YesBrian McDermott has been given the go-ahead to sign his former Reading players, Noel Hunt and Matt Mills according to the Daily Star, while Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Kevin Doyle has ruled out a move to Elland Road.

30 year-old Hunt and 26 year-old Mills would become McDermott’s second and third summer signings if deals are successfully completed.

Hunt is available on a free transfer after being released by Reading at the end of last season. The striker spent five years at the Madejski, making 162 appearances and scoring 39 goals. He was a near ever-present in McDermott’s Championship winning side in 2012.

Matt Mills meanwhile could be a much costlier proposition. The 6′ 3″ centre-back has played for 10 clubs already in his career, making seven-figure transfers to Reading, Leicester City and Bolton Wanderers, his current club.

With two years remaining on his contract, Bolton are said to be asking for a transfer fee of £1,000,000, a figure Leeds United haven’t paid for any player since the 2005/06 season. However, there’s been some suggestions that Bolton Wanderers may be willing to discuss a season long loan deal.

Another player Leeds remain interested in is Peterborough United’s Tommy Rowe. Barry Fry told the Peterborough Telegraph this week that he’s prepared to keep Rowe at Peterborough if a suitable deal can’t be reached with Leeds or another club, revealing that McDermott is a long time admirer of the transfer-listed winger.

“Tommy and his agent have expressed an interest in moving North and they have spoken to Brian McDermott.

“When he was manager at Reading, Brian was keen on Tommy and that remains the case, but until a transfer fee and a package can be sorted out it won’t happen. Tommy is aware of that.”

Elsewhere, some players have voluntarily returned early to pre-season training to work on their fitness. While pre-season training doesn’t get under way until next Thursday and work is still being carried out on a number of changes to Leeds’ Thorp Arch training complex, Brian McDermott said he’s pleased to see such enthusiasm.