Grayson will have his full compliment of loan players available for tonight's match against Oldham Athletic after handling the club's FA Cup commitments on Sunday, and United's pro-active dealing in the transfer market last week has reinforced a squad who already hold the whip hand over their division.

Leeds carried a six-point advantage into the second round of the FA Cup – a significant lead underlined by the margin of nine points which separates Grayson's squad from Colchester United in third place – and a late flurry of business at Elland Road on Thursday has strengthened their arm in the run-up to the January transfer window.

Grayson identified three possible signings and was impressed to see Leeds provide the funds and the persistence to recruit all of his targets. In Tony Capaldi, Hogan Ephraim and David Martin, he gained the security he was looking for with the club on the verge of one of the busiest periods of their season.

Leeds will play eight times before the end of this month, starting at Oldham this evening and winding up December at Stockport County three days after Christmas, and Grayson acknowledged the backing given to him by chairman Ken Bates in helping to protect United's strong league position.

Grayson said: "We've been given license to get the cover in to provide the squad with plenty of ammunition over the next few weeks.

"I wanted three targets in before the deadline shut and I got all three that I wanted. I appreciate what the chairman's done.

"He's always backed me on every decision I've made, whether it's bringing players in or out. We've made decisions that are going to help the club over the next six-week period."

Ephraim and Martin were omitted from the squad named at Kettering Town on Sunday with their parent clubs, QPR and Liverpool respectively, unwilling to allow either player to become cup-tied, but Capaldi made an accomplished debut on the left side of defence at Rockingham Road and should make his league debut tonight.

Capaldi stands out as an example of Grayson's insistence on recruiting players who are likely to improve his squad, rather than simply increase the number of players available to him.

The 28-year-old arrived from Cardiff City with a CV showing more than 200 league appearances, the vast majority made in the Championship. He also possesses the experience of 21 international caps won with Northern Ireland and provided a ready-made option for a position in Grayson's team that presently lacks an experienced alternative.

His 90-minute outing in Sunday's FA Cup second-round tie was his first for almost a month, but Grayson was satisfied by the defender's contribution.

"I thought he was very accomplished," said Grayson.