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« på: Januar 16, 2007, 16:23:23 »
Leeds closing in on O'Brien transferIan Appleyard
PORTSMOUTH defender Andy O'Brien could be on the way to Leeds United after the collapse of a proposed move to Charlton Athletic.
The former Bradford City player was set to join Charlton as part of a swap deal involving Senegalese international Souleymane Diawara, but is now back at Fratton Park and surplus to requirements.
Leeds have been told they can have the Republic of Ireland international as soon as manager Harry Redknapp has landed a new centreback.
Harrogate-born O'Brien, 27, made over 150 appearance for Bradford City before joining Premiership side Newcastle United in a £2m deal six years ago.
He subsequently spent four years on Tyneside before moving to Portsmouth for £2m at the start of last season.
Since the arrival of former England international Sol Campbell, however, he has made only three Premiership appearances and become frustrated with life on the south coast.
A return to his native Yorkshire is now on the cards with Leeds manager Dennis Wise desperate to bolster his squad for the battle against relegation to Coca-Cola League One.
Wise has already made six signings this month but the £2m departure of Matthew Kigallon to Sheffield United and the end of Ugo Ehiogu's loan deal from Middlesbrough has maintained the need for extra defensive cover.
Leeds are currently six points adrift of safety in the Championship relegation zone but have a game in hand following the weekend postponement of the away game at Birmingham City, which has now been re-scheduled for Tuesday February 27, 7.45pm.
They have the worst defensive record in the division, having conceded 49 goals in 27 games, and have taken only five points from the last 24 available.
O'Brien is likely to sign on loan until the end of the season – and could even be on the books before Saturday's home game with West Bromwich Albion.
But much rests on Portsmouth's ability to sign a new centre-back with Frenchman Younes Kaboul, 21, currently discussing a move from Auxerre.
O'Brien was not even on the bench for last weekend's trip to Sheffield United where new £1m signing Djimi Traore provided centre-back cover after the
substitution of Linvoy Primus.
So far this month, Leeds have signed Coventry City's Matt Heath, Espanyol's Armando Sa, former Newcastle United defender Robbie Elliott, former Chelsea striker Tore Andre Flo, Barnet's Tresor Kandol, Celtic midfield player Alan Thompson, and extended Hayden Foxe's deal until the end of the season.
Leeds, meanwhile, have written to Birmingham
City requesting that all supporters who bought tickets for Saturday's game – which was postponed due to a water-logged pitch – are reimbursed not only for
the cost of their tickets,
but for any travel costs incurred.
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