I can replace old boy Beckford, says match-winner

GOAL-SCORING hero Davide Somma has pledged to fill the void left by Jermaine Beckford's departure from Leeds United.

The 25-year-old marked his Football League debut for Leeds by coming off the bench to net two dramatic late goals against Millwall.

Somma joined United in the summer of 2009 after being released by MLS side San Jose Earthquakes but made just one appearance last season, as a substitute against Darlington in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy second round.

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Even then, the South African only lasted six minutes before being forced out of the action by a hamstring injury.

Somma subsequently moved to Lincoln City on loan in February and netted nine goals in 14 outings to keep the Imps clear of relegation trouble.

Now back at Elland Road, the striker wants to fill the void caused by Beckford joining Everton in the summer after netting 71 goals in 126 league appearances.

Asked about whether he considered himself as a possible replacement, Somma said: "That is asking a lot of me – but why not?

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"Anyone is capable of doing it here. We have got a brilliant team and brilliant staff. I scored nine goals in 14 games for Lincoln and that is the sort of strike-rate I am looking for here, maybe more.

"After a whole year at Leeds, it is great to be scoring goals at last. You have to make an impact when you get the chance because it might make the gaffer change the team. This has given him another option.

"I really hope I can be a

20-goal striker at this level and I will give everything to do that."

Somma's career started at Perugia in Italy but he failed to make an appearance before the Serie A side folded. He stayed in Italy to play for Pro Vasto and Olbio before moving to the US to join San Jose.

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It was, however, last season's loan move to Lincoln that he believes has kick-started his career.

Somma, who missed the opening three games through suspension, said: "After a whole year being injured and on loan I am just happy to be back and scoring.

"I took the confidence I got from Lincoln. (Manager) Chris Sutton taught me a lot about how to make runs and never to switch off.

"That was in League Two but against Millwall I proved it can happen in the Championship.

"It was disappointing to miss the first three games. I got sent off for head-butting a guy on the last game of last season. I was just having a conversation and he went down on the ground."