Warnock’s mission to keep hold of Leeds forward

The Scottish international is in the final year of his existing deal and has been interesting a host of clubs, including Huddersfield Town and Crystal Palace.

However, United manager Neil Warnock wants to keep a striker who netted 19 goals last season to finish as the club’s top scorer and has revealed that further talks are planned after tonight’s friendly at Burton Albion.

“I really want Ross to stay,” said the Leeds chief when speaking to the Yorkshire Post last night in his office at Thorp Arch. “But I also want him to be happy and it would be great if we could agree a contract. Ross has been great in pre-season, really excellent.

“I get the impression he is really enjoying himself. But, like everything in life, you need that security and, hopefully, we can give Ross that. We will speak to Ross again this week and, hopefully, sort something out. Ross knows I want him to stay.”

Warnock’s desire to keep hold of McCormack has grown even stronger since last month’s departure of captain Robert Snodgrass to Norwich City.

The Scot netted 13 goals last term to finish as the club’s second highest scorer behind his fellow countryman. Snodgrass also led the way in terms of assists to underline the pivotal role he played for Leeds last term.

And with Warnock admitting he wants to further bolster his frontline before the Championship season gets under way, holding on to McCormack has become a priority.

On his attempts to rebuild the squad, the United chief said: “The summer has probably been as hard as any I’ve had in my career.

“It is only in the last 48 hours that I can see that I have a team who I believe will be competitive, home and away.

“We may, in my opinion, still be short of a few goals but we are in a healthy state. Put it this way, I don’t think teams will want to play against us. And that always has to be the starting point.

“Then you have to build on that. The back area has improved this summer, so has the midfield. But now we have to improve our goal threat.

“Ideally, I’d like to get another striker in before Wolves (at home on August 18) and with Snodgrass having left then I’d like someone who can play wide as well.

“On Saturday (against Preston in a friendly Leeds won 3-1), I played Paul Green out there and he did ever so well.

“Aidy White has also played out wide and done well. He is keen and enthusiastic, too.

“But at home you need that little bit more flair. Losing Snodgrass, undoubtedly, makes my job a bit harder. We need another finisher. Things are in the pipeline.”

A host of names have been linked with Leeds this summer, including former Elland Road hero Jermaine Beckford, West Ham’s Nicky Maynard and Craig Mackail-Smith.

With the protracted takeover still ongoing as the interested group continue due diligence, the kind of financial commitment that would be required to sign any of the trio is likely to prohibit a deal.

Warnock, however, continues to wheel and deal in terms of getting surplus players out the door with Billy Paynter last night undergoing a medical at Doncaster Rovers.

Following on from last week’s departure of Andy O’Brien to Vancouver Whitecaps, Paynter’s departure is likely to free up some funds in terms of wages even though it is believed Leeds will continue to contribute to both players’ salaries until next summer when their Elland Road contracts were due to run out. Ramon Nunez, Paul Connolly and Paul Rachubka have also been told to find another club.

Warnock said: “There has been interest so we will see what happens. I want more goals so I may try to further manipulate my squad a bit.”

United have made 10 signings this summer and supporters will tonight get their first glimpse of the two most recent arrivals at Burton. Rodolph Austin, the Jamaican midfielder who has joined from SK Brann, is likely to start after arriving in England on Sunday night, while former Huddersfield Town full-back Lee Peltier is also set for his bow.

Warnock said: “Austin has got a good engine, is good in the air and can play centre-half as well as midfield. He can also play full-back so having him around will be great. But I also have to say that he can be at his best when breaking attacks up.

“He reminds me of (Claude) Makelele at Chelsea, he is that type of player. A Shaun Derry type, if you like, always snapping at the opposition.

“When QPR went up, (Adel) Taarabt and (Alejandro) Faurlin were great but we could not have done it without the Shaun Derrys of this world and the Clint Hills and the Paddy Kennys.

“You have to have them in place to get where you want to be.

“As for Lee Peltier, he can’t wait. I took him on the pitch after the Preston game. I grabbed him and walked him over to the fans. I then pointed to Lee and the fans went bananas.

“He was stunned at the reception.”

Michael Brown has agreed a new one-year contract to remain at Elland Road.

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