Leeds United: Austin’s ‘not for sale, at all costs’ - Redfearn

Wigan have been linked with a double swoop for both midfielder Austin and centre-back Jason Pearce and Redfearn confirmed on Thursday that Pearce had not trained with Leeds and hinted that his departure could be imminent.

However, United’s head coach passionately declared it would be a bad move to sell Austin, stating the Jamaican had a key role to play in both holding his place in the United first team while also helping with the development of young stars such as Lewis Cook, Alex Mowatt, Charlie Taylor and Sam Byram.

An improving United return to action on Saturday at Championship rivals Huddersfield Town and Redfearn said: “Obviously I want to try and keep our better players and for me these are the sort of players that are going to benefit us for years to come.

“We’ve got a young squad and the good seniors we need to keep.

“Rudy has been in the side and, for me, he is not for sale, at all costs.

“We want to try and keep Rudy because you look at your Cooks and your Taylors and your Byrams and your Mowatts and you need your Rudy Austins in there to give them that lift and give them that experience.

“The point of the matter is if we are climbing and we are building then you keep your better players and you add better players to it.

“You don’t let your better players go, simple as.”

Asked if Pearce was heading for Wigan, Redfearn admitted: “Perhaps. Obviously Wigan have shown a great interest in Jason and it might be that that’s the case.”