Post by Taxigirl on Jan 21, 2006 9:24:45 GMT
www.leedsunited.com
Norwegian international Eirik Bakke is back at Elland Road and is promising to give his all to the club in the drive for promotion.
Bakke returned from his loan spell at Aston Villa after it became clear the Midlands club were not able to extend his loan, nor offer him a permanent deal.
The midfielder has returned with a slight hamstring injury that is not expected to keep him out for long, if at all, but with Villa still holding his registration under the terms of the initial loan he is unable to play until February anyway.
The 28-year-old had been open to the idea of re-uniting with former Whites boss David O'Leary permanently at Villa Park, but with that prospect now seemingly over, he insists he will give everything he can to help United in their bid to return to the Premiership.
"My spell at Aston Villa is over," said Eirik.
"I am now returning to Leeds to give it my all. It will be nice to stop all the driving and it has been unbearable to be away from my family all the time.
"We are enjoying ourselves at Leeds and although it will be tough, I believe we have a good chance of securing promotion," he added on SkySports.Com.
United boss Kevin Blackwell had never ruled out Bakke's return to Elland Road and will be happy to include the former Sogndal man in his plans, having started the season with him before he left for Villa.
First though he has to break into the team, with Blackwell saying: "Eirik might not find it as easy as when he left, we've got a good set of lads in midfield who have been playing together well recently, but he offers another option."
Meanwhile Leeds are still waiting for international clearance for new signing Joel Griffiths.
The once-capped Australian international joined for a nominal fee from Swiss club Neuchatel Xamax and will be available for selection once clearance arrives from the Australian FA.
Blackwell is hoping the 26-year-old proves to be a bargain.
"He's a right sided midfielder with bags of enthusiasm and plenty of pace - that can be a big asset for us," he said.
"We got him for a snip too, he's played a lot of games in Switzerland so he's got some experience and we'll see how he turns out."
Norwegian international Eirik Bakke is back at Elland Road and is promising to give his all to the club in the drive for promotion.
Bakke returned from his loan spell at Aston Villa after it became clear the Midlands club were not able to extend his loan, nor offer him a permanent deal.
The midfielder has returned with a slight hamstring injury that is not expected to keep him out for long, if at all, but with Villa still holding his registration under the terms of the initial loan he is unable to play until February anyway.
The 28-year-old had been open to the idea of re-uniting with former Whites boss David O'Leary permanently at Villa Park, but with that prospect now seemingly over, he insists he will give everything he can to help United in their bid to return to the Premiership.
"My spell at Aston Villa is over," said Eirik.
"I am now returning to Leeds to give it my all. It will be nice to stop all the driving and it has been unbearable to be away from my family all the time.
"We are enjoying ourselves at Leeds and although it will be tough, I believe we have a good chance of securing promotion," he added on SkySports.Com.
United boss Kevin Blackwell had never ruled out Bakke's return to Elland Road and will be happy to include the former Sogndal man in his plans, having started the season with him before he left for Villa.
First though he has to break into the team, with Blackwell saying: "Eirik might not find it as easy as when he left, we've got a good set of lads in midfield who have been playing together well recently, but he offers another option."
Meanwhile Leeds are still waiting for international clearance for new signing Joel Griffiths.
The once-capped Australian international joined for a nominal fee from Swiss club Neuchatel Xamax and will be available for selection once clearance arrives from the Australian FA.
Blackwell is hoping the 26-year-old proves to be a bargain.
"He's a right sided midfielder with bags of enthusiasm and plenty of pace - that can be a big asset for us," he said.
"We got him for a snip too, he's played a lot of games in Switzerland so he's got some experience and we'll see how he turns out."