Warnock admits he would actually like to keep Danny.
Neil Warnock has revealed ideally Danny Pugh will stay on at Leeds, however the current financial stand-off at ER means that if he wishes to bring in a new face or two before the transfer window shuts, Pugh will have to go.
Pugh only re joined Leeds last January in a permanent deal that is believed to have cost Leeds £500,000, however Warnock made the utility man available for transfer just under a fortnight ago when it was revealed that the exclusivity period granted to a Middle Eastern based consortium interested in buying the club had ended.
Warnock has wryly admitted he has been envisaging two budgets during the summer, one where he splashes the cash and another which he has had to stick too, free-transfers and bargain basement signings.
Pugh never really hit great heights last season and most fans were disappointed he was effectively our big signing of the campaign. He is a good experienced pro however, but as yet there has been no takers.
Warnock also listed winger Robbie Rogers on the same day, who unfortunately has the knack of coming on as a sub and leaving on a stretcher a couple of minutes later. Some fans felt that Rogers has not been given a chance, like Pugh he only arrived in the winter but surely Warnock has seen enough of the American behind closed doors to make a sound decision.
Warnock's squad trimming continued with Paul Connolly moving to Portsmouth on a months loan at the weekend. Connolly was booked during Pompeys 1-1 draw with Bournemouth. The length of his loan will hardly provide a long-term solution to Warnock's book-balancing, however it seems this is how the south-coast crisis club are having to do business given their uncertain future. I understand they have made fourteen similar one month loan signings.
Warnock still has the likes of Paul Rachubka and Ramon Nunez on the list,with potential buyers hardly queuing up to buy them. With just a year left on his contract and the notoriety he earned last Autumn for his clangers againgst Peterborough, Coventry and Blackpool, I am amazed Leeds have not simply paid Rachubka off.
Alex Cairns, who replaced Rachubka at half time following that nightmare against tonight's opponents Blackpool, has joined Stalybridge Celtic on a month long loan.