Does Paynter departure hinge on keeping Keogh?

Billy Paynter's expected departure from Elland Road may hinge on Leeds' desire to keep Andy Keogh.

Keogh currently in-form and on-loan from Wolves will be at ER until at least the end of December but recent goals against Doncaster and in Saturday's dramatic win over Peterborough has seen his value to Leeds soar.

Initially I thought Keogh was just signed to cover the loss of Becchio, now he is keeping Elland Road's favourite Argentine out of the side and having adding goals to his immense hard work Id be delighted if Leeds were able to keep the lad we once let go to Scunthorpe for just £50,000.

Obviously it is going to cost more than that to bring him back "home" - you would be looking at around one million at least Id say and surely that kind of dough is out of our transfer policy.

Another striker who's future has been under discussion is Billy Paynter. Like the fans, Simon Grayson seems to be very much undecided about the big striker and has said recently he could go out on loan - Grayson however is keen not to send him to another Championship squad despite Paynter not doing anything of note during his 18 months at ER.

However remember how Tresor Kandol inspired Millwall during 2008?

Brighton have been tracking him for ages and Leeds snubbed an offer from Gus Poyet during the summer. The Uruguyan boss of the fast-fading Seagulls has been quoted in today's press as saying Paynter is clearly "unwanted" at ER and they are interested in bringing him to the Amex.

League One Preston are another club reportedly interested but there appears to be an issue on his wages.

Ironically it was at Deepdale in March that Paynter tasted his only real moment of glory in a Leeds shirt, scoring the winner in our 2-1 triumph.

Surely the best option all round would be to send Billy off to Preston on-loan out of harms way with the view to a permanent transfer and hopefully secure the services of young Keogh in January?

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