Simon Grayson is stepping up his search for new players but insists he won’t be rushed into buying the wrong people.

“We are working hard behind the scenes to get one or two things done regarding signings,’ the Leeds boss said.

"It is obviously frustrating for supporters because they want to see a big influx of players straightaway.

"There have been opportunities to bring players in but they weren’t going to make us any better. I think over the next few weeks players will become available for money, on free transfers or on loan, so it is all about being patient and hopefully we will get the right players in."

Grayson made it clear that among his top priorities are to strengthen midfield and to bring in another keeper to join his only new signing to date, Paul Rachubka.

"There is no disguising that losing Neil Kilkenny and Bradley Johnson has left us short in the middle of the park so that is a priority for strengthening, though there may be players in other positions coming in.

"We have two or three good options to sign another goalkeeper. It is an area we know we need to strengthen, but it is a question of getting the right one in terms of ability and the financial package."

Asked about Real Madrid’s former Liverpool keeper, Jerzy Dudek, 38, with whom Leeds have been linked, Grayson said: ‘He is probably on a list of six or seven in his position who are available and might be a proposition but we have to get the right balance – are they fit enough, do they have the hunger and do they fit into the wage structure of the football club?’ The same criteria may apply to Tomasz Kuszczak, who has also been speculated about. He has a year left on his contract and has been number two or three at Manchester United.

And fitness and wages is the likely stumbling block to the return of former Leeds trio of Jonathan Woodgate, Alan Smith and Lee Bowyer.

"If Woodgate and Smith were available, fit and fitted into the budget, they would be a major consideration because of the level they have played at and what they have done, but there are a lot of ingredients that go into making signings." Grayson warned.

"You have to weigh up if it would be a risk bringing in players who would be at the top end of our budget and who had not played a lot of football over the last year or so, but we are not ruling it out.

"Lee Bowyer is available on a free transfer. He is a fit lad who had a good year last year in the Premier League. We have looked at the situation and we will have to wait and see."