LEEDS United are refusing to give up in their chase to sign Wanderers full-back Paul Robinson on loan.

Neil Warnock has pin-pointed the experienced defender as the ideal man to add steel to his dressing room at Elland Road but has so far been given little encouragement by the player himself.

Robinson is keen to fight for his place under Owen Coyle, having been first-choice left-back up until the end of last year.

Sam Ricketts’ return from injury saw the 33-year-old drop down to the bench, barring two appearances against Macclesfield Town in the FA Cup, and Marcos Alonso’s return to fitness in recent weeks has added even more competition for the shirt.

It is understood Wanderers are willing to allow Robinson to leave on loan, with a recall clause, and that two other Championship clubs have also enquired about his services.

An agreement is still some way off, although sources in Yorkshire are suggesting Leeds are pinning their hopes on Robinson after negotiations with Leicester City’s Matt Mills stalled.

Championship clubs have until the end of March to complete emergency loans, but Warnock wants a man in place as quickly as possible to revive flagging hopes of a play-off berth.

Meanwhile, Wanderers head to Manchester City this weekend looking to upset the Premier League’s only perfect home record.

The Blues have not lost on home turf since facing Everton in December 2010 - a week after they had squeezed past Owen Coyle’s side with a solitary Carlos Tevez strike.

Defender David Wheater concedes that the Whites face an arduous task on Saturday to further their own fight against the drop.

But the centre-half drew some encouragement from a stubborn rearguard display against Chelsea last weekend, and reckons a similar approach will be needed over 90 minutes against City if Wanderers are to upset the form book.

“I can see us going about the game exactly the same way as we did in the first half (at Stamford Bridge) because you have got to stop teams like Chelsea and Manchester City from playing and then go on the counter attack,” he said.

“Manchester City have got a team full of international stars but if we learn the lessons then there's no reason why we can't get something out of it.

“I think everyone has got to be ready for the challenge because if they're not, it's going to be a tough, tough time.

“We need points, it's that simple, and we need them now.”