McCormack confident he can end Leeds’s scoring drought

The Scot was employed in a traditional centre-forward position in Tuesday night’s vital 2-1 home win over Bournemouth when he shrugged off a 32nd-minute penalty miss to fire his fifth goal of the campaign in predatory fashion eight minutes after the break.

After playing at the tip of a midfield diamond for most of the campaign thus far, McCormack was thrust into the forward line in a bid to try and rectify Leeds’ goal-scoring deficiencies, with United heading into the Cherries game with the damning statistic that only Yeovil had scored fewer Championship goals.

Manager Brian McDermott is keen on bringing in a loan forward, but with an international break looming, he confirmed a signing is unlikely before the weekend.

McCormack said: “I’ve probably not played up front since Simon Grayson left. But I maintain what I’ve said, if I play up front, I will score goals.

“When people are on about this striker thing and this and that, I’m definitely ready to step up and chip in.

“Two years ago when I played up front before Neil Warnock came in, I think I scored 15 or 16 goals before February.

“I believe that if I play up front and we get balls in the box, I’ll score goals and hopefully I can prove that in the coming months.

“Mine was a striker’s goal. I have said since I came to the club, I am a striker. I can play in other roles, but I really enjoy playing up front as you get on the end of chances and get more chances to score goals.”

McCormack has labelled midfield player Alex Mowatt as a ‘special talent’ after the Doncaster-born teenager added to his burgeoning reputation with a fine display on his home debut against the Cherries.

He said: “I think I said two years ago that Alex was one of those who was going to break through and do really well and I think we saw that against Bournemouth.

“He’s going to be a good player and is a special talent. But he’s one who has to be managed right, definitely, and I know we’ve got the right manager to do that.”