Now Warnock goes after QPR buddy Clint Hill for Leeds

Leeds’ move in for Hill comes after QPR staved off relegation from the Premiership on the final weekend of the season.

Like Leeds, the London club has now embarked on a programme of rebuilding its squad, and Hill is thought to be unlikely to figure in the new line-up.

Warnock and Hill worked together at QPR and before that at Crystal Palace, where Warnock signed him from Stoke City.

QPR manager Mark Hughes said: “The club wasn’t ready for the Premier League but we are moving very quickly. There’s no way we’ll be in this situation again in my time here.”

Hill, 33, was yesterday named the players’ player and fans’ player of the year at Rangers. He could now be invited to join a Leeds back line which began to take shape with the recent capture of centre-back Jason Pearce.

Leeds remain in the running for the signature of Portsmouth’s Joel Ward, a £400,000 target, with Warnock looking to conclude the deal before the week is out.

Warnock is following through with his promise to pursue quick signings in the summer transfer window and is he one of a number of managers looking closely at out-of-contract Derby County midfielder Paul Green.