Leeds United’s search for an additional striker has heightened with news that Billy Paynter’s shin injury could keep him out of action for between six and eight weeks.

At first United thought Paynter’s injury, collected on the tour to Slovakia, was a minor problem and he was pencilled in for a possible return at Hartlepool tomorrow.

However, after a reassessment Paynter now looks set to miss the early weeks of the season. With Jermaine Beckford having joined Everton and Davide Somma and Max Gradel facing suspensions of three and four matches, respectively, from the season’s start, manager Simon Grayson is short of attacking artillery.