Exclusive: Leeds will need to move quickly if they are to make sure Kenny opts for reunion with Warnock

The former Sheffield United goalkeeper is set to leave Queens Park Rangers this summer and was sounded out about a possible move to Elland Road several weeks ago.

A host of other clubs are also interested, including Ipswich Town, but Halifax-born Kenny has indicated to friends that a return to his native county and a reunion with Warnock, under whom he played at both Bramall Lane and Loftus Road, is his preferred option.

The 34-year-old, who is available due to the imminent arrival at Rangers of England international Rob Green, had hoped for the deal to be all but done by his scheduled return from holiday today.

However, the on-going discussions over possible investment in Leeds mean the club’s transfer dealings have had to be put on hold over the past three weeks.

That has alerted other would-be suitors for the Rangers goalkeeper, who has made it clear to all parties that he wants the situation to be resolved by the end of June at the latest.

Warnock, too, is keen to clarify when United can give him the go-ahead to step up his attempts to make Kenny his second signing of the summer and flew out to Monaco yesterday to speak at length with chairman Ken Bates.

The Leeds manager has had a frustrating start to his rebuilding plans with the “two or three” captures he had hoped to make having failed to materialise before heading off on his own holiday to the Caribbean last month.

Instead, he managed to bring in just one, Portsmouth captain Jason Pearce, as Joel Ward opted to join Crystal Palace from Pompey rather than wait for Leeds to resolve the talks over a possible cash injection.

Former Doncaster Rovers midfielder Paul Green was another Warnock wanted to snap up on a free transfer from Derby County last month and Huddersfield Town are now trying to hijack the move.

Former Terriers full-back Lee Peltier is another believed to be on the Elland Road radar, though the Leicester City man said yesterday that he had not been informed of any interest from rival clubs and was “looking forward” to returning to pre-season training with the Foxes.

United will today join their 10 fellow Yorkshire clubs in discovering the identity of their first-round opponents in the newly-sponsored League Cup.

Warnock’s men are among the seeded sides so could be drawn against Bradford City, Rotherham United or League newcomers York City.

In a throwback to three decades ago, the knockout competition will serve as the curtain raiser to the new season as the start of the Championship, League One and League Two campaigns have been put back due to the Olympics being held in London.

As a result, the Capital One Cup ties will take place in the week beginning August 13 with the league action getting under way the following weekend.

Only Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers, the two highest placed of the 72 Football League clubs last term, will be exempt until the second round.

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