New Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell is ready to swap skipper Dominic Matteo for Fulham striker Barry Hayles.

And he also hopes to snap up midfielder Danny Tiatto from Manchester City and central defender Paul Butler from Wolves on free transfers.

Matteo, one of Leeds' highest earners on £30,000 per week, is also being tracked by Manchester City.

But Kevin Keegan's offer to take the 29-year-old on a season-long loan was turned down last week.

Alan Smith's sale to Manchester United and Mark Viduka's expected departure mean Leeds' only remaining striker will be youngster Simon Johnson.

Hayles netted 18 goals in Fulham's promotion-winning season in 2000-01 and Blackwell sees the 32-year-old as the man to lead Leeds' attack next season.

Tiatto and Butler, both 31, are out of contract and available as Blackwell looks to start a rebuilding job.