Whites keen on Derry

Leeds United are reportedly set to follow up their interest in Crystal Palace midfielder Shaun Derry.

The Whites enquired about the 26-year-old last week and are now believed to want to firm up their approach.

Derry has been limited to a handful of starts this term, as The Eagles continue to settle in The Premiership.

Leeds are missing the likes of Seth Johnson and Eirik Bakke, and manager Kevin Blackwell is keen to bolster his midfield options.

"He's definitely someone who can do a job for us," Blackwell said. "He helped win the Championship last season with Palace and was with Portsmouth when they won the Championship.

"He has vital experience of how to get out of this division and that's what concerns me at this moment in time."

Meanwhile, as Palace look to give some of their fringe players some football, Iain Dowie has allowed Darren Powell to join West Ham United.

The experienced central defender has joined the Upton Park side on a month's loan and made his debut against Millwall on Sunday.