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Billy blow such a Payn for Grayson....

Leeds set to miss Paynter for 6/8 weeks.

The Bradford T&A tonight claim that Billy Paynter will be missing for 6/8 weeks providing Simon Grayson with a massive striker crisis before a ball is even kicked in anger!

The big kick-off is just over two-weeks away and at the moment, it could be Lucciano Becchio and Mike Grella upfront against Derby. Becchio runs his socks off and weighs in with a respectable number of goals, but is unproven at Championship level. Grella has barely had a sniff of the action since arriving around 18-months ago.

Paynter has been diagnosed with a shin-problem. Last season's top-scorer Jermaine Beckford has moved to Everton reserves. Davide Somma who was impressive at League Two Lincoln and Max Gradel both have three and four match bans to sit out when the proper action starts - although Somma and Gradel bagged all three goals between them in last-nights Leeds X1 win at Gainsborough.

Grayson may be forced into either the loan or transfer market. Previously linked Gary Hooper now looks likely to be a signing for either Celtic or Newcastle.

Meanwhile another player linked with Leeds, James McArthur has today moved to Wigan in a £1m deal. Another midfielder being linked with Leeds is ex-Norwich man Darrel Russell but Preston North End may have already stolen a march on the 29-year-old.

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