Leeds waiting on Howson decision after offering midfielder new deal

LEEDS United have opened contract talks with several players including captain Jonny Howson.

Leeds-born Howson has entered the final year of his existing deal at Elland Road and has yet to accept the terms being offered by the club.

Winger Ramon Nunez and defender Aidy White are also likely to be offered new deals this month but others may have to wait until later on in the season.

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Other players out of contract next summer include veteran midfielder Michael Brown, defender Ben Parker, striker Lloyd Sam and Finnish duo Mikael Forsell and Mika Vayrynen (who only recently joined the club).

“We’re well aware of the contractual position of all our players and we don’t want to get backed into a corner,” said chief executive officer Shaun Harvey. “Discussions with all of those players who we’d want – and who you’d expect us to want – to keep beyond the end of their existing contracts have taken place and, or, will commence shortly.”

On Howson’s future, Harvey said: “We’ve made an offer to Jonny and we’re waiting for a response. Discussions have been ongoing for a period of time and since the transfer window shut.”

Leeds will have six players on international duty next week.

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Midfielder Robert Snodgrass has kept his place in the Scotland squad for Euro 2012 qualifying games against Liechtenstein and Spain while Forssell and Vayrynen are both on duty for Finland who play Sweden in Helsinki and Hungary in Budapest.

On-loan duo Darren O’Dea and Andy Keogh will be on duty for the Republic of Ireland while defender White is in the Republic’s Under-21 squad to play Liechtenstein.

Manager Simon Grayson, meanwhile, insists that he has no intention of abandoning his attacking principles.

Only Ipswich Town have conceded more goals than Leeds in the Championship so far this season but Leeds are also the division’s leading goalscorers.

“I am not going to sacrifice my philosophy of attacking and entertaining football,” Grayson said. “What I am striving to do is find the right balance.”