Simon Grayson is busy lining up targets for the January transfer window as he addresses a need for freshness and competition for places at Leeds.

The new United boss has made a strong start to his Elland Road career and will be expected to maintain his unbeaten run when the side travel to bottom club Hereford on Saturday.

But he knows his defence in particular needs strengthening and has already been in discussions with Leeds’ technical director Gwyn Williams.

While Williams had drawn up a list of possible signings with previous manager Gary McAllister, Grayson is likely to have thoughts of his own.

If he is like most managers, that will include raiding his former club for players he knows well.

Top of the list of men he might want to poach from Blackpool is goalkeeper Paul Rachubka, whose contract at Bloomfield Road is up at the end of the season.

Born in California, Rachubka moved to England when he was seven and started his career at Manchester United.

Since then he has moved around with permanent moves to Charlton, Huddersfield and Blackpool and loan spells at Royal Antwerp, Northampton and Peterborough.

But his career has blossomed since Grayson signed him at Blackpool. He was a member of the play-off final side that won promotion to the Championship and has been ever-present since.

Another Blackpool player likely to figure on the Leeds wanted list is Welsh international Rob Edwards.

But it could prove much harder to shift the former Aston Villa and Wolves central defender, who Grayson made captain soon after signing him.