Ken Bates has predicted that the transfer-market will "hot up" in the next fortnight as Leeds release the squad numbers for 2009/10.

To me, the squad numbers are yet another wretched curse of the modern-game. For some however they provide an inside view of who will be part of Simon Grayson's plans on a regular basis this season.

I really cannot be bothered to replicate the list in full, so if you need to know visit the official Leeds United website. The list is pretty much the same as last season, with the usual suspects Ankegren (1), Marques (5) and Beckford (9) staying put. New signings Crowe, Kisnorbo and Higgs get the 2, 3 and 12 shirts respectively. Crocked Richard Naylor has the number 6 shirt.

The coveted number 4 shirt which was Billy Bremner's during the glory days has been left vacant. The last occupant was Jonathan Douglas, who has since moved to Swindon on a free transfer.

Bates declared that Grayson still has "some vacancies to fill" and predicted things will start moving in the next fortnight. He claimed that many clubs need to sell before they buy, but insisted this was not the case for Leeds however there was "one player" they were keen to offload because he did not figure in Grayson's plans. However no business is expected before August.

The whites' unveil yet another new kit (I've stopped buying or caring now having collected every shirt from the past 21 years!) later today (Saturday) when United face Blackburn in a pre-season friendly at ER.

Photo: Action Images

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