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Martin Cranie's proposed move to Leeds United is currently in the balance after the free agent decided to sit out Saturday's 3-1 pre season friendly win at Preston.
The defender took the decision to miss the win as he is still yet to agree a contract at Leeds, which saw him reluctant to gamble his fitness with the start of the new season just around the corner.
The 25-year-old has been without a club after he left Coventry City at the end of last season. He has been trying to earn a deal with Leeds for much of pre-season which has seen him feature in the tours of Devon, Cornwall and their fixture in Norway.
Manager Neil Warnock has described Cranie as a 'squad player', and he has no complaints about Cranie's decision to sit out the game against Preston.
He also added he plans on holding further talks with Cranie as he told the Yorkshire Evening Post:
“It was his decision and I respected that. He didn’t want to risk getting injured so close to the start of the season and I couldn’t guarantee him a contract.”
Warnock is also hopeful of finalising the transfer of Billy Paynter to Doncaster Rovers shortly which shall end the strikers frustrating time at Elland Road.
The forward trained with Doncaster last week after he had failed to impress during a trial at Blackpool. He shall leave Elland Road with a record of three goals in 28 appearances during a two year stay.
Warnock added:
“He should be going there today and we’ve had one or two other enquiries for players but there aren’t many more we want to move on.”
Leeds let another fringe player leave last week as Andy O'Brien moved on to the Vancouver Whitecaps after he had his contract terminated at Leeds.
Warnock commented on O'Brien's move:
“I think that’s a good thing. I couldn’t see Andy in my plans.”