IAN Westlake admitted today that second-from-bottom Leeds United must improve or they could be in serious trouble.The Clacton-born midfielder, educated at the Ipswich Town Academy before being transferred to Elland Road for £400,000 in the summer, was part of the Leeds side in their 1-0 defeat at Portman Road on Saturday.

By Elvin King

IAN Westlake admitted today that second-from-bottom Leeds United must improve or they could be in serious trouble.

The Clacton-born midfielder, educated at the Ipswich Town Academy before being transferred to Elland Road for £400,000 in the summer, was part of the Leeds side in their 1-0 defeat at Portman Road on Saturday.

He said: “We have been working on our defensive play on the training ground, and it has improved considerably.

“Apart from Gavin Williams' fine goal, Ipswich did not create any serious chances.

“Now we have got to start scoring goals. If not we will be in trouble.”

Westlake had praise for his former club. He said: “Ipswich will be fine. They are a good side and they also did well defensively.

“And there were glimpses of some good attacking play as they cut us open a couple of times.

“It was a scrappy match and a pity about the red card near the end. Alan Lee had earlier done a similar thing and should have been sent off.

“We deserved a point, but did not create. A 0-0 scoreline would have been fair.”

There was a thumbs up for the re-laid Portman Road pitch from Town striker Alan Lee.

He said: “It played miles better, and will get even better when it beds in.

“Jon Macken had another fantastic game and I never felt that Leeds would score.

“At times we played very well, and fully deserved the win.”

n Ipswich Town could be playing Chester City - instead of Bury - in the third round of the FA Cup on January 6. The Football Association has called a hearing for Wednesday when Bury have to explain why they included Steve Turnbull in their line-up for Tuesday's 3-1 second round replay win over Chester. Turnbull is on loan from Hartlepool and playing in the FA Cup was not sanctioned by the north east club.