Town are reportedly keen on signing Leeds midfielder Rodolph Austin on loan with a view to a permanent deal.

According to The Sun, the Blues want to sign the 29-year-old on an emergency loan now before making the move longer term when the Jamaican international’s Whites contract comes to an end in the summer.

Combative central midfielder Austin was reported to be close to moving to Wigan in a £500,000 deal just before the end of the transfer window but Leeds rebuffed the bid with manager Neil Redfearn glad they kept hold of him.

Redfearn told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “Personally I felt we had to keep him and I made that view clear. I spoke to [Leeds chairman] Andrew Umbers and to Rudy himself and they knew what I thought about it. I didn’t want him to leave.

“To be fair to the club, they’ve stood firm and kept him here and it’s the right call. We’ve had a tough season but we’ve been better recently and he’s a big reason for the last few results. We’d have been worse off without him.”

Having turned down Wigan's offer so recently, it would be a surprise if the Whites were to make Austin available for loan now [and Blues boss Mick McCarthy subsequently dismissed the link].

Austin started his career in his native Jamaica with Portmore United. He moved to Norwegian club Brann initially on loan in 2008 before joining permanently the following year.

After four years with the Bergen club 6ft tall Austin, who has won 71 international caps, scoring six goals, joined Leeds United in July 2012.

Since then he has made 95 starts and 11 sub appearances for the Whites and has scored seven goals.

Photo: Action Images

TimmyH added 20:31 - Feb 12 Hope this is just a link, unfortunately not the type of player we are after - we NEED a creative midfield player who can pass/run/create and even score I'm not sure Austin not another carthorse!!
0

TimmyH added 20:33 - Feb 12 * Austin is this not another carthorse!! - should read.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls