Liam Bridcutt on Leeds United radar

Liam Bridcutt in action for Sunderland against Fulham.

United are desperately looking to end a club record streak of 12 Elland Road games without a victory and Evans admitted after Thursday night’s 2-0 loss to Blackburn that he probably needed “five or six” new players.

And the Glaswegian revealed in this afternoon’s pre-Cardiff press conference that the first new arrival could be signed on loan today and in time to give United a much-needed boost for tomorrow night’s clash with Cardiff.

The Whites have slipped to 19th and just three points above the dropzone with United booed off after Thursday’s loss at home to Blackburn Rovers in which Leeds went 1-0 down after just 17 seconds, after which the Elland Road crowd turned on chairman Massimo Cellino.

The Italian has subsequently revealed he is willing to sell the club to the fans’ owned Leeds Fans United group but Evans is concentrating solely on improving United’s fortunes on the field and much needed player recruitment.

The Whites are thought to be particularly close to landing 26-year-old Sunderland midfielder Bridcutt and Evans said: “I have given a list to (head of recruitment) Martyn Glover and to the owner of a number of players that we think can help us.

“We may get one done today, we are literally waiting to see if we can get that over the line in time and done but we possibly need to bring in around three players before the loan window closes in late November.

“Then we get the chance between this period and December to evaluate everyone and make a decision on how we are to go forward.

“It wouldn’t be fair to me say who it is but the one thing I would say is that we have identified a number of players in each position and my first choice in this department of this team would be the one that we are very close to.

“But you don’t always get them in that particular order.”

United will be without captain Sol Bamba who is suspended tomorrow along with loanee Tom Adeyemi who is forbidden from playing against his parent club.

Left back Charlie Taylor also remains sidelined with a virus.