Leeds United

Luke Varney: 'I'm a striker'

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor | 16 April 2013

Luke Varney says that he is more comfortable playing up front for Leeds United, despite having featured in a wide role for most of the season.

Leeds United's Luke Varney has insisted that he prefers playing as a centre-forward rather than a winger.

Under former manager Neil Warnock, 30-year-old Varney was asked to play in a wide role on a number of occasions. However, during Brian McDermott's first game in charge of the club at the weekend against Sheffield Wednesday, Varney played as a striker and scored two goals.

"I must admit I took it too literally in a 4-4-2 at the start of the season," he said. "I'd never really played left midfield.

"When I start a game, it's in my head I have got to tuck in when I want to get the ball further up the pitch.

"When I'm wide, I have to get crosses in and that's not really me. I don't assist in goals. I'd like to think I can get in behind and in on goal. I do miss a few chances, but like to think I put as many in."

Varney joined Leeds last summer from Portsmouth.