Okon advised to quit Leeds by Aussie coach

PAUL OKON has been told to quit Leeds for the sake of his international career.

The blunt warning comes from Australia coach Frank Farina, who has kept faith with the midfielder for the friendly against the Republic of Ireland on August 19.

Okon, who will skipper the national side, has been frozen out of the first-team picture at Elland Road since the arrival of manager Peter Reid.

Following his arrival last summer and after he recovered from an initial injury problem, Okon was a regular under former boss Terry Venables.

But the 31-year-old was unable to even command a place on the bench in the closing seven matches of last season under Reid, while he has figured in just one senior pre-season friendly, playing 18 minutes as a substitute.

While Farina has sympathy for Okon, it is not limitless.

"I've always maintained that I pick players who are playing," said Farina.

"Paul obviously wants to play, and if he is not going to be playing at Leeds, he's got to look at moving."

Although Okon has been linked with a return to Italy, where he previously played for Fiorentina and Lazio, no move has yet materialised.

Manchester City wingback Danny Tiatto and Portsmouth defender Hayden Foxe are set to play, as Farina sticks with the squad which posted an historic 3-1 win over England in London last February.

The only member of that squad to miss out is France-based midfielder Mile Sterjovski.

Tim Cahill, who plays with Millwall in the English first division, will train with the squad, although he is not yet eligible to play for Australia.

The 23-year-old midfielder, who played for Samoa at a junior level, was recently given clearance by FIFA to play senior football for Australia from next year.

The team will be led up front by Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka.

"We're not even talking a win, although a result would be fantastic for us," Farina said.

"Unfortunately or fortunately, the level of Australian expectation continues to rise.

"I think that's due to the fact we have quality players and then when you do have good results, people tend to expect that every time that they go on the park.

"I just hope that everyone keeps their feet on the ground and realises what we are trying to achieve and where we are trying to head qualifying for the 2006 World Cup."