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FOOTBALL

LEVEIN REVEALS BATTLE TO KEEP FLOOD AT UNITED

Willo Flood

Tuesday January 6,2009

By Jim McLean

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Craig Levein has vowed to do everything in his power to keep rising midfield star Willo Flood at Tannadice.

The bold move to tie up a deal to keep the inspirational Irishman on a permanent basis is part of the Dundee United manager's long term plans to make the club a force to be reckoned with in the Scottish game.

The Taysiders are definitely on the up and up and Levein is working hard behind the scenes to hold on to all his top players during the transfer window.

Last night the Dundee United manager revealed: “I am doing my utmost to keep Willo.

“The lad been been terrific for us ever since he arrived in Scotland and again showed his class in our draw at the week end against Celtic at Parkhead.”

Levein knows he has a fight on his hands but has been encouraged by a series of discussions he has had with the players representatives over the last month.

I am doing my utmost to keep Willo

Craig Levein

There will be more talks next week and Levein hopes to be able to tie up a deal then.

Flood is in the latter stages of a second one year loan from from Cardiff City and his contract with the English championship side expires in the summer.

The Tannadice supremo added: “I do accept that the success of the team on the park brings a higher profile for individual players and attracts attention of other clubs with more financial clout than we have.

“I would rather have it that way than have a team that is struggling and no one showing the slightest interest in the players.

“I am quite relaxed about the situation .

“I will not be bringing in any players during the transfer window and it goes without saying that I do not want to see anyone go.

“Basically, we have a young group of players with enormous potential and I would expect that the longer they stay together the better they should become.

“There is no need for us to sell but, like every club in the land, if someone comes in and offers silly money for one of players it has to be looked at.”

Levein is also talking about new deals with skipper Lee Wilkie, Sean Dillon and Darren Dods and hopes to make positive progress over the next seven days

However, Levein is refusing to allow these discussions to interfere with his thorough preparations for SCottish Cup action this week end against East Stirlingshire.