Brian McDermottMcDermott expressed his frustration at today’s press conference telling the assembled media that he’s attempted to sign six players during the international break but has missed out on them all for different reasons.

For once, money doesn’t seem to be the issue for the Leeds United manager, at least, that’s not the way I interpreted his comments.

Instead, the problems McDermott is having may be a reluctance on the part of other clubs to let quality players leave. With Premier League clubs operating with a limit on the number of players they can have on their books, the depth of these squads isn’t what it used to be, making the players they do have all the more important. Particularly the better ones, who’ll be on the fringes of first team selection and required in the event of injuries or squad rotation.

While none of the players McDermott has missed out on were named, he did confirm earlier reports that 29 year old former Hearts captain Marius Žaliūkas is on trial with the club. The Leeds United manager admitted his defence lack experience following basic errors (mostly stemming from bad positioning and no organisation) made in recent games and will be hoping that the experienced centre-back can resolve the club’s defensive woes.

In other news, the international break came at a good time for Sam Byram who is now fully fit and available to start this Sunday’s game against Birmingham City.

Elsewhere, want-away midfielder David Norris has picked up a slight injury and won’t be available for selection while El Hadji-Diouf is on compassionate leave following the death of Bruno Metsu, a former manager of Diouf’s who he described as a “father figure” to Phil Hay.