Leeds are linked with SK Brann midfielder Rodolph Austin. The Jamaican midfielder (with experience at centre-back) almost signed for Stoke in 2008 aged 23, but was denied a work permit. Rodolph has now made 45 appearances for Jamaica and qualifies for a permit throught the 75% rule, where a player who appears in 75% of his nation’s competitive international matches over 2 years automatically qualifies.

Austin’s contract is up this winter and Brann are believed to want to cash in after strenuous efforts to convince Austin to remain in Norway failed. According to Norwegian ba.no, Brann have been contacted by Leeds while Warnock is reported to have said:

He’s one of many we’re looking at. When I was at QPR I had him on trial for a week.

He’s a great guy, I’ve always liked him, but he’s always cost too much; he was valued at £2m at one point.

Austin will likely cost between £100-250k.

 

Other Talk

After revealing how close he was to leaving, Neil Warnock seems to be cautiously paving the way for the sale of Ross McCormack. The promotion specialist can’t offer McCormack regular football this season despite the Scot being Leeds’ top scorer last season. Warnock revealed McCormack had been the subject of offers, with several other enquiries for transfer listed players, but he will not reveal more until the deals are closer to completion.

According to thisisleicestershire.co.uk, Lee Peltier is “thrashing out the final details of his move to Leeds”.

Meanwhile QPR’s list of players to shift include three previously linked to Leeds: injury-struck journeyman DJ Campbell was linked to Leeds last week, 32 year old veteran Rob Hulse was mentioned last winter, while Matt Connolly was linked a while ago and the big Arsenal-trained defender could be an excellent addition to the squad if Leeds could find the funds. The centre back was an ever-present part of QPR’s promotion winning side in 2010-11, but found chances limited last season with just 6 starts in the Premier League before a successful loan spell at league winners Reading.

Martin Cranie is training with Leeds after rejecting a new deal at relegated Coventry. The 25 year old ex England U21 will be looking to prove himself to provide Adam Drury with competition at left-back, with White’s future in doubt and Warnock preferring him in midfield.

Whites target Luke Chambers has signed for Ipswich, but the hunt for Richard Keogh (which Leeds may or may not be part of) is still on.

Chuck Norris and Reg Varney could be on their way to either Leeds or Wednesday this week. Varney has made no secret of his preference for Leeds, but the deal still needs to be finalised.