KEVIN Blackwell's hopes of strengthening his squad for the run-in to the end of the season could depend on reaching agreement with Aston Villa over the sale of Eirik Bakke.

The Norwegian international's loan spell at Villa Park ends at the end of this month and while Villa boss David O'Leary is keen to keep Bakke, the player wants a permanent move rather than an extension of his loan.

If he can't get that he will almost certainly return to Leeds and his estimated £20,000 per week salary going back on Blackwell's wage bill would seriously damage the Leeds boss's chances of bringing in new faces.

Bakke is enjoying working with former United boss O'Leary again and said: "Aston Villa has been perfect for me. A new environment and a fitness coach I have had before at Leeds means I haven't felt fitter in many years, and the form gets better every match.

"But it's two hours from Leeds to Birmingham and at least four days a week I sit more than four hours in the car since my family live in Leeds. I don't want to do that any more."

With Villa also on a tight budget, it might be difficult to persuade them to part with cash for Bakke but the solution might be a swap deal for Ecuador defender Ulises De la Cruz.

The 32-year-old, who has played 80 times for his country, is surplus to requirements at Villa Park and Blackwell might be happy to take him, especially as Sean Gregan and Rui Marques are among the players likely to leave Elland Road during the January transfer window.

Updated: 10:32 Wednesday, January 04, 2006