Leeds United made a last-ditch bid to sign a new centre-back on deadline day, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The regional newspaper claim that the Championship giants looked in the market for central defenders on Wednesday after being hit by a chronic shortage of players in the position.
The Yorkshire Evening Post report that Leeds’ recruitment team sprung into action in the wake of Tuesday night’s goalless stalemate against Hull City at the KC Stadium.
Matthew Pennington missed the match after breaking down in training earlier this week, Liam Cooper was already out suspended and then Thomas Christiansen’s resources dwindled further when reserve Conor Shaughnessy was stretchered off with a potentially serious ankle injury three minutes into the game.
The set-backs, combined with Pontus Jansson moving to within one yellow card of a two-match ban, prompted United to search for a new centre-back option but they did not find one.
Leeds signed two players on deadline day, capturing striker Tyler Roberts from West Brom for an initial £2.5million, and teenage midfield enforcer Jordan Stevens from League Two relegation strugglers Forest Green Rovers.
OPINION
Little wonder Leeds made a late swoop for a new centre-back. Their current shortage is threatening their promotion bid. Gaetano Berardi filled in manfully alongside Jansson at Hull, as he has done so impressively in recent months, but United are down to the bare bones after already losing the versatile ankle injury for the rest of the campaign. The one man holding it all together is Jansson, who has been back to his commanding best since his autumn wobble. Lose him for any length of time, and it is difficult to see Leeds keeping opposition attacks at bay.