Leeds United: Warnock will have to rely on loan deals after all

Ten permanent signings have arrived at Elland Road this summer with El-Hadji Diouf also having been offered a 12-month contract earlier this week.

However, with 12 players having departed – Robbie Rogers yesterday becoming the latest to leave, on loan to League One Stevenage – Warnock’s squad, which yesterday lost Paul Green for up to eight weeks with a knee injury, looks paper thin just a week into the new season.

He added: “I would love to bring three or four top-class players in, make no mistake about that.

“I could tell you three or four now. I even enquired about one on Wednesday but another Championship club has offered a lot more money than we could afford, even if we were in the market.

“We are up against it in the league this season because if one of those five or six clubs who are splashing out now comes in for players, you’re not going to be able to get them.

“I can’t see anything changing before the deadline unless the takeover is finalised and I know there are still on-going talks.”

In recent seasons, United have been heavily reliant on the loan market with no less than eight short-term signings passing through Elland Road last season.

Warnock stated at the start of the summer that he wanted to avoid packing his squad with loanees.

However, with money set to 
remain scarce unless the protracted takeover saga reaches a successful conclusion, the Leeds chief has now admitted that the club may have to dip into the temporary market.

“I think they will now be loans from the Premier League, once their 25 (man squads) are registered on September 1. There are a number of good players we can bring in but the finances will dictate as and when that happens.”

Warnock had acknowledged in Monday’s Yorkshire Post that United did not possess the strength in depth required to prosper in the Championship, using the squad lists that appear in the matchday programme as proof.

He said “You look at the programme and the difference between the number of names in our squad compared to Wolves was massive. A bit of an embarrassment really.”

Asked at his press briefing ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Peterborough United if Leeds had the squad to see the club through a 46-game season, Warnock replied: “No, not a cat in hell’s chance.

“I’m not just saying it to scaremonger. For example, if we went to Peterborough and lost (Jason) Pearce and (Rodolph) Austin, I don’t really know where we would turn to at the moment.

“But a lot of clubs are like that. You lose two or three main players and it is a problem. It would be great for me to sign three or four good players on loan or permanently but it is not to be.

“All managers know what the situation is at their club and that is why as a manager, all you can do is do your best. We have to try to put out a team who will give everything and get every ounce of energy out of them.

“When they don’t come up with that, it disappoints me.”

Talks have taken place between United and Diouf’s representatives and a 12-month offer was made to the former Senegal striker on Wednesday.

Warnock added: “They have been mulling over that. I don’t think it is a money situation for him. He’s made a lot of money over his career.

“That is why I am saying to him that this is the best club for him at the moment, because of the crowds and the stadium. Where is he going to get better than this at this stage of his life? He seems to be enjoying every minute.”

Diouf’s capture on an extended deal would be a major lift for Leeds following the confirmation that Green, who started the first two games of the season on the right of midfield, is facing an extended spell on the sidelines.

The former Doncaster Rovers man suffered the injury in a first-half tackle in the opening -day win over Wolves.

He tried to carry on but was forced to admit defeat just before the interval and Diouf came off the bench to replace him.

Meanwhile, Warnock insists Leeds will not make any public comment on an accusation from Queens Park Rangers that Paddy Kenny sent a series of abusive texts to a member of their management team.

The 34-year-old is alleged to have sent the messages to Rangers technical director, Mike Rigg, and chairman Tony Fernandes.

Insiders at the London club suggest the texts mocked both the 5-0 opening-day defeat suffered by Rangers at home to Swansea City and the performance of Robert Green, the England international who has succeeded Kenny in the Loftus Road goal.

Kenny left QPR to return to Yorkshire in a £400,000 deal during the summer.

Asked about the allegations, Warnock declined to comment other than to confirm the matter was being dealt with by club officials.

He said: “We have a club policy on Twitter and social networking. It is an internal matter and we will not be commenting further.”