Leeds have sensationally taken Jermaine Beckford off the transfer list!

May we should not read too much into Friday afternoons dramatic developments, but having feared our top-scorer for the past few seasons was on his way to the likes of Sheffield United, Newcastle, QPR, Coventry or even Doncaster, for the time being he is staying in Leeds.

Arguably this makes very little difference to the status quo! Beckford has simply been withdrawn from the list Leeds put him on back in May, having failed to agree to an improved contract.

Obviously any club is still free to try and sign Beckford until the transfer-window shuts at the end of the summer and the same would apply when it reopens in January 2010.

Beckford has just one year left on his contract and in 12-months time he could do a "Bosman" and leave on a free.

Ken Bates confirmed the news on Friday afternoon on Yorkshire Radio. Bates said "I've discussed the situation with Simon and we've taken Jermaine off the transfer list."

The reaction from the fans will be interesting, but I hope they don't give him a hard time. Beckford has plenty of critics on the terraces, who brand him a "big time Charlie" and questioned his temperament but at this level he is a proven class act and we are guaranteed 20-30 goals from him if he stays next season and obviously avoids serious injury.

At the end of the day, back in May it was Bates and Grayson who decided to list the player. He did not demand a transfer, he acted perfectly within his rights to snub the offer of a new-deal which would run on from his current one.

Although I hate to see players leave Leeds for reasons other than money, I'm not ready to hurl the pelters at Becks just yet. With the club slow to make new-signings this summer I would not blame him in sitting tight and waiting to see where we are come May 2010. He will turn 26 in December and surely time is running out for him to have a crack at the big-time?

If we do go up then maybe we would have more chance of keeping him!

Becks will be looking to add to his brace against Shelbourne on Tuesday night when Leeds face Northern Irish champions Glentoran tomorrow (Saturday, kick off 3pm).

Glentoran had a miserable midweek trip to Israel, crashing 6-0 to Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League third qualifying round. Tickets are priced at £10 for adults, £7 for concessions paid on the gate on the day.

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