Striker El-Hadji Diouf firmly believes Leeds United can still finish in the automatic promotion places in the Championship.

The former Liverpool and Bolton marksman has been a revelation at Elland Road this season and he is confident the promotion push is very much on.

"If you see the games against Chelsea and Everton, and against Middlesbrough on Saturday, we have a chance," he said.

"We have the players, and with some of the players who will come, we have a chance of finishing in the top two. I think we have a chance, but the top six would be great as well.

"The takeover is a big thing for the club because people have been waiting for that, and on Saturday it was good to win after that as well."

The experienced El-Hadji initially joined on a short-term deal at the start of the season, but he has now penned a new 18-month contract and is delighted to have his future secured at the club.

"Everything was clear in my head and now everything is sorted," he said.

"I'm happy and I hope the club is happy. When you come to Leeds the first thing you think about is the fans, and you always want to play in front of excited people."

United now head for Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day with the momentum building after a run of five wins from six games.

"Nothing is ever easy for Leeds United because everyone wants to beat us and we are one of the biggest clubs," added El-Hadji. "Sometimes you are going to have a bad game, but big teams want to win and win as many as you can."