Leeds United handed FA Cup boost as Crawley dangerman tipped not to be involved

Leeds United go head-to-head with Crawley Town in the FA Cup Third Round this weekend, but the home side's task could have been made all the more difficult by the opening of the January transfer window.

Crawley's star man and sharp-shooting striker Max Watters has netted 16 times in 17 games across all competitions this season, subsequently attracting interest from a number of Championship clubs.

As a result, it is thought Watters may not feature in the FA Cup clash against Leeds so not to jeopardise a move which could be worth millions to the League Two side.

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Following a year which has ravaged EFL clubs financially, Crawley will be well aware of the importance Watters' good form could bring to their balance sheet.

The strongest links have been to Swansea City, although Celtic are also claimed to have taken an interest in the former Doncaster Rovers man.

Interestingly, Watters was rested in Crawley's two most recent fixtures, and has not played since Boxing Day. An EFL source has informed LeedsLive that this is in all likelihood to protect against an injury threatening a potential move from going through.

It is a stroke of luck for Leeds, who ordinarily would have faced the in-form striker, likely with a second string side, punctuated by a number of younger faces.

This year's FA Cup fixtures taking place on the second weekend in January also aids Leeds, because it means there is a possibility Watters will have been allowed to move even before the game takes place, rather than featuring in one last hurrah.

Given that Watters was signed on a one-year deal in summer, and the likelihood he will move this season, January represents the only opportunity Crawley will have to earn a fee for the frontman.

Leeds are painfully familiar with the concept of FA Cup giant-killings, having been downed by non-league Histon and Sutton United in ties over the past 15 years.

While a defeat to Crawley would not be quite so ignominious, Marcelo Bielsa's chances of avoiding defeat will be aided if Watters is left out of John Yems' starting XI this Sunday.