Leeds have not ruled out on an attempt to bring Alan Smith back to Elland Road, according to chairman Ken Bates.
Smith has reportedly been told that he is free to leave Newcastle if the right bid is made, but Bates insists that any potential bids from Leeds will all depend on the 30-year-olds fitness and wage demands.
"First of all it depends on whether the manager (Simon Grayson) wants him or not, which is his decision and not mine,” Bates told Yorkshire radio.
"Alan Smith returning to Elland Road would be a very popular move, but we have to be careful because unfortunately over the last few seasons Alan's had a pretty poor injury record and one thing we can't afford to do is sign somebody who is not fit to play.
"The other thing of course is Alan Smith's wages. He's been at Manchester United and Newcastle, so his wages are probably in the stratosphere, well over the seven-figure region, so I suspect if he did join us he would have to knock a nought off it and probably half it, which may not suit him or his agent,” he added.
"But on the other hand nothing is certain and nothing is uncertain.
"I can confirm we're certainly continuing our quest for the right players and if he was fit of course Alan would be a great addition to the squad, but that would need further consideration and investigation by Simon."
Smith started his professional career at Elland Road, scoring on his debut against Liverpool back in 1998. He made 172 appearances and scored 38 goals for Leeds before moving to Manchester United for £7million in 2004.