Back to back wins have seen Steve Evans stave off the sack so far at Leeds, having lasted a whopping five games under eccentric owner Massimo Cellino.
The Italian in charge at the club has recently reversed his decision to sell the Whites to a group of fans, when a £30m takeover had seemed to be on the cards.
The Elland Road outfit will be disappointed in the news that lifelong fan Steve Parkin will not replace Cellino in charge, who was said to fancy installing David Moyes as manager should his consortium have taken control. However, life goes on in Leeds and the recent 3-0 crushing of Huddersfield Town in the Yorkshire derby will help lift spirits somewhat.
Former Rotherham boss Evans has been linked with delving into the loan market to improve his squad, and perhaps launch a surprise assault on the playoff spots. Will Buckley was brought in from Sunderland earlier this season, and similar deals could follow.
Here are FIVE Premier League loan Leeds should still consider…
ANDERS LINDEGAARD – WEST BROM
The former Man United ace may not have the most endearing of pasts for the Elland Road faithful, but it’s not as if the Danish ‘keeper was a huge part of their squad. Now with West Brom, the 31-year old has been linked with a loan switch to Leeds in order to provide cover for Marco Silvestri.
With summer signing Ross Turnbull the subject of a broken ankle, bringing an experienced shot-stopper in to both cover and compete with Silvestri would be a wise move.
KYLE LAFFERTY – NORWICH
Evans recently revealed his desire in bringing Northern Ireland hero Kyle Lafferty to the club on loan, having struggled to break the Norwich first-team despite his exploits on the international front.
The 28-year old has appeared just once in the Premier League despite netting seven times as Northern Ireland qualified for Euro 2016. He’s had a rather odd career path, having played in Switzerland, Italy and Turkey in recent years, and has a wealth of experience.
‘Kyle needs to be playing’, stated Evans, and with the most important tournament of the player’s life closing in – a deal could well be on the cards.
LIAM BRIDCUTT – SUNDERLAND
The former Brighton man has seen big names such as Jack Rodwell and Yann M’Vila well ahead of him in the pecking order at the Stadium of Light. A Gus Poyet signing, it appeared all hopes of a Premier League career went out the window as his former boss was sacked.
He’s another player that the Leeds boss has expressed an interest in borrowing, and would provide energy and class in the middle of the park. He impressed while with Brighton, earning a move to the top tier in the first place.
A classy defensive midfielder with an eye for goal, he would surely be keen on establishing himself as one of the top players in the second division once more in order to force his way back into the Scotland side.
LEWIS GRABBAN – NORWICH CITY
Another Norwich star here, and a striker Evans managed while with Rotherham. Lewis Grabban looked to be on the verge of leaving Norwich in the summer, and was disciplined for his behaviour towards the end of the transfer window.
The former Bournemouth man has played just 98 minutes of Premier League football this term, and the Whites chief recently expressed his desire on bringing him to Elland Road on a loan deal. The thought of him and Lafferty bolstering the ranks up top would give Leeds one of the most potent strike forces in the league.
YOAN GOUFFRAN – NEWCASTLE UNITED
Perhaps a bit of a left-field suggestion here, but French attacker Yoan Gouffran looks set to leave the Toon Army on a loan deal – with Wolves and Charlton battling it out for his services. Clearly available, Steve Evans should certainly consider a move for the Bordeaux man.
He is a versatile attacker, able to operate as either a traditional striker, a wide forward in a 4-2-3-1, or a left winger in a flat 4-4-2. If he is available, the 29-year old should certainly be considered. Pacey and two footed, he would add another dimension to a Leeds side hell bent on promotion.
