Bolton Wanderers v Leeds United: Warnock adamant that Leeds need to strengthen squad

The Elland Road club head to Bolton’s Reebok Stadium in fine heart after a week that has brought two Championship victories and a safe passage to the Capital One Cup fourth round.

Beating Nottingham Forest and Bristol City either side of upsetting the odds against top-flight Everton has left Leeds just one point adrift of the play-off places. It has also banished the gloom that had descended on the United faithful in the wake of the derby defeat to Hull City just a fortnight ago.

Even allowing for that upturn in mood, however, Warnock is adamant that new faces are still needed if the club are to have any hope of returning to the top flight.

The United manager said: “The squad is not deep enough, I think we can all see that. I have said all along what a good team we have and that much has been evident in the past week or so.

“In fact, I’d have backed the team that played at Bristol to have won any of our previous games this season. The problem for us, though, comes with injuries and suspensions, which are always going to happen in a season.

“I’d say we need three or four extra players in the squad to make us really competitive over the season. I can’t see anyone coming in before Bolton but there may be something before the weekend at home to Barnsley.”

The visit of Keith Hill’s Reds to Elland Road will be United’s final game before the international break and Warnock admits it can not come soon enough.

“I think we could all do with an opportunity to catch our breath,” he said. “It has been so hectic, what with all the games and our attempts to strengthen.

“The lads who have been injured will also benefit. I’d expect Paul Green to be fit by the time we resume (on October 19 at Sheffield Wednesday), while a few have been carrying niggles.”

United’s 4-1 defeat at Bolton in May, 2004, signalled the end of their stay in the Premier League with two games still remaining.

The Yorkshire club stood six points adrift of safety but had such a wretched goal difference that only a couple of remarkable results against Charlton and Chelsea – games Leeds drew 3-3 and lost 1-0 – would have brought a reprieve. As the final few seconds were being played out at the Reebok, the travelling fans sang ‘We’re going down but we’ll be back’ in defiance. The reality, however, has been rather different with only the 2005-2006 season offering any genuine hope that Leeds could return to the top flight when Kevin Blackwell’s side battled through to the play-off final only to lose against Watford.

Last six games: Bolton Wanderers LLWLWL, Leeds United DLLWWW.

Referee: P Dowd (Staffordshire).

Last time: Bolton Wanderers 4 Leeds United 1; May 2, 2004; Premiership.