Leeds United are among a trio of Premiership clubs tracking Sunderland's former York City defender Darren Williams.

Any transfer involving the player will be of interest to City, who negotiated sell-on clause, believed to be worth ten per cent of any fee acruing, when the defender moved to the North East in October 1996.

The ex England Under-21 international, contracted to Sunderland until 2003, was frustrated at having to spend much of last season on the sidelines at the Stadium of Light.

Leeds, Leicester and newly-promoted Ipswich have all been alerted to Williams' need for first team football - though Sunderland's asking figure is expected to be in the £3million-plus range.

Middlesbrough-born Williams made his York City debut as substitute in a 4-0 win over Blackpool - a match in which Paul Barnes netted a hat-trick - in 1994.

He was sold to Sunderland for £50,000, rising to £150,000 on appearances, and made his Premiership debut for the Black Cats in January 1997.

David O'Leary has already splashed out £14 million on Olivier Dacourt from Lens and Celtic's Mark Viduka but is keen to bring in more defensive cover for his young Leeds side.

Williams can play in any position across the back four and impressed as a member of new Leicester boss Peter Taylor's England Under-21 side.

Ipswich, who agreed a one-year deal with 34-year-old Spurs' Harrogate-born defender John Scales earlier this week, are looking for a long-term replacement for Tony Mowbray, 36.

City started the countdown to the new season today with Terry Dolan believing the foundations are already in place for a successful campaign.

As the senior players returned for training, buoyant boss Dolan received another major fillip with Darren Edmondson finally pledging his allegiance to Bootham Crescent. He was expected to sign his new contract today.

In his brief Bootham Crescent stint at the end of last season, Edmondson impressed the City faithful with his tenacity, commitment and willingness to drive forward.

Edmondson, whose favourite position is right wing-back, began his career at Carlisle and became a firm fans' favourite at Brunton Park before a £225,000 move to Huddersfield.

He linked up with City and Terry Dolan on the eve of transfer deadline day last season.

Only the future of goalkeeper Alan Fettis remains unclear but the Northern Ireland international was expected at training today with talks planned this afternoon.

However, with the big kick-off little over five weeks away, Dolan said he was more than happy with the way his squad was shaping up.

Meeting their team-mates for the first time today were new signings Graham Potter, Peter Duffield and Gary Hobson.

Despite a productive summer of new arrivals, the City boss revealed he will not be letting up in his quest to turn City into promotion candidates.

Dolan will spend the next couple of weeks casting his eye over two trialists in right-sided player Phil Hadland and striker David McNiven.

Warrington-born Hadland, 19, has been released by Reading but has been recommended to Dolan by sources in Berkshire.

The youngster made his debut for the Royals the season before last but after being handed a one year contract struggled to earn a regular place in the first team squad.

McNiven, 22, has been released by Oldham Athletic and spent a shot spell on loan with Scarborough - scoring twice in six games - last year.

The striker, son of former Leeds United star David McNiven, was never a regular with the Latics, making only a handful of appearances last year and scoring one goal after his early career was hampered by a knee injury.