Leeds manager Simon Grayson has defended his policy of playing the loans market and insists club chairman Ken Bates has backed him with cash.

Grayson this week signed Preston central defender Neil Collins and Arsenal winger or striker Sanchez Watt on loan until the end of the season, while Shane Lowry rejoined United on loan from Aston Villa.

Some Leeds fans believe Grayson should have splashed more cash on permanent signings this season.

But Max Gradel is the only player to have signed on a permanent transfer in 2010 and the fee Leeds paid Leicester for the winger was undisclosed.

Grayson said: “Every manager would love to go out and spend £5million to £10million in every transfer window but in the real world that doesn’t happen. Every time I have asked for a player, the chairman has backed me and credit to him.

“I genuinely believe the group we have had for large parts of the season has been good enough. The loan market is there to freshen things up with new faces in the dressing room and to increase competition or places.

“People claim loan players don’t try as hard because they are not our players but I don’t go along with that. They play for their own pride and once they put on the shirt of any club they give it their best shot, regardless of whether they have a short-term contract or not.

“If someone comes in on loan and doesn’t try, he will go back to his club and not get a chance there. It is an opportunity for footballers to enhance their reputations, maybe earn contracts here or do well enough to get into the first team at their clubs when they return.”