Since the departure of the highly-rated Scott Carson to Liverpool in January, Blackwell has brought in several 'keepers to understudy Neil Sullivan, including former Liverpool reserve Paul Harrison, Kevin Pressman and Sasa Ilic. However with pre-season training on the horizon, and Sullivan recuperating from a shoulder operation, the manager has made the move for the 33-year old Bennett to bring in some much-needed experience to that area of his squad.

Kevin Blackwell has revealed that he expected to lose the services of Aaron Lennon before the end of last season.

The 18-year old midfielder will complete his move to Spurs on July 1st, pending a medical and his agreeing on personal terms, but the manager says that both he and the player knew that a switch to White Hart Lane was on the cards towards the end of the recent Championship campaign.

Lennon's performances in midfield earned him glowing reviews, and it was perhaps inevitable that a Premiership club might come calling, but Blackwell admits that despite this he is still disappointed to have lost the talented teenager.

"We are disappointed to lose any player of quality," Blackwell told the Yorkshire Post,  "but such was the money offered and the contract he was on that a move became inevitable. He only had a year left on his current deal and I became resigned to Aaron leaving before the end of last season.

United star Rob Hulse is looking to make it a hat-trick of promotions next season.

Last term was the first time in two years that the striker has not been toasting success after two previous promotions with Crewe and West Bromwich Albion. His hopes of making it three in a row disappeared as Leeds' season came to an unspectacular end.

A quick fire 22 goals for Crewe helped them finish second to Wigan in the Second Division two years ago, then the following season a return of 13 goals was enough to help West Brom into the Premiership.

Having made his move to Leeds permanent last month, he, together with the likes of skipper Paul Butler, Sean Gregan and Shaun Derry, has valuable experience of getting promoted to the top flight and hopes to make the most of it next season.

"I went up with Crewe once, then moved onto West Brom and got promoted that year," said Rob.

"There's no secret to it as such, it's about hitting a level of consistency. We showed last season that on our day we can beat anyone when we're firing on all cylinders and that's what it boils down to, we have to keep doing it.

"The importance of being consistent can't be underestimated."

Despite not reaching the play-offs last season, the 25-year-old was satisfied with his first season at the club and whilst there was plenty of room for improvement, believes the foundations for future success were laid last year.