Although his forte was scoring goals as a player, Uwe Rosler appears to be pondering his keeper options in his capacity as Leeds head coach with one keeper linked and another on trial.
Like many of you no doubt, I thought Leeds had completed their business in the keeper department by signing American Charlie Horton from Cardiff, however it appears Horton will be involved in the development squad next term so the whites are out to bring in a back-up man for Marco Silvestri.
With Alex Cairns and Stewart Taylor both released from the club earlier this summer, Leeds have handed a trial to Jak Alnwick who was released by Newcastle this summer. Alnwick did get seven games in the Premiership last term, however he was somewhat down the pecking order as this only happened due to Tim Krul & Rob Elliott both getting injured. Although he marked his debut by coming on as a sub in the Magpies memorable 2-1 over Chelsea last season, his full debut was the 4-1 defeat at Arsenal and he was heavily criticised for his performance in a 4-0 defeat at Spurs in the League Cup quarter-finals. He can also add conceding an injury-time goal in the Tyne Wear Derby just before Christmas. With Krul fit again in the New Year, Alnwick who turned 22 last month was loaned to our dear neighbours at Valley Parade and made just once appearance for Bradford City.
He is the younger brother of Ben Alnwick, a former Sunderland keeper who was loaned to us in 2010 but never made an appearance. Like his older brother, Jak Alnwick also began his career at the Stadium of Light.
Maybe Rosler would be better off going for a more experienced, safer pair of hands in Ross Turnbull? The ex Middlesbrough and Chelsea keeper is being linked with a move from League One Barnsley.
Many eyebrows were raised when Turnbull was snapped up on a free by Chelsea in 2009 after 11 years with Middlesbrough. He declared that he was going to fight to make the number one jersey his own at Stamford Bridge. However in four years he played just seven times usually when Petr ÄŒech and Henrique Hilario were both out injured. His next stop was Doncaster Rovers before making the short trip to Barnsley last summer where he made 22 appearances.
Turnbull, now 30, can boast a FA Cup and Champions League winners medal to his CV albeit as unused substitutes.
So time will tell whether or not Uwe hands the role as Silvestri's understudy to Alnwick, Turnbull or another. Whoever gains the job is likely to receive a fair amount of support from amongst the fans, many of whom remain furious at Silvestri's withdrawal at the end of last season with injury. SIlvestri was one of six players who withdrew from the Leeds squad ahead of last seasons visit to Charlton in April, which caused suspicion amongst fans and prompted his father Claudio to declare that only his son and Mirco Antenucci were genuinely unfit to play.
Elsewhere the papers still link Stoke's Steve Sidwell as an alternative to Joey Barton as the experienced anchorman in midfield. Meanwhile it is reported that Steve Morison is wanted by both Bristol City and Ipswich Town. Morison's future looks even bleaker than usual following the signing of Chris Wood and further speculation today via Twitter that Everton's Belgian striker David Henen will join us on a season long-loan.