Brian McDermott is in line to succeed Neil Warnock as the manager of Leeds. The 52-year-old has held advanced talks with the club's owners, GFH Capital, who want McDermott in place as soon as possible to guide the team away from relegation trouble in the Championship.

Warnock left Elland Road 10 days ago following the home defeat to Derby County, while a run of four straight losses has seen Leeds slip to within five points of the bottom three with five games remaining.

McDermott was sacked by Reading last month after four successive league defeats had left the club second from bottom in the Premier League. He guided Reading to the Championship title last season as the Berkshire club won 15 of their last 19 matches to reach the top flight for only the second time in their history.

McDermott, named the Premier League manager of the month for January, was an early frontrunner for the vacancy at Elland Road and has said he is "very, very hungry" to get straight back into management.

The Sky Sports presenter David Jones tweeted: "Brian McDermott has pulled out of tonight's Footballers' Football Show. I'm told he has a very good reason."

Leeds released a short statement that said: "The process of appointing a permanent replacement for Neil Warnock has progressed significantly this week and when all matters are finalised we will be in a position to make a formal announcement.

"Neil Redfearn will remain as caretaker manager until such time when an appointment is made, and he is being kept informed of the situation by the club's board."