PAUL Sturrock believes new boy Chris Blackburn, pictured, has the potential to become a very saleable asset' after rubberstamping his two-year County Ground deal.

The cultured defender arrives at the County Ground having spent the last few seasons in the non-league wilderness but Sturrock is confident the step-up won't be a bridge too far.

While he faces stiff competition for a regular slot, with Ady Williams, Hasney Aljofree, Andy Nicholas, Miguel Comminges, Jamie Vincent, Jack Smith and Jerel Ifil all vying for a defensive slot - Sturrock insists he is more than competitive.

He said: "The important thing is to get Chris on the training ground because there are parts of the game we have to work on. But then it is the same with everyone.

"He could be an asset and could be saleable in the future. He is at the age where no one knows anything about him but he really could make good progress.

"We have had him watched over a period of time and are impressed.

"John Blackley will be under severe pressure because he feels he is really good defensively. I have no doubt we have taken a good player.

"He has come in to be competitive for the centre half position. He has been converted from a midfielder and has been a defender now for two years."

  • Ken Bates has insisted that Leeds have been given "a clean start" after his consortium bought the troubled League One club - but doubts remain over the club's Football League future.

The Elland Road club were put up for sale on Friday by administrators KPMG after the Inland Revenue launched a legal challenge to Bates' original plans to buy back the club from administration.

However the Football League had warned KPMG that they would not allow Leeds to start life in League One if they were sold without a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) in place - and that uncertainty hangs over the club.