Leeds set sights on England starlet

Upson, 34, is available on a free transfer following his release by Stoke City and looks likely to move into the Championship permanently after finishing last season on loan at play-off semi-finalists Brighton.

Albion are yet to make a move for Upson with the club’s manager, Gus Poyet, suspended from The Amex Stadium and likely to part company with the club after a recent fall-out with Brighton’s board of directors.

Leeds boss McDermott plans to recruit another centre-back and has already been credited with an interest in Bolton Wanderers’ Matt Mills and Reading’s out-of-contract defender Alex Pearce.

Pearce is on the radar of Liverpool, Newcastle United and Cardiff City, however, and Mills would cost Leeds a fee of at least £750,000.

The former Reading captain is out of favour at the Reebok Stadium after only one season with Bolton but he is tied to a lucrative and lengthy contract.

McDermott has made progress with the attacking end of his team this week, closing out a deal to sign Matt Smith from Oldham Athletic and lining up the arrival of Noel Hunt.

United are close to meeting Hunt’s wage demands – thought to be around £12,000 a week – after a spate of negotiations and the Republic of Ireland striker is expected to officially join Leeds when his deal at Reading runs out on June 30.

• Keep abreast of news from your club, plus complete live match data and stats, with our new FREE apps. Versions for iPhone and Android.