Max Gradel, for whom Leeds United turned down a £2.5million bid from West Ham this week, is doubtful for the club’s pre-season friendly at Stuart McCall’s Motherwell tomorrow.
Gradel picked up an ankle injury late in the 2-0 win over Falkirk during United’s week-long stay in Scotland and United will take no risks with the fitness of a player who scored 18 goals for them last season.
Luciano Becchio, who finished the last campaign as top scorer with 20 goals, has returned home for treatment to the hamstring injury which sidelined him for the final four games last season, and Andy O’Brien has also had his Scottish tour cut short by a side strain. With Davide Somma missing the trip with a knee problem, United will again be below strength for tomorrow’s game.
Manager Simon Grayson said: “It was nice to win and keep a clean sheet against Falkirk but at this stage the important thing is people’s fitness levels. Max got a kick on his ankle so we took him off as a precaution. It wasn’t worth risking him and it gave us an opportunity to play ten men against eleven.
“It was good to see Patrick Kisnorbo and Ben Parker come through okay after their injury problems of the past. They have both worked hard in training and are progressing well. Paddy got 60 minutes under his belt against Falkirk and Ben played for 45 minutes. We will just keep pushing them because they need time on the pitch and time in training on a regular basis if they are going to be ready for the start of the season.”
Grayson remains keen to add to his squad. He said: “We have some good players already here but I still think we need another three or four to complement the squad. We have some good young players coming through and they have an opportunity in pre-season to show what they can do.”
Wrexham’s Chris Maxwell is the latest goalkeeper said to be interesting United who have already signed Blackpool’s Paul Rachubka. Wales Under 21 international Maxwell, 20, is on a week-to-week deal after rejecting a new contract offered in January.
Wrexham would be entitled to a compensation fee because Maxwell is under 24.
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