LAFFERTY WON’T BE OFF TO ELLAND BACK!
KYLE Lafferty will not join Leeds on loan after Norwich blocked his proposed move, insisting he will not be leaving Carrow Road.
The Northern Ireland forward has played just two games for the Canaries this season and Leeds had been eager to bring him in on loan.
Elland Road boss Steve Evans got in touch with Norwich counterpart Alex Neil about the proposed move, explaining on Thursday that he was optimistic about bringing in Lafferty before Thursday’s emergency loan deadline.
“He’s done terrifically well for Northern Ireland and I have placed a call in to Alex Neil to see what the situation is,” said the former Rotherham and Crawley chief. “Kyle needs to be playing.”
However Neil has revealed that there will be no more movement from Carrow Road before Christmas, meaning that Lafferty, 28, will stay put.
“I told Steve he is not going,” said Neil. “There will be no more players going out on loan or leaving the club in any shape or form until January.
“I haven’t had to speak to Kyle. He knows the situation. I have spoken to him on numerous occasions and he is fully aware of the situation he is in.
“He was on the bench in the last game so that hasn’t changed.
“When we get to January then we can sit down and look at it again.”
With Lafferty staying put, Leeds will need to look elsewhere for goals, and in-form striker Mirco Antenucci is keen to prolong his stay, with his contract up at the end of the season.
“I would like a new contract but it’s not my decision,” said the 31-year-old.
“For now I’ll just put myself on the pitch, give good quality for the team, for myself and wait for a call – or not.
“I’m focused on my work. I don’t think about the contract. I focus on the work and focus on Leeds, every day at Thorp Arch.”