Leeds United will quickly put Sam Byram's exit behind them '“ Stuart Dallas

Sam Byram this week followed a well-trodden path by leaving Elland Road for the Premier League after West Ham United pipped Everton in the chase for the 22-year-old’s signature in a £3.7m deal.

It had been clear from the moment owner Massimo Cellino went public in the autumn with his criticism of the well-liked Academy graduate that a parting of the way was inevitable.

That, of course, did little to ease the sense of disappointment felt by fans at seeing Byram join Jonny Howson, Robert Snodgrass, Jermaine Beckford et al in stepping up the football ladder, leaving United behind.

The players, too, were sorry to see Byram go, but Stuart Dallas insists there will be no hangover tomorrow when Leeds return to action at home to Bristol City.

“I don’t think there has been much of an effect,” said the Northern Ireland international.

“Everyone wishes him well and he is still regarded here as a close friend to everyone.

“The transfer was talked about a lot (outside the club) but, to be fair to Sam, he came in and worked hard every day.

“He was playing well, but he has gone and we move on. This is about us as a team, as players come and go all the time.

“Moving on is part and parcel of football.

“This is a massive club and it is a privilege to play here. We have got a very good squad, capable of being better and higher in the league.

“A couple of weeks ago, we were 12th or 13th and a win could have moved us into the top half. Now, all of a sudden, we are 17th. Hopefully, we can start another run.”

United’s already faint hopes of forcing their way into the play-offs were dealt a likely fatal blow last week by back-to-back defeats against Ipswich Town at Portman Road and Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Assistant manager Paul Raynor admitted as much yesterday when standing in for Steve Evans at the club’s weekly media briefing due to the head coach being otherwise engaged at Elland Road, discussing potential incoming transfers in the wake of Byram’s exit.

On the recruitment front, two written bids have been submitted by United this week with one deal possibly being done before the weekend.

Marcus Maddison of Peterborough United is someone who Evans has enquired after recently, while Celtic midfielder Tom Rogic and Norwich City striker Kyle Lafferty remain on United’s radar.

Lee Tomlin is another heavily linked with Elland Road in recent days amid speculation of a cash-plus-player exchange deal that Bournemouth are eager to push through for highly-rated midfielder Lewis Cook.

United, however, are keen to hold on to Cook, who for the second consecutive season has been one of the shining lights in a team that seems destined for another mid-table finish.

On the hunt for new faces, Raynor added: “There are two written bids out there. I know the manager has been in contact with a club and also made a verbal bid to a club so things are happening.”

As for how United can keep hold of prize assets such as Cook and Charlie Taylor, Raynor replied: “You hopefully tie them down to longer contracts.

“You are hopefully challenging at the top end of the table so that they don’t want to leave.

“The ultimate prize is playing in the Premier League. When I was a youngster, you want to play at the highest level you can. You want to play in the Premier League.

“It doesn’t look like it is going to happen this year at Leeds so, fair play to Sam, he’s gone to pastures new. That happens.

“What we need to try and do is tie these lads to longer contracts and hopefully they see that we’re moving forward as a club with myself and the gaffer, to go onto bigger and better things.”