Warnock Begins Leeds Clear-out

Leeds United manager Neil Warnock has said that he intends to release those players that are not part of his plans for next season sooner rather than later to give them the opportunity to sort out their own future.Warnock has promised a clear out of those players who are not part of his long-term plans and he started on Monday by terminating the contracts of Ben Parker and Mika Vayrynen who were both out of contract in the summer.Speaking on Yorkshire Radio, Warnock said, "There is going to be quite a lot of movement over the next few weeks and in the summer."We might as well do things now, when I know they will not form part of my plans. It is going to be the same over the next few weeks. I am going to try to give everybody the opportunity to get themselves fixed up with another club if I am not going to keep them. I have always tried to do that."

The Leeds boss has a number of players out of contract in the summer including Maik Taylor and Lloyd Sam who are currently out on loan with Millwall and Notts County respectively.

There are also a number of players with first team experience this season who are also coming to the end of their current deals at Elland Road.

Aidy White, Michael Brown, Mikael Forssell, Danny Webber and Alex Bruce are out of contract whilst Darren O`Dea and Paul Robinson will come to the end of their loan deals.

Young twins Nathan and Lewis Turner who have yet to feature in the first team for Leeds will also be out of contract after signing their first professional deals last summer.

Match Report Watford 1-1 Leeds

Simon Grayson was forced into shuffling his pack for the trip to Watford with skipper Jonny Howson sidelined with a knee injury and Michael Brown still feeling the effects of a knock on the ankle.The changes meant for a change of system with Danny Pugh operating in a central midfield role, alongside Adam Clayton while Andy Keogh partnered Becchio in the front line.It was a quite an open start to the contest with both sides looking to drive forward when in possession. Watford got in a couple of early crosses while Robert Snodgrass had one shot blocked when he was given space on the edge of the box.Pugh also lifted a shot over the top in the 11th minute after more good attacking play by Leeds. At the other end Marvin Sordell screwed a shot wide after he found space to create an opening.United threatened again when Snodgrass was again given space, but his shot from distance was wide of the mark. Snodgrass also delivered two good corners, the second of which Tom Lees narrowly failed to connect with.United won a series of corners, but when Watford broke after one Leeds attack, Michael Kightly was able to capitalise on some sloppy defending and after advancing, he lashed the ball beyond the reach of Alex McCarthy.While Leeds had been good enough in possession, Watford looked equally good with the ball and were causing United problems with good movement.United did have an opportunity to get back in the game on 40 minutes, but Snodgras bent a shot wide of the past when, despite goalkeeper Scott Loach being drawn, there were four Watford men on the line.Luciano Becchio was also denied following a good cross from the right as the game headed towards half-time, whjile Andy Keogh looked to referee Eddie Ilderton after going down in the box while trying to force an opening.Lloyd Sam also put an effort wide right on the stroke of half-time after more good work by Keogh.The second half opened up as a stop-start affair. Becchio did lift an ambitious attempt over the top from distance while the hosts also sent a shot wide of the mark after again finding good space.McCarthy also had to get down well to save a low effort from Troy Deeney while Sordell lifted a shot over the bar after capitalising on some sloppiness at the back.
Shortly after the hour, Grayson made a double change, introducing Mika Vayrynen and Ross McCormack. It also prompted a change in system with Aidy White and Snodgrass moving into advanced wide roles.There was no immediate impact with the changes as Watford continued to look the more likely side. White was thwarted on one advancing run and with 15 minutes remaining Snodgrass was crowded out as he looked to progress on the edge of the box.But as the game headed towards the final five minutes, United were looking increasingly unlikely in the bid to force an equaliser with Watford looking well organised and resolute.A rare hashed clearance allowed Becchio a half-chance, but the striker's first time shot was wide of the mark.And with two minutes remaining, Sordell went down under pressure from Kisnorbo and Watford were awarded a penalty. Sordell stepped up, but McCarthy got a vital fingertip and pushed his penalty onto the post.Moments later, the United keeper made another excellent save and Leeds were facing three minutes of added time in the hope of salvaging a draw.But there was drama in the 94th minute at the other end when Mika Vayrynen was brought down and Ilderton awarded Leeds a penalty. Snodgrass was the man who stepped up and he made no mistake in smashing home an equaliser with the last kick of the game to send the 2,000 travelling fans into ecstasy.

Vayrynen Misses Burnley Game

Finnish international Mika Vayrynen will miss Saturday's trip to Burnley after undergoing groin surgery.
Vayrynen sat out the clash at Leicester two weeks ago and was also withdrawn from the Finland squad for the friendly against Denmark earlier this week.United boss Simon Grayson confirmed: "Mika had an op after the Leicester game so he won't be back for Saturday. We wouldn't rush someone back from surgery too quickly."
The boss also confirmed he has a number of other injuries ahead of Saturday's trip to Turf Moor.
"We've got a few lads who only trained for the first time on Thursday after coming daback from various knocks and injuries picked up so we'll have to see how everyone is come the weekend."
Two players who have returned fit and well after international duty are Darren O'Dea and Andy Keogh, who were part of the Irish squad, who qualified for next summer's European Championships.
"They were back with us for the first time on Thursday and are both okay," said the boss. "It's good recognition for everyone and it'll be great if they are involved."

Snodgrass 50-50 for Rovers clash

Leeds winger Robert Snodgrass is hoping to shake off an ankle injury in time for Friday night's clash at Doncaster.Snodgrass was forced to withdraw from the Scotland squad last week due to a problem aggravated in Leeds' 1-0 win over Portsmouth in their last match, but the Scot could still play a part in the Yorkshire derby.
Manager Simon Grayson has no other new injury or suspension concerns and expects all his international players to be in contention.Central defender Darren O'Dea and striker Andy Keogh have reported back fit from Republic of Ireland duty while forward Mikael Forssell and midfielder Mika Vayrynen were scheduled to return to training on Thursday having featured for Finland in their Euro 2012 qualifiers against Hungary and Sweden.
Left-back Aidy White has been away with the Republic of Ireland Under-21s and fellow defender Charlie Taylor is hoping to be in the squad having been included in Noel Blake's England Under-19s squad for a tournament in France.

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Reserves Defeat Middlesbrough

Goals from Will Hatfield and Dominic Poleon secured Leeds United a behind-closed-doors win against Middlesbrough at Thorp Arch on Tuesday.Finnish internationals Mike Vayrynen and Mikael Forssell both featured in the game along with fellow senior pros Paul Rachubka and Paul Connolly.Vayrynen again impressed in midfield alongside Simon Lenighan while Ross Killock looked strong at centre-half, partnering Lewis Turner.
United boss Simon Grayson said: "It was another opportunity for the players to get some time on the pitch. It was largely a young side, but in the case of the senior boys, it was important for them in terms of match fitness."
United: Rachubka (Grimes 60), Connolly (Gimple 60), Killock, L.Turner, Taylor, Trialist (Mowatt 60), Vayrynen (Byram 60), Lenighan, N.Turner, Forssell (Poleon60 ), Hatfield.

Leeds Sign Finnish International

Leeds United have signed Finnish international Mika Vayrynen..

The former PSV Eindhoven player has signed a one year contract with the club with a further year’s option.

The 29-year-old, who has been capped 54 times by Finland, was a free agent after leaving Dutch Eredivisie side Hereenveen in the summer.

Simon Grayson told the club website: “We’re delighted to sign Mika. There were good offers from other clubs on the continent, but has turned them down because of his ambition to play for Leeds and be successful here.

“He can play as an attacking midfielder or as a holding midfielder and he’s delighted to get the opportunity to come her.

Leeds to sign Finland international Vayrynen

Leeds United remain in the hunt to sign Finnish international Mika Vayrynen – as they aim to bolster their depleted central midfield ranks.The former PSV Eindhoven player, 29, is a free agent after leaving Dutch Eredivisie side Hereenveen in the summer and is understood to have spoken with Leeds officials over the weekend.But United face stiff competition to sign Vayrynen, capped 54 times by Finland, from Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzberg, who expressed their interest in signing the free agent earlier this month.United are desperate to boost their squad options and are also interested in bringing old boy Danny Pugh, able to operate at left-back or on the left-hand side of midfield, back to the club on loan after the 28-year-old utility man was left out of Stoke City’s 25-man squad last week by Potters boss Tony Pulis.Vayrynen, linked with Rangers and Derby County earlier in his career, was on the bench for Finland in their Euro 2012 qualifying double-header to Holland and Moldova last week, coming on in both matches.Regarded as a defensive midfielder, Vayrynen largely played in a 4-2-3-1 formation – successfully employed by United last term – at previous club Hereenveen.