Blackwell fears player sales

Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell knows there could be more player sales this month – at a time when he is desperate to strengthen the squad.

Blackwell’s problems were compounded on Saturday when striker Nathan Blake, who signed on loan from Leicester recently, ruptured a hamstring in the 3-0 FA Cup third-round defeat at Birmingham and is now out for up to three months.

It means Blackwell is again scouring the loan market in a bid to find another forward, in particular with Brian Deane out for another month with a shoulder injury.

But with the club still struggling financially, it seems certain Blackwell will lose players before the closure of the transfer window at the end of the month.

There have been a number of enquiries from circling clubs, notably for the likes of young stars Scott Carson and Aaron Lennon, as well as for experienced names only signed this season in Neil Sullivan and David Healy.

While Blackwell wants to keep the squad together, he appreciates his hands are tied if the club is desperate for cash.

“It is a credit we are still attracting attention for the right reasons,” said Blackwell.

“We have the basis for something here, and please God, we have the chance to develop it. When you start to build something and you see the buds of it grow and blossom, you hope to see it fully blossom and develop.

“But I have to do a job here that means helping the club to turn round the financial situation, so I can’t say players will not leave.

“I have to think about Leeds in the future, and if we keep hold of all our players and then subsequently go out of business, then it maybe is not the smartest move.

“So as much as I want to make sure everything we do now is positive, we have to look at the long-term future and every decision will be made with that in mind.”

Blake, meanwhile, will undergo an MRI scan today to determine the extent of the injury, with Blackwell conceding the Wales international is “in a very bad way”.

But he has vowed to do all he can to find another replacement, adding: “It’s back to the drawing board I’m afraid.

“I will have to see if I can come up with something else. I think I have been pulling rabbits out f hats for a long time now. I am quite skilled at it, so let’s hope I can pull another one out.”