Leeds United will be looking to put right a disappointing defeat to West Ham United when Newcastle United come to town on Wednesday evening.
Marcelo Bielsa's side have not kicked on from a positive start to the season, and with the games now coming thick and fast, the hard work could be beginning to take its toll.
Off the pitch, Leeds continue to make plans for the upcoming January transfer window. After investing substantially in the summer, the club showed their support for Bielsa.
Now, rumours continue to swirl regarding potential targets who could be further added to his squad next month. With that in mind, we have an update on a Barcelona loan target, a Portsmouth winger and a young Leeds starlet who could save the club millions.
Here is a round-up of the latest Leeds transfer rumours.
Riqui Puig labelled "leak"
Young Barcelona star Riqui Puig has been labelled a "leak" by his boss Ronald Koeman, per recent reports in Spain.
Spanish outlet El Pais via LeedsAllOver reports that Koeman has brandished the 21-year-old as a "leak" after the midfielder was said to have revealed the players that Koeman was keen to shift in the summer, including Luis Suarez, who joined rivals Atletico Madrid, and Nelson Semedo, who signed with Wolves.
Puig has been linked with a loan exit in January, with Leeds named as a potential landing spot. The youngster has played only four games all season, totalling 77 minutes. He has been left on the bench or not been a part of the matchday squad in all but one La Liga game thus far.
Leeds, meanwhile, wanted to sign a number eight midfielder in the summer but were unable to secure a deal. Puig would represent a short-term solution to the problem.
Portsmouth winger Ronan Curtis pledges commitment
Amid speculation that he could leave in January, Portsmouth winger Ronan Curtis confirmed that he would remain with the south coast club for the remainder of the season.
Curtis has been in excellent form this season, notching eight goals in all competitions. He is the only Pompey player to have scored in League One, the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup and the Papa John’s Trophy this term and also has three league assists on the season.
Leeds have been linked with a move for Curtis in the past, but the Republic of Ireland international reiterated his faith to Portsmouth.
"We want to get there as a team and stride on. Everyone in the changing room, everyone (in the) league wants to get to the Championship," Curtis told The News.
"Any player would be silly to say they don't want to test themselves at the next level. We're doing well and hopefully we get to the end of the season and do it.
I want to better myself and get to the Premier League one day but hopefully we go up here. I've got to start here, hopefully we go up and then see what happens.
"One-hundred per cent I want to make it to the next level. I'm here and I'm not looking anywhere else. Hopefully, we'll be there at the end of the season and do go up."
Charlie Cresswell can save Leeds millions
Noel Whelan believes that Charlie Cresswell can save Leeds millions, he told Football Insider.
Cresswell, 18, started in the EFL Cup loss to Hull City earlier this season and could be in line to feature as Bielsa deals with an injury crisis at centre-back which sees both his big-money summer signings on the sidelines at present.
And Whelan believes that Cresswell could step up and fill in admirably in their absence, rather than the club investing further at the position.
"I highly doubt Leeds will enter the January market to sign a centre-half," he said. "I think we have enough centre-halves. Llorente is going to be fit in three weeks and let’s not forget about Cresswell and Casey.
"Berardi and Koch are still to return from injury so I do not think the club will waste money on another centre-back.
"I think Cresswell is a smashing young player. He has got the talent and the stature. He has been doing really well with England’s Under-19s as well. I think the club will look to strengthen in other areas instead."
