Good Morning. It's Wednesday 30th August, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road
Cairns delivers KO blow to LeedsLeeds were unceremoniously dumped out of the Caribou Cup on penalties by League 2 outfit Salford City, as three former players from yesteryear came back to haunt them.
Matt Smith had put the hosts ahead on 34 minutes, rising highest to head Luke Garbutt's cross past the despairing dive of Karl Darlow; and it stayed that way until fifteen minutes before the end.
Sam Greenwood had just been bought on, at the expense of Archie Gray. His first touch of the ball, a free kick on the edge of the Accies penalty area caused panic amongst their defenders, allowing Pascal Struijk to double his tally for the season from close range..
It was nothing more than Leeds deserved. With 70% possession and 33 strikes at goal (a new Leeds record) the Whites must have been wondering why they weren't comfortably ahead. The answer being Alex Cairns, the Salford shot stopper. The 30yo had spent four years at Elland Road learning his trade, before moving around in the lower leagues. He was equal to everything Leeds threw at him, and on the odd occasion he was beaten, the woodwork came to his rescue.
With the scoreline deadlocked after 90 minutes, the match went to penalties. If it had been settled by dodge ball, Leeds would have won handsomely. Somehow Darlow managed to evade the ball on every occasion, even when diving the right way.
Rutter and Shackleton missed for Leeds as Salford City ran out 9-8 winners, progressing to the third round of the League Cup for the first time in their history.
Spence arrives as Drameh set to departDjed Spence has sailed through his Thorp Arch medical, and will be unveiled as a Leeds Utd player later on today. The 23yo right back (who can also play as a right sided midfielder) arrives on a season long loan, with no option to buy.
Spence joined Spurs last Summer from Middlesbrough for £20m, but failed to establish himself in the top flight. He spent the second half of the season on loan at Rennes, managing just eight appearances, but if he can replicate the form he showed whilst on loan at the City Ground two years ago, he'll be well worth the £1m loan fee Leeds have paid for him.
The news comes as Leeds prepare for Cody Drameh's departure from Elland Road after three years at Elland Road. According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the 21yo is both keen, and expected to move before Friday's deadline.
German Press lay into AmiriGerman media outlet 'Bild.de' have labelled Nadiem Amiri arrogant, spoiled and unreliable after talks broke down at Elland Road on Monday afternoon.
The 26yo was highly expected to pen a lucrative four year deal with Leeds after flying him to West Yorkshire via private jet at the beginning of the week. Officials gave him the guided tour, before sitting down to discuss personal terms.
German media reports suggest Amiri's wage demands were unreasonable, and he had to pay for his own plane ticket back to Germany. This had been the third time he had turned Leeds down in the space of a week. Bayer Leverkusen Manager Xabi Alonso had apparently made it clear that the attacking midfielder does not have a future at the Bay Arena, and with two days left of the transfer window, his options are very limited.
