Viduka gives Dublin a miss
Viduka has cited a sore ankle as the reason he will not be travelling to the capital today for matches against Aston Villa tomorrow and either Shelbourne or St Patrick’s Athletic on Sunday.
Australia international Viduka is known to be unhappy with life at Elland Road, particularly in light of a training-ground war of words with Reid last week.
Although the two men made their peace, the striker’s late withdrawal led to Reid saying: “I am very disappointed.”
But any suggestion of another bust-up has been allayed by Viduka’s agent, Andrea D’Amico, who said: “Mark is one of the most serious men I have ever met in football. I am sure Peter Reid is disappointed because Mark is a great player and he is the manager and he will be without his services this weekend.”
Reid is also without David Batty due to the midfielder’s fear of flying and so he will remain in Yorkshire and continue to train at Thorp Arch.
It is not the first time Batty has asked to keep his feet on the ground - last February he travelled by ferry to Rotterdam for a UEFA Cup clash with PSV Eindhoven.
The club did look into the prospect of the 34-year-old making a sea crossing on this occasion, only for it to prove too problematic.
“We are taking just about our strongest squad, although David won’t be travelling,” confirmed Reid. “He doesn’t like flying and there’s no point in asking him to make two ferry trips that take about half a day each just for a couple of days of football.
“He won’t be going, but he will be training here at home.”
The majority of the squad, meanwhile, will attempt to end their pre-season misery following a run of four matches without a win.
Reid has included promising youngsters Aaron Lennon and Martin Woods in the party, while Lucas Radebe should play his first pre-season game following surgery earlier this summer to clear out a knee.
Seth Johnson and Eirik Bakke join Batty on the sidelines due to injury, while Paul Okon, who has been told to quit Leeds for the sake of his international career, has been omitted.
The warning comes from Australia coach Frank Farina, who has kept faith with the midfielder for the friendly against the Republic of Ireland at Lansdowne Road on August 19.
Organisers of the tournament, featuring Aston Villa, Leeds United, St Patrick’s Athletic and Shelbourne, say the competition is almost completely sold out.
However, a limited number of tickets are available and will be on sale from 11.30am tomorrow and Sunday from the ticket caravan on the corner of the Drumcondra Road and Richmond Road, outside Prescott Cleaners.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
