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Leeds United: No special treatment for Becks
SIMON GRAYSON says he has no immediate plans to hold heart-to-heart talks with transfer-listed star striker Jermaine Beckford – whose future remains very much in the air.
Beckford, who fired 34 goals last term, has been linked with a host of clubs after turning down a new Leeds United deal in May.
The Londoner, desperate to play Championship football, was subsequently placed on the transfer list.
But Leeds have yet to field a bid for the prolific marksman, who still remains very much a United player with 12 months of his contract still to run.
And while Leeds boss Grayson may chat with Beckford, he has no special plans to make a big issue out of it, with the striker's priority being pre-season work with United ahead of the big kick-off – whether he remains at Elland Road or heads for pastures new.
Grayson said: "He's professional enough to know what he needs to do. All the players have got to be focused to get into the first team on August 8.
"I'll have individual chats with people around the squad who I feel need those chats. It might be with Jermaine, it might be with half a dozen others."
He quipped: "I've only had a conversation about his holiday and where he's been! It's all been very light-hearted.
"Things will be addressed. But it's not at the top of my agenda, that's for sure.
"Over the summer months, we'll all get to where we need to get to.
"Everybody's aware of what they need to do in the next two or three weeks, which is to get as fit and strong as possible for this football club.
"If any bids come in for any players, then they've got to be ready to move to those clubs, if that is going to be the case and it is suitable for this football club."
Whites chairman Ken Bates has reiterated that Beckford still has a big part to play in the club's plans despite being on the transfer list.
Bates said: "We haven't had any enquiries.
"As it is, Jermaine remains at Leeds; he is our player and he is an important part of our plans to win promotion this season.
"If he stays and scores 30 goals – which we would all be pleased with – we can look at the situation again.
"You can always sign an improved and extended contract at any stage of the season and that may be his decision if we are near the Championship places next season."
Consider
Meanwhile, Grayson admits he will have to make a decision over the captaincy if Richard Naylor misses the 2009-10 curtain-raiser with Exeter City through injury, though he hopes that won't be an issue come August 8.
He said: "It's something I've got to consider as two of the captains from last season have left the football club.
"Next week at York, I wouldn't read too much into who's going to be captain.
"There will be all sorts of speculation and it's something I'll have to consider.
"But hopefully Richard Naylor will be fit and it won't be an issue."
Meanwhile, United have signed veteran goalkeeper Shane Higgs from Cheltenham Town on a one-year deal.
United manager Simon Grayson has been looking for cover for Casper Ankergren and Alan Martin since David Lucas was released at the end of last season and Higgs fits the bill.
The 32-year-old has enjoyed 10 years with the Robins and spent the second half of last season on loan at Wolves, although he failed to make a first-team appearance for the Championship winners.
Grayson said: "He's desperate to make an impression and has the hunger and the desire to succeed at this football club."
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 11 February 2012
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Temperature: -2 C to 0 C
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