Monk wants to enhance his options in January so what better way than to add players who can play in a number of positions?
Garry Monk has hardly played down his desire to welcome a few new faces through the door at Elland Road in the winter months, with a shiny new centre-forward top of his post-Christmas wishlist.
Yet, if his Thursday press conference is anything to go by, the former Swansea boss has a few specific requirements for any potential incomings.
“I always feel as a manager that a big bonus to have is to be adaptable. It shows a high skill level to be a player who can adapt and play in different ways,” Monk told the Yorkshire Evening Post.
With Leeds’ youthful squad stretched to its bare bones by injuries and suspensions in recent weeks, the addition of a few versatile players could make the difference between making the play-offs and missing out.
But who fits the bill?
Mark Pugh
One of the Championship’s most consistent creators under Eddie Howe at Bournemouth, the prospect of squaring up to the three-pronged attacking force of Pugh, Matt Ritchie and Callum Wilson must have induced sleepless nights in even the most solid of defenders.
Yet, while Ritchie and Wilson retained their first-choice status in The Cherries maiden Premier League campaign, 29-year-old Pugh has been ousted by the resurgent Junior Stanislas and summer signing Jordan Ibe, featuring in only 108 minutes of Premier League action this season.
However, the Bacup-born wideman offered a reminder of his ability with the winner against champions Leicester on Tuesday, while his comfort on both right and left flanks could convince Monk to push in January.
Linus Wahlqvist
It’s been quite the season for 20-year-old Linus Wahlqvist. A virtual ever-present for Swedish outfit IFK Norrköping, the versatile defender picked up three international caps for his troubles in recent weeks with his rise to prominence doing little to dampen speculation that Leeds could make a move in the winter.
Valued at a bargain £875,000 according to Voetball Belgie, The Whites will have to act fast to secure the signature of one of Scandanavia’s brightest defensive talents, however, with Stoke City and Europa League regulars Anderlecht ready to pounce.
Primarily a right-back, Wahlqvist has proven that he can step into the breach at centre-half when required. And, with the ever-committed displays of compatriot Pontus Jansson (below) likely to lead to a suspension or two, picking up seven yellows in 15 games, Wahlqvist could be an astute addition to the squad.
Garath McCleary
Jaap Stam’s Reading may still be three places and two points ahead of the ever-improving Leeds, but the Jamaican international must have wondered just how effective he could be under Monk during Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat at Elland Road.
McCleary’s seven goals and three assists are a major factor in Reading’s commendable rise to third place after two seasons scrapping for survival but their slow, methodical build-up play is hardly suited to a winger who thrives on wide open spaces and fast breaks.
Furthermore, his ability to play across almost each and every attacking role would come in rather handy with Monk’s relatively small squad likely to be stretched in the second half of the campaign.
McCleary ran riot at Elland Road back in 2012, netting four in a 7-3 Nottingham Forest win, though all would be forgotten if he made the move north with only six months left on his contract at the Madejski.
According to the South Wales Evening Post, Monk was a keen admirer during his time with Swansea.
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