Leeds United are eyeing a move for a young defender currently plying his trade in League Two, and sent scouts to watch him in action in the FA Cup this weekend.
Farke not getting carried away after FA Cup victory
Leeds boss Daniel Farke said it was “perhaps not realistic” to start dreaming of Wembley glory after his side survived an FA Cup fourth-round scare by beating Birmingham 4-2 on penalties.
Sean Longstaff converted the winning spot-kick at a fired-up St Andrew’s after Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri had saved Tommy Doyle’s effort and Patrick Roberts blazed his over the crossbar.
It was especially cruel on Roberts, who had stepped off the bench to send the tie into extra time with a deserved 89th-minute equaliser after Lukas Nmecha’s second-half opener for the visitors.
Farke, whose side reached the last 16 for the third time in five seasons, said: “We know that the recent history of this club is not great in the FA Cup, but we’re on a little run already and that’s quite good.
“It’s perhaps not realistic to dream already about winning at Wembley. But I’m believer in the cup competition. I like a proper cup run and, whenever there’s a chance to go into the next (round), we want to grab it with both hands.”
Leeds rode out a first-half storm and then a late Blues fightback as Jay Stansfield’s volley was tipped on to the crossbar, while substitute Ibrahim Osman hit a post in time added on before extra time.
Farke added: “Really well done and congratulations first of all to Birmingham. They made this really difficult for us. Like we expected, a fantastic home performance. You could feel this team is in red hot form.
“I think eight games unbeaten in the league and of course the stadium was buzzing. Everyone was on it today.
“But this will be great for the spirit within our group and the whole unity and togetherness. Each game you win, even the scruffy games, is good for the confidence.”
Having used virtually a full senior squad for the trip to St Andrew’s, Farke and Co now have their eyes on a promising young talent to bolster their defensive ranks.
Leeds are long-term admirers of Tottenham loan star
Leeds have been long-term admirers of Salford City defender Alfie Dorrington, Football FanCast sources understand, and sent scouts to both watch him and teammate Matty Young in FA Cup action this weekend.
Dorrington, who joined the League Two outfit on loan from Tottenham in the winter transfer window, has appeared in the top flight before, but spent the previous 12 months on loan at Scottish Premiership outfit Aberdeen, where he lifted the Scottish Cup.
The 20 year-old, who is an imposing figure at 6 foot 4, scored an unfortunate own goal in Salford's 2-0 defeat away at Manchester City this weekend, but performed admirably with Leeds officials watching on, making two blocks and four clearances and helping limit City to only a couple of clear-cut chances.