Leeds United have lost patience with Neil Kilkenny over contract negotiations and announced that the midfielder is set to move on.

Kilkenny, who is in Australia with his national squad preparing for two friendly matches next month, was hoping to sort out his future on his return to this country, but Leeds are not prepared to wait any longer.

United had already given up hope of re-signing Bradley Johnson, and now Kilkenny is on his way out of the club too.

Manager Simon Grayson said: “This is another issue we wanted resolving as we have to prepare for next season. I’m keen to move on so we can plan accordingly in terms of what we need.”

United say neither Kilkenny nor his agent has confirmed acceptance of the club’s contract offer to the player.

Meanwhile, Davide Somma may have only been Simon Grayson’s first-choice striker 13 times last season but he is being tipped to be South Africa’s new Benni McCarthy.

McCarthy is Bafana Bafana’s top scorer with 31 goals in 79 games, and Leeds United legend Lucas Radebe reckons Somma could make the same kind of impact.

Somma, whose career has taken him to the USA and Italy, as well as loan spells at Chesterfield and Lincoln City, found himself coming off the bench for much of Leeds’ season, but still managed a creditable 12 goals and did enough to catch the eye of the South African coach Pitso Mosimane.

He made his international debut against the USA in November and is now in the squad for next month’s African Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt.

It was Radebe who first recommended Somma to Mosimane after seeing him play at Elland Road, and the former Leeds skipper said: ‘What a great guy and what great potential as well.

‘When I first saw him I realised that he can offer something different to the national team.

‘He can score goals and we need someone who can be prolific like Benni McCarthy, someone who we can put our faith in and someone who is quality.

‘I think Davide Somma is that kind of player.’