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Ian Harte, former Leeds United and Republic of Ireland full-back, is said to be about to join Swansea City.

Harte left Leeds United for £1m to go to Levante in Spain when Leeds were relegated. He was one of a handful of players for whom the club received a transfer fee. However, things haven’t worked out for Ian and despite being an ever-present for Leeds United he has played only 32 games in the last four seasons.

He made eight appearances in the Premier League for Sunderland, coached by fellow Irishman Roy Keane, last season. However, Sunderland have let him go and he is looking for a new berth.

Interestingly Leeds United don’t have a settled left-back at the moment, with Bradley Johnson covering the role at the end of last season, including the Wembley play-off final.

Leeds fans will remember his shocking lack of pace but also they should remember some excellent free kicks that he took.

We revealed last year that Harry Kewell’s permanent inability to get fit enough to play a game would eventually lead to him to being given the Anfield boot by Rafa Benitez! Sure enough the Aussie left his boyhood heroes last month.

Despite this poor appearance record, inexplicably, Harry Redknapp is said to want to bring the Aussie Sicknote to Pompey.

Having won the FA Cup and with a European campaign in mind for next season, presumably, Redknapp thinks Hairy Cruel can bring some much needed European experience to the side. Kewell did play in the memorable Champions League final v Milan - well the first 23 minutes to be exact before, guess what, he came off injured!

Looks like the egocentric Kewell will find another Premier League paymaster - I wonder if he will accept the pay-as-you-play deal - which is all he deserves?

Leeds United reserves have organised three pre-season friendlies at away grounds:

Tuesday 22 July: Farsley Celtic KO 7.30pm

Saturday 26 July: Harrogate Town KO 3.00pm

Monday 4 August: Guiseley KO 7.45pm

They have been added to our full Leeds United calendar of events

Former Leeds United manager David O’Leary has advised current Spurs, and former Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson to move to Aston Villa this summer. Robinson suffered a dreadful lapse in form last season and it saw him lose both the Spurs and England staring places.

O’Leary said,

“I spoke to Paul briefly and gave him my opinion on Villa, just as I did when I first tried to sign him.”

“… I told him it was a massive club with big support. And there’s a real chance for him to do well there.

“I told him he should sign this time if he gets the opportunity especially as the club seems to be in good hands and making progress.

“Paul was desperate to come to Villa five years ago and I’m sure that hasn’t changed.

“When I tried to sign Paul before, he was asked to take a pay cut which he didn’t want to do.

“But he would have been a bargain and at the time I said then he would be Villa’s keeper for many years to come if we could have got him.

“Paul needs confidence right now and I think he will get that sort of confidence working with Martin O’Neill, he’s a manager who can bring the best out in him.”

Last season Martin O’Neill had Liverpool loanee, and another ex-Leeds United keeper, Scott Carson between the sticks. But, as seems commonplace at the moment, Rafa Benitez wants too much money for him, £10 million, and so no permanent deal was done and Robinson is looking better value, even in his current poor form.

Ironically it was Carson who replaced Robinson at Leeds after he fled the sinking, relegated, ship - and now Robinson may return the compliment at Villa.