Mac's hopeful over new Rui deal
Gary McAllister admits he is hopeful that influential centre-back Rui Marques will pin his colours to the United mast and pen a new deal.
The Angolan international – linked with a move to Crystal Palace – is locked in talks with the club about extending his time in West Yorkshire, with discussions having started two weeks ago.
Marques and his family are known to be settled in Leeds, but many fans fear that the stopper could walk away for nothing at the end of this season when his current 12-month deal expires if nothing is sorted out.
An ever-present and reassuring presence at the back prior to jetting off for African Nations Duty with Angola in January, Marques arrived back at Leeds last month with old boss Dennis Wise having left the club and McAllister sworn in.
But the Scot has quickly been alerted to the defensive prowess of Marques, while being keen to sort out the future of the key defender.
And despite admitting that progress has been "slow" thus far, the United chief remains confident the 30-year-old will stay.
McAllister, whose side face a must-win televised home clash with play-off rivals Walsall tomorrow, said: "Talks are ongoing – that's all I can say. There's agents and stuff involved and I don't think agents are the best friends of this club at the moment.
"But we're still very hopeful. In my court, I've only signed a three-and-a-bit-month contract here, but I've been saying to the club that I think it's in their interests to get it sorted.
"Things are going along, but it's slow. But it's going in the right direction."
Meanwhile, Palace chief Neil Warnock says that gossip regarding Marques switching to Selhurst Park is agent talk and is not paying too much notice.
Warnock told the YEP: "It's agent talk. Agents are ringing people all the time and lots of names are being mentioned to me.
"So I'm not commenting on anyone. It's all annoying me now, to be honest."
YEP
