FORMER Saints striker Billy Sharp scored only his second Leeds goal in 20 games as speculation continues to link him with a loan move to Ipswich.

Sharp, 28, signed from Saints in August, has been restricted to substitute appearances in recent weeks.

He leapt off the bench with three minutes to go at Huddersfield on Saturday to score a last-minute winner and give relegation haunted Leeds a crucial 2-1 Championship victory.

Leeds head coach Neil Redfearn said of Sharp: “He's a real fox in the box, a nightmare for defenders.

Despite the fact he is not a regular starter, Redfearn stressed Sharp’s importance to the squad.

“We have changed the way we play, with Steve Morison the lone striker, and Billy's chances have been limited," he said.

“Billy has come off the bench and looks to be getting back to his best."

On Sharp's rumoured move to Ipswich, Redfearn said: "You want to keep your best players, bring in better players and keep building for the future.”

Sharp scored nine times in 17 second tier appearances for Saints in 2011/12 after joining for £1.7m from Doncaster, but fell out of favour at St Mary’s following the club’s promotion to the Premier League.