Warnock cools automatic talk

Neil Warnock: Leeds boss believes automatic promotion may be beyond his side

Leeds boss Neil Warnock does not think his side is good enough to win automatic promotion this season.

But he does think they have a chance of ending an eight-year exodus from the top flight via the play-offs.

Warnock said: "If I put my hand on my heart, I don't think we're automatic promotion material.

"That's not me being defeatist, I'm just being realistic about the squad we've got. I'm telling you what I see.

Optimistic

"As far as the play-offs go, I'm optimistic that we'll have as good a chance as most clubs of getting in there.

"You need a bit of luck to finish in the top six and you can't always rely on luck but, first and foremost, you need the players. I'm going into the season with a lot of the players I wanted."

Ten new faces have arrived at Elland Road this summer, with the controversial El-Hadji Diouf expected to be the 11th.

Warnock, who introduced similar sweeping changes before leading QPR to an unexpected Championship title in 2011, added: "We're not the finished article and we do need a couple more players but if I can't sign anyone else before the season starts then I'd still be happy going into it.

"I really mean that. I've got genuine players here and I also know that teams will have to be really good to beat us. Really good."