Blackpool almost signed Leeds United defender Leif Davis, reports claim

No such deal for the left-back materialised and Pool signed James Husband permanently, while bringing in Marc Bola on loan from Middlesbrough.

However, Davis underwent surgery on a knee cartilage injury in January, which would have prevented any loan move then.

Davis is well thought of at Elland Road and, when fit, is expected to be on the cusp of Marcelo Bielsa’s 18-man matchday squad.

The Newcastle-born defender, who was signed from Morecambe in 2018, is expected to head out on loan in search of regular football, with Stuart Dallas, Ezgjan Alioski and Barry Douglas all ahead of him in the pecking order.

Bielsa told LeedsLive last December: “Davis is a great player, full of future, resources and skills.

“But so far Alioski, Douglas and Dallas are playing. Maybe for this reality he is not inside the group of 11 but all his tendencies are good.

“In my opinion, Davis was far from the first- team in our first year. He worked a lot, with brilliant willing, a lot of effort, dedication ... he gives everything.

“The young players must be patient because they don’t have another choice.

“The choice is don’t be involved in the team or show they are better than the players who are playing.”

Davis has made three Championship appearances for Leeds this season and four last season, and was on the winning side every time.