KEVIN Blackwell last night beat off competition from his former Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock to snap up Preston's former York City striker Richard Cresswell for £1.1million.

Bridlington-born Cresswell, 28 next month, becomes one of six strikers battling for two places in the Leeds attack, with David Healy, Rob Hulse, Ian Moore, Robbie Blake and Michael Ricketts in the squad.

Northern Ireland international Healy has been the subject of speculation that he will be shipped out of Elland Road after being demoted to the bench for the last two matches, but Blackwell said: "We're building a squad, not dismantling one."

One club linked with a move for Healy is West Ham.

Former York, Sheffield Wednesday, Leicester and Preston hit man Cresswell has signed a four-year contract and was last night undergoing medicals.

Earlier in the day Blackwell had hit back at Warnock who accused him of chasing all the Blades' transfer targets.

Cresswell started with City in 1995 and moved to Sheffield Wednesday for £950,000 in March 1999. He had a spell at Leicester before joining Preston where his 21 goals last season helped North End reach the play-offs.

Ricketts is set to come in for Hulse, who suffered ankle bruising in the win against Wolves on Saturday, for tonight's Carling Cup tie against Oldham at Elland Road.

Central defender and skipper Paul Butler is expected to miss out with a thigh strain so Blackwell will either give a debut to Rui Marques or bring in York-born Matthew Kilgallon.

Moore returned to training yesterday after missing the last two months with shin splints.

Updated: 10:19 Tuesday, August 23, 2005