Leeds United coach Glynn Snodin has admitted that the club will step up their interest in Crusaders defender Colin Coates.

The Northern Ireland assistant boss watched Coates impress on his international debut against Italy in Pisa and now the Elland Road club could be close to making his dream move across the water come true.

Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter will be desperate to hold onto his inspirational skipper but the 23-year-old feels the time is right to embark on a full-time adventure in England or Scotland.

After missing out on the signing of one Northern Ireland favourite — Warren Feeney — the League One side have now set their sights on another member of Nigel Worthington’s squad.

United felt it was inappropriate to invite Coates to a trial at the club but Snodin is expecting their interest in the player to grow.

“We have made an inquiry about Colin and we will see how the situation develops,” said Snodin.

“Colin is a player who has been playing very well and with full-time training at a club like Leeds United his game can only get better. We have been assessing his performances and can see his potential. I thought he played very well against Italy.

“The manager (Simon Grayson) is looking at a number of centre-halves and it would be wrong to invite Colin over while other players are being looked at. That would be disrespectful to those players and now it is all about timing.

“Simon has not seen Colin play a lot but I am keeping him informed and I have no doubt that full-time training would make him an even better player.

“The manager will leave me to make any approach to Crusaders when we feel the time is right.”

Baxter has confirmed United’s interest in his star man and he has promised the player he will not torpedo his dream.

“While we would like him to stay we realise he wants to play professional football and if the offer is right we'll make it happen for him,” he said.

Talks between Feeney and the Yorkshire club collapsed but Snodin feels the striker could appear in the club’s famous strip in the future.

“Warren could always change his mind sometime after keeping his options open,” he said.

“One or two clubs were interested in him and the player has his own decisions to make. He has a family and those commitments are high up on his agenda, though obviously I know his ability and quality from the Northern Ireland set-up. It is up to him what his next move is going to be and what league he wants to play his football in.”