Leeds ready to splash the cash on Southampton striker Lambert



Rickie Lambert is the surprise name on Neil Warnock's wishlist for Leeds following the club's takeover by Dubai-based group GFH.

Warnock hopes to sign six players in January after GFH completed a reported £17million purchase from Ken Bates on Friday.

Target: Southampton striker Rickie Lambert

Signing strikers is Warnock's priority, with Southampton's Lambert and Brighton's Craig Mackail-Smith lined up as targets.

Lambert, 30, started the season on the Southampton bench but has scored six Premier League goals this season. However, he may be allowed to leave if the club sign other players.

Lambert has scored more than a goal every two games for Southampton and got his first chance to play in the Premier League this season after years in the lower reaches with Blackpool, Macclesfield, Stockport, Bristol Rovers and Rochdale.

However, the ambitions of Leeds may tempt him.

Mackail-Smith would cost Warnock around £1.5m.



