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Sky Sports is claiming that Leeds United are lining up a move for former Bristol City striker Darren Byfield who is, unexpectedly, now a free agent.

Although fourth-placed Bristol City reached the Championship Play-off final at Wembley, defeat by Hull City means another season in the second tier and the reaction of the Ashton gate club has been to release their top scorer after just one season in the Robins shirt!

Admittedly, Byfield only netted eight times as top scorer last season and City may see that lack of goals in their squad as the reason they finished fourth instead of gaining automatic promotion, but the numbers do not point to Byfield being the weak link.

Byfield scored eight goals in 17 starts plus 16 subs; a former Leeds target Dele Adebola scored 6 in 16 starts and one sub appearance, McIndoe scored only 5 in 45 starts and Elliot got only 5 in 44 starts plus one sub; finally former Swansea City superstar, Lee Trundle, got just 5 in 21 starts plus 14 subs - and its Byfield who walks?

So the Jamaican international played his part in City’s promotion push and is available but will he move to Leeds? Swansea City and Doncaster Rovers have been linked to 31 year-old Byfield and notionally have the advantage of being in the Championship, however, football is about money - which means it is down to Leeds to say, in money terms, whether they want Byfield more than the others.

Is an eight goal-a-season striker good enough for Leeds United - over to you!

Young Leeds United midfielder Jonny Howson has agreed a new contract that ties him to Leeds United until 2011.

The deal provides an unusual clause that automatically extends Howson’s contract by a year if Leeds United are promoted to the Championship.

Leeds manager Gary McAllister told the official club website,

“We’re all delighted. He’s a player who has come through the academy and is a local lad.

“He’s got an eye for goal and has a nice mix to his game.

“He has a lot of potential and a lot of ammunition to develop his game and I’m pleased I’ve got the opportunity to help his development.”

The 20-year old made his Leeds United debut versus Barnet in the Carling Cup in September 2006 and has since gone on to be captain of his home-town club twice, score 5 goals and make 46 appearances. He memorably scored both goals in Leeds United League One, play-off semi-final, second-leg, victory at Carlisle United last season and played at the new Wembley in the final against Doncaster Rovers where he came within a whisker of giving United the lead in the first half.

Gary McAllister has turned his attention back to his native Scotland and Dundee United pair Mark Kerr and Noel Hunt.

Midfield holding player and Scotland B international Mark Kerr, is in particular demand; aged just 26 and out of contract this season. As with Derek Riordan Leeds face competition from Burnley and Preston, Coventry, Leicester City and Doncaster Rovers are also interested in Kerr.

Once again Burnley appear to have the upper hand as current Burnley boss Owen Coyle was in charge of Kerr both as reserve-team manager at Tannadice and at Falkirk. Kerr may stay in Scotland as both Aberdeen and Hearts would like to sign the player, Dundee United would prefer he didn’t go to rivals in the SPL but as Kerr is on a Bosman there is nothing they can do to stop him.

McAllister also faces tough competition for 18 goal striker Noel Hunt with Reading, Burnley, Blackpool and Nottingham Forest in the chase for his signature.

Burnley appear to be linked with every Scot as their manager is Scottish but with the impending departure of striker Kyle Lafferty for big bucks they would easily have the wherewithall to meet the £400,000 asking price for Hunt.

Leeds United too would have the money having offered more for Derek Riordan last week. Although the Anthony Elding situation complicates matters.

Blackpool may struggle as they only bid £175,000 last Janueary and Dundee are in no mood for bargain hunters now they are facing losing two of their best players.

Reading certainly have the money to attract Hunt with their £12m parachute payment from the Premier League and they have the added bonus that Noel’s brother Stephen Hunt plays for them - unless they don’t get on, in which case the connection is a negative!

“We’re planning to give Jonny Howson a new contract,” said Leeds United chairman Ken Bates on the club’s offcial website.

“If it hadn’t been for the play-offs it’s something we would have looked at already.

“Obviously there have been other priorities and we’ve had to delay discussions slightly, but we’ll look to sort it out quickly.”

20 year-old, Morley-born, Howson has played 35 times this season and even captained the side as stand-in for injured Jonathan Douglas. He came closer than anyone to scoring for Leeds in the Play-Off Final defeat to Doncaster Rovers but at least he knows he will be a first-choice starter next season under Gary McAllister.