Leeds Boss McDermott Confident of Making Transfer Breakthrough

Leeds United manager Brian McDermott has identified Nottingham Forest forward Dextor Blackstock as the player he hopes to sign after a frustrating run in which a number of loan deals have fallen through.

The Yorkshire club have endured a difficult start to the new campaign but a morale boasting win came at the weekend against Coventry as Leeds secured an impressive 4-0 win.

The victory saw the club climb to ninth place but they are already some 12 points behind leaders Burnley and McDermott is aware of how important it is to further bolster his options with loan signings.

Having been given permission to bring emergency loanees to the club McDermott has thus far failed to complete a single deal, much to the former Reading manager's frustration.

"We need something to happen for us on that front. I've been watching games, I've spoken to five or six managers and all of them have told me that the players I'm interested in aren't available," he told the Yorkshire Evening News.

"I'm trying to find what we need and that's my frustration at the moment. When it comes to loans you're in the hands of other people and I'm really just waiting for something to give.

Despite his recent frustrations it seems he still believes a deal can be struck and his attention is now firmly on Blackstock who has made just one league appearance for Nottingham Forest this season.

"We are always trying to improve the squad," McDermott told the club's official website. "I've known Dexter Blackstock since he was a young boy as he was brought up in Oxford and played for Southampton.

"I know him well, he is a good lad and is good in the dressing room. He also has a decent goals ratio.

"Whatever the result was at the weekend I think it is still important to strengthen and improve the squad. If we feel that is the right thing to do then we have to do that if we have the opportunity."

Leeds have numerous options in attack but it is only Ross McCormack who has been finding the back of the net with any consistency as he has six league goals, while summer signing Matt Smith has four.