Young Premiership players looking to join a Championship club on loan want to make Leeds United their first port of call.

That’s the message Leeds manager Simon Grayson has gleaned from the players’ agents as he looks to strengthen his squad further following promotion from League One.

None of the six players brought in by Grayson so far this summer has arrived from a Premiership club but the manager said: “I have spoken to agents about Premier League players coming to us on loan.

“Unless those agents are talking absolute rubbish, they keep telling me the players want to come to us and our club is the first point of call.

“That shows what an attraction we are and hopefully what we can do in the future.”

Satisfying the players’ wage demands can be a stumbling block but last season Leeds took five on loan from Premiership clubs – Sanchez Watt (Arsenal), Shane Lowry (Aston Villa), Gary McSheffrey (Birmingham), Sam Vokes (Wolves) and Frank Fielding (Blackburn). With the exception of Fielding, all made first-team debuts for the Elland Road club.

Grayson added: “Every manager in the country would like to make a few more signings and I am no exception. We have done ever so well to get six players in. That is probably more than some clubs will sign over the course of the season.

“We will see where we need strengthening further and what is available.”

Grayson will be assisted in his search by technical director Gwyn Williams and new chief scout Mervyn Day.

* Richard Naylor came safely through 45 minutes of a 3-0 win for a Leeds United XI at Gainsborough Trinity last night.

The Leeds captain was making his first appearance since recovering from a hamstring injury received towards the end of last season and the intention was always to play him for half the game.

Max Gradel scored twice and Davide Somma netted the other goal but both are due to serve suspensions from the start of next season after dismissals during the last campaign.

* Leeds-based Hesco Bastion have signed a five-year deal to sponsor the club’s East Stand. The company’s products and services are designed to protect the British military in conflict and have saved hundreds of lives.