Leeds in race to sign two targets as emergency loan window closes

Leeds United’s head coach is refusing to give up on his protracted pursuit of Bridcutt and will try to secure Lafferty from Norwich before the deadline for loan signings passes a week on Thursday.

Evans has been targeting Bridcutt for the past fortnight but Leeds failed to push through a deal before the start of the international break and Evans was unable to say last night whether the Sunderland midfielder would move to Elland Road in time for Saturday’s clash with Rotherham United.

Lafferty – the Northern Ireland striker who Leeds first identified as a potential signing while Uwe Rosler was head coach – is also on Evans’ radar having failed to feature heavily in Norwich’s Premier League season.

Lafferty was one of two Norwich strikers, along with Lewis Grabban, who attracted Evans’ interest after the Scot took charge as United boss but Grabban is understood to be reluctant to relocate to Leeds.

Evans, whose squad recorded back-to-back Championship wins over Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town before the international break, said: “My first job when I came here was to make sure that there was no relegation battle but I’ve personal views on where we can finish if we get the right players in.

“I’m still hopeful of getting a couple of deals done.”