Leijer lines up Leeds loan

Fulham defender Adrian Leijer is set to be loaned out to League One Leeds or a London-based Championship club as he battles to keep his Olympic Games dream alive.

Last season's Young A-League player of the Year has yet to play a Premier League match for the relegation-haunted Londoners since his arrival in August and is ready to take a step back to move forward again with the League One promotion hunters.

With the Beijing Games just seven months away, Leijer, 21, knows he has to be playing regularly to be a part of coach Graham Arnold's jigsaw.

But his hopes of a move to Yorkshire have been put on hold for at least a week with new Fulham boss Roy Hodgson insisting he wants to assess his merits before letting him go anywhere.

"I know I need regular football and that hasn't happened yet at Fulham. There is a loan deal in the offing, it's been discussed and it's something I would certainly do," Leijer explained.

"It's not a matter of me wanting to leave Fulham. I have a three-year contract and I want to be a success there."

"But with the Olympics coming up I want to give myself every chance of being selected. We've got an excellent squad and I believe we are genuine contenders."

"I really want to be a part of it and going out on loan could help me achieve that. I've been playing in the reserves but I need to be doing more than that," the former Melbourne Victory defender continued.

"I miss the crowds and atmospheres of big games. Winning the title in front of nearly 55,000 people with Melbourne last season seems a long way off now but I have no regrets."

"The level is that much faster here and I've been learning a lot just training with Premier League players."

"It's so different from the A-League and it takes time to adapt."

He was spotted by Leeds coach Dennis Wise in Dubai - in camp for the Olyroos as they prepared for the final tilt of their qualifying process - and is now ready to follow in the footprints of Aussie luminaries like Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka and Paul Okon by heading for Elland Road.

Leeds has fallen from a UEFA Champions League semi final in 2001 to English football's third tier and the ignominy of administration in a disastrous six years.

It began the season with a 15 point penalty - imposed as a sanction for its perilous financial position - but is making strides towards a revival of sorts under Wise.

The closest Leijer has come to playing for Fulham has been three appearances on the bench for a side looking to new coach Roy Hodgson to rescue it from the drop.

Though he insists homesickness has never been a factor, Leijer admits it's been a steep learning curve and has found solace in the support of fellow former Geelong resident Josip Skoko.

The former Socceroos midfielder, who has faced his own problems breaking back in to the Wigan first team this season, has been in constant touch with Leijer.

"We're from the same town and he's offered me lots of encouragement and advice, which has gone down well," added Leijer, who also keeps the lines of communication open with former Melbourne mentor Kevin Muscat.

Leijer is surprised by the Victory's travails this season but insists the club will be a force in next edition of the AFC Champions League.

"It's been a difficult time for them and it's very disappointing for the fans. But Ernie Merrick is still a good coach and the team is still strong."

"Ernie has been copping flak but people have to realise he built that team and look at what he achieved last season."

"I think they will put on a good show in the Champions League and also in the next A-League season."

"I still follow them very closely but I have no regrets over the path I have taken. I'm looking at the big picture and I like what I see."

top