LEEDS United head coach Neil Redfearn has urged disgruntled supporters to give owner Massimo Cellino time to turn around the ailing club’s fortunes.

The Whites have faltered badly in recent weeks and lie just one point above the Championship relegation zone.

Yet the controversial Italian seems certain to bring in new players this month, despite the possibility that the Football League will succeed in banning him as owner of United in the coming weeks.

Leeds are attempting to loan Slovenian midfielder Rene Krhin from Inter Milan and have also lined up a deal to take striker Leonardo Pavoletti from Sassuolo on a temporary basis until the end of the season.

Redfearn, who takes his side to Sunderland in the FA Cup third round tomorrow, said: “The owner’s put a lot of money in and he’s got a plan and a vision.

“It’s in its infancy and at this moment it’s tough. I’m not speaking for them all but I think the vast majority (of the supporters) realise we’ve got a new owner and he’s got a vision for the club.

“They realise we’ve got a young side who are going through change. In the conversations I’ve had with Massimo, he said it was going to take two years for him to put it all together here.

“He’s been in this situation before at Cagliari. He’s been in a situation where it was tough. Like I said, it’s in its infancy at the moment so it’s going to take time.”

Redfearn is looking forward to the trip to the Stadium of Light, adding: “It’s a good game to look forward to for us. We’ve got to be positive.

“I understand that we’ve got a young side and I understand that they’re going to make mistakes.

“But as the person at the front of it, I have to be there for them and be positive for them when things are not so good.”

Leeds are likely to be without injured defenders Stephen Warnock and Jason Pearce, who are nursing ankle and knee injuries respectively.