Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill weighs up £2million bid for Leicester midfielder

Jul 14 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

Leeds boss Simon Grayson says Delph and transfer-listed striker Jermaine Beckford remain focused on the new season after they put in committed performances during a pre-season friendly at York.

“They played on Sunday and were on the plane to Ireland with us on Monday,” he said.

“They’re under contract here. It’s well documented that we had the bids, but they’re our players.

“It’ll be a group decision if anything changes but, whatever happens, it will be the right decision for the club.

“They’re both working hard and will be fit and ready to go for August 8, and that’s all they can do.

“They will be focused, no doubt about that.”

King, who made his senior debut in a 0–0 draw against Wolves in October 2007, is with Leicester on their pre-season workout in Slovenia.

He has two years remaining of a three-year contract he signed in August 2008.

King’s performances last year earned him the club’s Young Player of the season award. He was also nominated for Players’ Player and Player of the Season awards, but lost out to Matty Fryatt and Steve Howard.

He won his first Wales cap in May when he replaced Manchester City’s Ched Evans in the final minute of the friendly against Estonia.

O’Neill is keen to bring in Stewart Downing from Middlesbrough and Portsmouth’s Sylvain Distin as he seeks a good number of reinforcements all over the pitch.