Beckford joined Leeds from non-league Wealdstone

Leeds United manager Simon Grayson says the club will run the risk of losing striker Jermaine Beckford on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Beckford has one-year left on his deal and has been taken off the transfer list after originally being placed on it for failing to agree a new contract.

"We will risk him leaving for free next year," Grayson told BBC Radio Leeds.

"We are playing the game that he will score us goals to get us promoted and then will sign a new deal with us."

The 25-year-old scored 34 goals last season, but did miss a penalty in the League One play-off semi-final second leg against Millwall at Elland Road.

He wants to play in the Championship and we feel if we go up he will sign with us Leeds boss Simon Grayson

Leeds put the former Carlisle and Scunthorpe loanee up for sale when the two parties failed to agree new contract terms at the end of last season, but took him off the list in mid-July.

Grayson explained: "I spoke to the chairman [Ken Bates] and we decided that if he walks out on a free transfer next year we will run the risk of that.

"He wants to play in the Championship, like we all do and we feel if we go up he will sign with us, but we'll risk him going on a free if not."

In total Beckford has scored 54 goals in 98 appearances for Leeds and Newcastle United were one of the many clubs linked with a summer move for him.

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