Neil Warnock plays down automatic promotion hopes

Leeds United manager Neil Warnock has claimed that his side will not win automatic promotion from the Championship this season.

The Yorkshire club, who finished 14th last year, are bidding to seal a place in the Premier League for the first time since 2004.

"If I put my hand on my heart, I don't think we're automatic promotion material," said Warnock. "That's not me being defeatist, I'm just being realistic about the squad we've got. I'm telling you what I see.

"As far as the playoffs go, I'm optimistic that we'll have as good a chance as most clubs of getting in there."

United start the new Championship season at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.