Daniel Farke says trying to acquire loan recruits in the January transfer market is "tricky" for Leeds United given their status as Championship table-toppers.

The Whites boss has warned that players who may be spying a loan move to Elland Road with the mere motive of finding more game time may not get what they are after, given the quality of current options.

United have been eager to underline that they will only move for a signing in the market if the player will improve the team, and that they will not bolster squad numbers for the sake of it. LeedsLive reported yesterday that United had an approach for Cameron Archer rebuffed by Southampton.

READ MORE: Emiliano Buendia move to Bayer Leverkusen highlights Leeds United transfer problem

READ MORE: Leeds United fired January transfer warning ahead of deadline day after Daniel Farke reminder

Archer has been of interest to Leeds for a number of windows and the club will monitor his situation in the final days of the window - although United are not optimistic that a deal can be done with Southampton playing hardball.

Speaking in a press conference at Thorp Arch on Thursday, Farke admitted Leeds are an attractive proposition for many potential loan players given their standing in the Championship. However, he made clear that any arrival must be worthy of their game time under him.

Farke explained: “I think once you're in such a good position that we are in, it always helps and makes it easier to attract players because everyone wants to be involved in a successful group - and also with the prospects to fight also for promotion to the best league in the world, into the Premier League.

“On the other hand, if a player is just looking for game time, it's not that easy…when you are on such a good run you can't guarantee game time. And if a player just wants to join a team due to game time, there is lots of competition as well. It's also a bit tricky.”

Farke added: “Some perhaps are also a little bit reluctant because if you have really good players in [their] position… it's always a bit tricky on loan deals because loan players, quite often they know they're just coming for a few months in order to get game time now.

“But if they don't see they are in the position that they would walk easily into our starting XI, then it could be also tricky. So for that I think it's a bit easier to attract players who also see [themselves in] the mid and the long term future with us. And this is more or less the balance you have to make.”