Old enemy Diouf ready to become Warnock’s big ally

Not only had the former Senegal international been involved in a series of running feuds with various United players both during and after a derby encounter that Doncaster Rovers lost 3-2 at the death.

But Diouf had also seen his every touch jeered by the partisan home crowd to underline his status as someone who Leeds fans love to hate.

Fast-forward just six months, however, and the 31-year-old has now added United to his list of clubs in England after coming off the bench during the final quarter of a comfortable Capital One Cup win over Shrewsbury Town.

A 12-month contract is expected to follow this week, possibly even as early as tomorrow, to complete one of the biggest about-turns in recent years for both player and manager.

It was Neil Warnock, let us not forget, who once described the forward as “the lowest of the low” after a heated clash between his QPR side and Blackburn Rovers before adding: “I was going to call him a sewer rat but that might be insulting to sewer rats.”

Diouf, for his part, was equally scathing in the wake of the January, 2011, FA Cup tie at Ewood Park. “I know he doesn’t like me,” said the then Rovers man of Warnock, “but it’s the same for me, too. I don’t like him.”

That mutual ill-feeling has, however, clearly evaporated with the Leeds manager full of praise for Diouf following his late cameo against the Shrews.

He said: “He works hard and he doesn’t give the ball away and when we get him a little bit fitter, he can do job for us.

“We will have a chat with him this week. Put it this way, he won’t be retiring on the wage we give him.

“When we met, I had to tell him what I disliked about him but it was a good meeting. I don’t think in life you ever say never but let’s be fair, it would be far easier for me not to involve him than to sign him.

“It would be easier not to do it, wouldn’t it? But I think in our situation, it is worth looking at. We haven’t got any money, he is on a Bosman, he is quality and he is not fazed by a club this size.

“Some players who come here freeze. But he wanted it (against Shrewsbury), as did everyone, to be fair.”

By the time Diouf came on to what can be best described as a mixed reception from the home fans, Leeds were four goals to the good and already all but through to the second round.

After a shaky start that saw Shrewsbury only denied the lead by a smart save from Paddy Kenny to deny Jermaine Grandison, new-look United gradually started to find some rhythm.

With seven summer signings in the starting line-up along with an eighth debutant in Academy graduate Sam Byram, this was no mean feat.

The sure touch of David Norris, sporting the armband for the day as Warnock casts around for a full-time captain, helped, as did the energy and drive of Rodolph Austin alongside him in the centre of midfield.

It was Jamaican international Austin who helped create the opening goal on 20 minutes with a wickedly dipping shot that Chris Weale was unable to hold in the visitors’ goal.

The ball fell to Michael Hector but, in trying to clear, he could only roll a pass to Luciano Becchio, who finished with ease from five yards out.

A second goal arrived just six minutes later and, again, Hector was culpable. This time, the Town defender was caught in possession by Luke Varney, who, after exchanging passes with Ross McCormack, rolled the ball into the empty net.

Varney was also involved in United’s third midway through the second half with a deft header from Paul Green’s cross that provided Norris sufficient time to shoot past Weale.

Hector’s miserable afternoon then hit rock bottom in the 69th minute when he inexplicably handled an attempted lob by Green and referee Mark Heywood pointed to the spot. McCormack called up last night by Scotland to face Australia on Wednesday – did the rest to cap an impressive afternoon for the striker, who is believed to be interesting Everton.

Warnock, though, wants to hold on to last season’s top scorer and is pinning his hopes on the club agreeing a new contract.

He said: “I’d like it resolved before Wolves. I’d have liked it resolved last week if I’m honest.”

With the game all but over once McCormack had finished from 12 yards, all that was left was for Diouf to make his entrance 14 minutes from time. And while the former Doncaster forward did little of note, his potential new team-mates are already impressed.

Captain Norris said: “In training this week, we have seen what ability he has. He has also had a great career and could turn out to be some signing.

“He has mixed in well with the lads and is a really nice guy. From what he has said to me, he clearly still has the hunger in him..

“I am not sure where a deal is at but if it goes through then that would be a good signing.”

Leeds United: Kenny; Byram, Peltier, Pearce, White; Green (Diouf 76), Norris, Austin, Varney (Brown 86); Becchio, McCormack (Poleon 76). Unused substitutes: Ashdown, Drury, Kisnorbo, Gray.

Shrewsbury Town: Weale, Grandion, Hector, Purdie, Jacobson (Hall 79); Wright, Summerfield (Wildig 79), Richards, Parry; Morgan, Gornell (Bradshaw 86). Unused substitutes: Anyon, Taylor, Hazel, Goldson.

Referee: M Heywood (West Yorkshire).