be happening. Ideally I’d like to have all my players in place for the middle of next week but it doesn’t always happen like that.

Grayson drops Lichaj hint

Leeds United manager Simon Grayson has hinted he could re-sign Aston Villa's Eric Lichaj if new manager Alex McLeish lets him leave.The USA international joined Leeds on loan from Villa Park last season and he made 16 Championship appearances as Grayson's troops finished just outside the play-off places.Lichaj operated in both full-back positions and Leeds' manager liked what he saw from the 22-year-old, who is seen as one for the future by Villa.The club now have a new man at the helm in ex-Birmingham boss McLeish and Grayson is keen to ascertain whether the Scot would be willing to let the defender depart on loan once again.
"Eric did really well last year and it could be an option if Aston Villa allow us to go down that route again," said Grayson. "But the new manager (Villa's Alex McLeish) might want to keep him there.

"If we're going to go with the loan scenario then I'd want the loans to be for the whole season. Then you know that you've got the player for that length of time.

"But the problem is that most clubs are reluctant to let fringe players out too early, unless they're really not figuring at all in pre-season."

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

Howson in Fitness battle

Leeds United manager Simon Grayson was running his eye over a full squad for the first time in almost a fortnight today, with doubts persisting over the fitness of captain Jonathan Howson.United’s preparation for their vital Championship clash with Nottingham Forest began in earnest this morning following the return to Thorp Arch of the players released for international duty.Neil Kilkenny, Eric Lichaj and Max Gradel were due to report back today, in time to make themselves available for the visit of Forest to Elland Road on Saturday, but Leeds were continuing to assess the hamstring strain which forced Howson to drop out of England’s Under-21 squad last week.The 22-year-old was called up for games against Denmark and Iceland having initially been placed on stand-by, but an injury sustained in Leeds’ 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United prevented his inclusion.Howson is the only ever-present in Grayson’s squad having appeared in all 42 of Leeds’ competitive fixtures this season, and United’s manager is hopeful that his current skipper will be available to feature in Saturday’s televised play-off battle with Forest.

Grayson’s international contingent appear to have returned to England unscathed, with Kilkenny and Gradel sitting as unused substitutes through matches involving Australia and the Ivory Coast respectively and Lichaj completing the final half-hour of the USA’s 1-0 loss against Paraguay. But Leeds chairman Ken Bates has voiced criticism of the arrangement of a spate of friendlies so close to the end of the domestic season.

Bates said: “They’re all bloody meaningless. As we’ve seen on TV, a few players have come back injured and it’s damaged their respective clubs’ run-ins to the end of the season. Most of these friendlies are useless and for making money.”

Grayson will be without Billy Paynter on Saturday as the striker begins a three-match suspension, but Patrick Kisnorbo is the only other senior professional certain to miss the meeting with Forest.

Leeds were expecting ticket sales for the game to pass 30,000 today, the sixth time this season that the attendance at Elland Road has exceeded that figure

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.'

DEFENDER'S LOAN EXTENDED

A deal has been agreed with Aston Villa for Eric Lichaj to remain on loan with the club until May 7.
The defender played the final game of his initial loan period against Ipswich Town at Elland Road on Saturday, but an extension has now been agreed with Villa having the option of a 24-hour recall.
Eric has made seven appearances since his arrival and United manager Simon Grayson has been impressed.
"Eric has done well since he came here," said the United boss. "He's showed his qualities and he gives us good competition in the right-back area.
"We're delighted Villa have agreed to allow him to remain here until the end of the league season."
The American was originally signed following an injury to regular right-back Paul Connolly. The summer signing is now close to full fitness, following a hamstring injury, but he is also one further booking away from a two-match ban.
Lichaj is one of two Aston Villa players on loan at the club with midfielder Barry Bannan, who stepped off the bench for his second appearance during the 0-0 draw with Ipswich on Saturday, on loan until the end of the season.

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.

Injuries may force changes

Leeds United boss Simon Grayson could be set to re-shuffle his pack at Preston on Tuesday as he weighs up his injury doubts ahead of the game.
Striker Luciano Becchio and central defender Andy O'Brien were both withdrawn during Saturday's win against Doncaster after picking up knocks, while defender Eric Lichaj also picked up a knock in the 5-2 win.
On the plus side, Grayson has welcomed new signing Barry Bannan to the ranks - the Scotland international trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Monday after joining on loan - and Paul Connolly and Lloyd Sam are both pushing for places in the squad.
Both players completed over an hour in the reserves on Monday afternoon, and the arrival of Bannan from Aston Villa plus the returning duo, gives Grayson plenty of food for thought for the trip to Deepdale.
"We've got a few knocks from the weekend, but we'll assess everyone on Tuesday morning," said the boss.
"Obviously we're delighted to bring Barry in, and Conns and Lloyd both played an hour in the reserves which is good news.
"We'll have a look and whatever we go with will be a fit, strong team for what will be a tough game.
"Preston have done well over the past few weeks under Phil Brown, and there's the Yorkshire-Lancashire thing as well about the game so it'll be a lively atmosphere and we won't be underestimating them."

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.

Lichaj Likes Leeds

Leeds United loanee Eric Lichaj hopes he can remain with the club for the rest of the season.
The 22-year old US defender is on a month's loan from Premier League club Aston Villa but says he would love to stay in a first team environment which he does not experience all that often at Villa Park.

"There were two other teams who were interested and then Leeds came in and right away I just decided to go there," he told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

"Leeds are a bigger (Championship) club than the other two who were interested. Right now, I'm desperate for some games and that's why I'm here.

"It actually started off well (at Villa) in pre-season - I got my first start for Aston Villa and the US national team as well - but now I'm here I want to play some games for the rest of this season.

"The manager (Gerard Houllier) said he wanted me out on loan to get some games and obviously he's brought in a few players and I just need to get some games and hopefully change his mind in the future.

"I just want to be playing and this is a great club and I'd like to stay until the end of the season, if possible. I'm open-minded.

"I've been out on loan before, but coming to Leeds is a different level and there's more quality (in the Championship) and you could just tell in the (Bristol) game."

Lichaj to join Leeds on loan

Aston Villa defender Eric Lichaj has been loaned out to Championship promotion chasers Leeds United for a month, MLSsoccer.com has learned.

The 22-year-old Illinois native has worked five Premier League contests for the Villians this season, but none since a rough outing in their late December loss at Manchester City.

Lichaj, who is signed at Villa Park through 2013, was publicly criticized by manager Gerard Houllier after the 4-0 defeat. With fellow youngsters Ciaran Clark and Kyle Walker performing well, the American has now been shipped to Elland Road for playing time.

The US international had successful short loan spells with lower league sides Leyton Orient and Lincoln City last season.

Leeds are attempting to become the first club to rise to the Premier League on consecutive promotions since Manchester City did it in 2001. The Whites stand sixth in the table and three points shy of an automatic promotion slot through 30 games ahead of Saturday's visit to Bristol City.

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