Neil Redfern believes Leeds United missed out on the opportunity to sign some top quality players because the club sacked him as manager.

Redfearn was dismissed by the West Yorkshire club in May last year after spending just six months at the helm at Elland Road and he has revealed that the likes of Joey Barton, Charlie Adam, Matty Phillips and Jason Shackell would have come had he still been in charge.

"I was consulted at the end of the season by [former Leeds chairman] Andrew Umbers about possible signings and additions to the side. I came up with a list," he told Radio Yorkshire.

"People like Joey Barton and Jason Shackell and Matty Phillips, you know, all good players. Adam as well, who Thommo [Steve Thompson, his assistant] knew, from Stoke City, Charlie Adam.

"These were all players that were interested at that time we contacted them through different sources.

"They were genuinely interested in coming to play for Leeds United, which is not difficult to sell, because it's a top club."

Former QPR midfielder Barton ended up at Burnley, while Adam has remained with Stoke, Phillips has stayed at Loftus Road and Shackell left Burnley for Derby County as Leeds missed out on all four in last summer's transfer window.