COMMENT

Leeds United manager Paul Heckingbottom may well have already identified what his priority in the summer transfer window will need to be after his side's disappointing 3-0 defeat to Middlesbrough.

The Whites went down to a Patrick Bamford hat trick at the Riverside, a scoreline which was not helped by the man between the sticks, German shot stopper Felix Wiedwald.

The summer signing endured another off day, flapping at crosses and simply not doing enough to deny the Boro striker's second, allowing the ball to slip under his body and nestle in the back of the net.

Unfortunately for Leeds fans, this was not a once in a blue moon occurrence, and they have grown used to seeing whoever it is in nets, be it Wiedwald or Andy Lonergan this season, put in a sub-par performance on the way to another disappointing defeat.

As a result, Heckingbottom has already admitted that the goalkeeping situation will have to be addressed between now and the end of the season, and it could be that they plump for another new keeper in summer.

So just who should the Whites target to replace the former Werder Bremen and ex-Wolves shot stoppers?

Luckily for the manager, there are a whole host of international shot stoppers with their contracts expiring in the summer, and Football Insider has picked out the best three for them to target, including one who is currently a Premier League regular with 73 caps under his belt.

Click below to find out the first shot stopper on the Whites' shortlist...

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Allan McGregor - 36 - Hull City

2017/18 stats -  Appearances: 34 - Conceded: 51 - Clean Sheets: 8

First up is a man who has been an ever present in the Championship this season, but has had to deal with a rather ragged defence ahead of him.

McGregor is a 36-cap Scotland international and knows England's second tier well, and that experience is something which Wiedwald has been desperately lacking at times.

While not the flashiest of shot stoppers, Heckingbottom would know exactly what he would be getting if he brought McGregor to the club, with a no-nonsense attitude.

He also knows what it takes to secure success, with three league titles, three Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups under his belt during his time at Rangers, and if the club want to push for a top six spot, he would be a smart addition.

Click below to find out the second goalkeeper who could be available for a bargain...

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Tim Krul - 29 - Brighton

2017/18 stats - Appearances: 6 - Conceded: 7 - Clean Sheets: 2

Having originally joined up with the Seagulls on a loan deal from Newcastle United, the eight-cap Dutch international turned his temporary move into a permanent one, putting pen to paper on a one-year contract expiring this summer.

Playing second fiddle to Australian shot stopper Mathew Ryan, it awaits to be seen whether Chris Hughton's side will renew his deal, but Leeds should pounce for a move before they get the chance to.

A Championship veteran, with just three second tier appearances under his belt, it would take some convincing to get him to drop to the Championship, but if the club's ambitions are high enough, he may well move to secure some regular first team football for a big northern side, as he did at Newcastle.

Click below to find out the third, and most exciting, stopper on the list...

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Wayne Hennessey - 31 - Crystal Palace

2017/18 stats - Appearances: 19 - Conceded: 35 - Clean Sheets: 3

The top choice for Heckingbottom has got to be Crystal Palace and Wales stopper Hennessey, who would be a real statement of intent.

Getting him into the Championship after playing regular Premier League football would a tough ask but like with Krul, the club need to show their ambitions and target a return to the top flight, naming the 31-year-old as an integral part in their backbone.

With 73-caps for Wales under his belt, as well as 93 Championship appearances, he has the experience and the quality to be a key member of the first team, and would be a huge upgrade on what they already have at their disposal.

In other Leeds United news,

David Prutton has delivered his prediction for the clash after a "huge blow" last weekend.