Leeds boss Gary McAllister has revealed former Bolton manager Sammy Lee was his first choice to become his assistant at Elland Road.

But Lee is currently in a compensation wrangle with the Premier League club and McAllister has turned to Steve Staunton, appointed on Monday, instead.

McAllister said: "I did look to bring Sammy Lee in, but he's still negotiating with Bolton over his contract and that made the situation difficult.

"I told Sammy that I needed to get someone in straight away and he understood where I was coming from.

"It was fortunate for me that Steve was available and willing to take the job.

"Steve knows that I was going after Sammy initially, and it's not a case of him being second choice. Steve's an experienced guy in his own right and he fits the bill."