Manager's sly dig at Leeds United as club sweats over Sunderland transfer ahead of derby

Liam Bridcutt was training with Sunderland yesterday afternoon

SAM ALLARDYCE has branded Leeds United a "confused" club over their efforts to sign Liam Bridcutt from Sunderland.

 

Bridcutt, 26, was thought to be on his way to Leeds to secure a loan deal until January.

New manager Steve Evans insisted last night that the deal would be completed in time for Leeds' trip to Huddersfield in the West Yorkshire derby on Saturday.

But Allardyce yesterday insisted that wasn't the case.

 

“It looks like it’s confused, like Leeds seem to be," the newly-appointed Sunderland boss said.

“It doesn’t look like it’s going through because he turned up here for training.

"I’ll have to pick the phone up and speak to Steve Evans about it.”

 

Bridcutt is now unlikely to face Huddersfield in what is already turning out to be a crucial derby for these two crisis-stricken clubs.

Leeds are yet again in turmoil as their owner, Massimo Cellino, appeals against a second Football League ban since his took over the side in April 2014.

Cellino had verbally agreed to discuss the sale of his stake in the club to supporters' group Leeds Fans United - only to withdraw that offer.

 

As for Huddersfield, they sacked manager Chris Powell in the week after a string of bad results.

Former Borussia Dortmund coach David Wagner has taken charge at the John Smith's Stadium.