The gossip hots up and the transfer window opening gets closer and closer.

The transfer window is set to open in just four days and Leeds will no doubt be looking to strengthen the squad for the promotion push.

Having achieved mission-impossible and made it to the top of League One (albeit for three hours on Boxing Day) despite the handicap of a fifteen point deduction, Dennis Wise will not be complacent.

Swansea and Forest are pushing strong, leading up the rear are the likes of Carlisle, Leyton Orient, Walsall and even Wheres Yeovil?

Lubo Michalik has been mentioned strongly. The big lad at the back was a tower of strength when he came in on-loan at the end of last season and arguably, had Allardyce not recalled him, things may have turned out differently. Whether or not Gary Megson will let the big Slovak drop down two Divisions remains to be seen. We can only hope because the Marques/Heath partnership will end with the departure of Rui to the African Cup of Nations in January. Marques has been called up for Angola.

Another rumour has it that Wise will ressurrect his interest in Hibs centre-back Rob Jones, who Leeds apparently came close to signing in the summer.

Another signing at the back could be Daniel Fox of Walsall. Fox is apparently out of contract in the summer and one rumour we have heard suggests that Wisey will offer Walsall half a million for a kid they picked up from Everton's academy.

Finnish winger Sebastien Sorsa appears to be a done deal. We've also read rumours on Sky Sports about Steve Davis (Tranmere), Kris Commons (Forest), Leon Clarke (Sheffield Weds) and Izale McCloud (Charlton).

On the outgoing front, would it be any surprise if Shaun Derry stayed at Palace - it appears to suit all parties (except a fair few Leeds fans!).

The same Sky source (a fan in the know!) also reckons that David Lucas, Leon Constantine, Matt Heath and Ian Westlake will be sold and Mark De Vries and Radostin Kishishev will both return to Leicester City when their time is up in mid January.

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