Leeds United are ready to offer El Hadji Diouf a new longer term contract to reward him for his impressive performances since joining on an initial six-month deal.

Diouf has been a regular starter under manager Neil Warnock and has started 15 league games already this season, contributing four goals and three assists.

El Hadji Diouf
El Hadji Diouf is hoping to secure a new deal at Leeds [Reuters]

There was a concern that his form would alert a number of rival clubs as Diouf is still officially out of contract in January, when he would be able to walk away from the club as a free agent.

However, the former Liverpool striker has now met with the club's officials and is hoping that he will be able to remain at Elland Road beyond the New Year.

"We have spoken to the chief executive Shaun Harvey and we hope to have something sorted soon," said Diouf's agent Willie McKay, as quoted in the Daily Mail.

Originally signed by Liverpool for £10million in 2002, Diouf has now spent 10 years playing his club football in Britain but has always been viewed as somewhat of a pantomime villain by supports.

He arrived at Leeds with a reputation as being a troublemaker; however, he has managed to win over the vast majority of Leeds fans with his performances.

Even his own manager had once labelled him a "sewer rat", but it seems the two now have a good working relationship and Warnock will hope that the forward can help improve the club's league position.

Leeds are currently in 16<sup>th place in the table but did beat Crystal Palace at the weekend to move them from top spot, and are just six points behind Milwall who currently occupy the final play-off place.