United have taken tentative steps towards possible offers for Derek Riordan and Kevin Phillips, and the prospect of new, high-profile arrivals at Elland Road could tempt Crewe to bid for a player who slipped through their fingers during the January transfer window.

Mel Sterland - Leeds United will go up next season: Click here for full interview.


The Cheshire club were beaten to Elding's signature by Leeds on January 31 after trying to sign the 26-year-old from Stockport County.

Elding arrived at Elland Road on a two-and-a-half-year deal shortly before the transfer deadline, with Leeds paying Stockport an undisclosed fee believed to have been in the region of £100,000, but his opportunities in Leeds have been limited.

The ex-Boston and Stevenage Borough striker made four league starts and scored one goal during United's 2-1 defeat to Cheltenham Town in March.

But he was not involved in the squads for either of Leeds' League One play-off finals against Carlisle United, or last month's play-off final at Wembley.

United would be willing to listen to serious offers for the forward, who scored 15 goals for Stockport last term, with Gary McAllister ready to strengthen his pool of strikers at Elland Road.

And Crewe are known to be monitoring his position once again.
Scotland international Riordan has been targeted by McAllister after failing to establish himself as a first-team regular at Celtic, and Leeds have also made an ambitious approach for Phillips, who is out of contract at West Brom.

United's strike force has been weakened by the return of Dougie Freedman to Crystal Palace after his recent loan spell at Elland Road.

And neither the club or the player have confirmed whether the 34-year-old plans to return to Leeds next season.

Freedman's personal circumstances are likely to see him remain with Palace for the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park, but the interest shown in Riordan and Phillips has signalled McAllister's plan to secure quality replacements for the forthcoming League One campaign.

McAllister said: "We are in the market, and we are looking at front men who can strengthen us."