OPINION
Leeds United head into Friday’s Yorkshire derby against Sheffield Wednesday top of the Championship and well placed to mount a promotion challenge.
But as United supporters know only too well, things can change quickly in the brutally demanding English second tier.
Moreover, Leeds are only six points ahead of 15th-placed Bolton Wanderers. The margin between success and failure is a narrow one.
The Yorkshire giants left themselves with a thin squad after recruiting just six players in the summer, four of them on loan, while offloading a remarkable 24, 17 of them on loan.
The signs are that Leeds’ squad just isn’t deep enough to cope with the inevitable injuries and suspensions that hit most teams.
The attack has been left threadbare by injuries to Kemar Roofe, Patrick Bamford and Pablo Hernandez, and Marcelo Bielsa hasn’t even started rotating yet.
Reinforcements are clearly needed and it is telling that Leeds are reportedly in hot pursuit of Kasimpasa forward Mbaye Diagne.
According to Turkish Football, United held talks with his agent over the summer and are still keeping close tabs on the Senegal international, with scouts watching him continue his golden scoring run against Alanyaspor at the weekend.
In six Super Lig matches this season, Diagne has scored a remarkable eight goals, including at least one in every match. In 23 Kasimpasa matches, Diagne has netted 20 times.
There has been interest from other English clubs, but Leeds appear to be firmly in the race as they step up their attempts to land him with constant scrutiny.
Turkish Football report Diagne is hopeful of securing an EU passport, which would allow him to overcome work permit issues in time for the January transfer window.
If Leeds could fend off interest from rival clubs, they would have pulled off an absolute blinder.