Here are your Leeds United evening headlines for Friday July 17.
Beckford talks promotion as Leeds near Premier League
Jermaine Beckford has talked about what it takes to be promoted with Leeds - as the club edges ever closer to its long-awaited Premier League return.
Beckford was Leeds’ top scorer when they were promoted back to the Championship from League One under Simon Grayson in 2010. All in all, he spent four years at Elland Road and scored 85 goals in 152 appearances.
“You’ve got to be mentally strong,” he told Sky Sports ahead of Leeds’ 1-0 win against Barnsley on Thursday evening.
“You know what it means to the city, to yourself and everybody that’s watching. There’s a lot of people that always want Leeds to fail. But inside Yorkshire, inside Leeds, the support you get is phenomenal.
“All the players will be thinking about what it means to those fans, but they won’t be getting carried away. Marcelo Bielsa will not let that happen.
“With that in mind, they will be very confident and very professional in their approach play today and do the simple things well, do exactly what Leeds United do and leave the rest to fate.”
Nketiah sends message to fans before Barnsley game
Ahead of Leeds’ win against Barnsley, Eddie Nketiah sent a message of support on Twitter which has been well received by fans.
In response to the club’s official account tweeting highlights of Leeds beating Barnsley 2-0 in September – a game in which Nketiah scored the opener – he sent a heart emoji along with a flexed bicep. It might have been slightly cryptic, but the meaning was clear.
One Leeds fan replied: “Cheers Eddie, you played your part in this too! Come home please!”
Having spent the first half of the season on loan at Leeds, Nketiah was recalled by Arsenal in January. He scored five goals in all competitions for Leeds and has since scored four more for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Leeds interested in Wigan youngster McGurk
According to football journalist Alan Nixon , Leeds are interested in signing two Wigan youngsters in Joe Gelhardt and Sean McGurk.
While there is interest from elsewhere, Leeds look set to be first on the case once promotion is confirmed.
Gelhardt, 18, has made 17 appearances in the Championship this term, scoring one goal. McGurk, meanwhile, is only 17 years of age and is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Latics.
