Leeds United boss Heckingbottom remains coy over Lasogga future

The former German under-21 international arrived at Elland Road on loan from Bundesliga outfit Hamburg last August with United lining up the forward as a replacement for the outgoing Chris Wood.

Lasogga has notched 10 goals in 30 games for Leeds this season but has come in for a lot of criticism for his work rate off the ball and with parent club Hamburg heading for the second tier of German football the striker's future remains up in the air.

The 26-year-old admitted just last month that a move to the Premier League would be fulfilling a "childhood dream" but believed any decision over his future would be decided in the summer.

Heckingbottom though, speaking ahead of Saturday's clash with Barnsley, hinted that United had made a definitive choice on whether they were going to pursue a permanent deal for Lasogga but refused to be drawn on which way the issue had been concluded.

"Well, I know a lot but not things we're going to speak about," Heckingbottom said.

"I've not spoken to Pierre about anything other than the next game which is Barnsley and that's it."

Substitutes Lasogga and fellow forward Jay-Roy Grot came in for a lot of criticism at Aston Villa last time out for their lack of impact on the pitch but the Leeds boss admitted that what he had seen since at Thorp Arch had been positive.

"I've seen a response, yeah," Heckingbottom continued.

"Which is important because subs are on there to go on and make an impact. If you can't in terms of effecting the scoreline then you have to show that intent and that willingness and that's a minimum.

"We speak to the players a lot about it, it's pointless just going over to the fans at the end and giving them a clap thinking that's what they want to see.

"They want to see the effort, the drive and the running power on the pitch."