Steve Evans denies Newcastle, Sunderland interest in Leeds United's Sol Bamba

Leeds United manager Steve Evans has played down rumours linking Whites captain Sol Bamba with a move to the Premier League.

North-East duo Newcastle United and Sunderland have recently been linked with a late move in the January transfer window for the Ivorian centre-back, but Evans dismissed it as "speculation".

"Sol's a solid member of our squad, he's our captain and he does that job with real professionalism," Evans told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

"I'm not aware of any bids for Sol in this window but I can't stop speculation."

Bamba has played just three Championship games since October for Leeds, losing his place in the team to Liam Cooper and Giuseppe Bellusci.