Leeds players agree to support stricken club: but no pay cut!

LEEDS players yesterday offered a show of support for the financially-stricken club – but have yet to agree to defer part of their wages.

Acting chairman Trevor Birch met the players and officials from the Professional Footballers' Association yesterday to discuss measures to help Leeds avoid administration.

The players agreed to support Birch's plan to avoid administration and discussed deferring a percentage of their wages but did not commit themselves to any specific course of action.

Leeds released a statement last night, saying: "There has been a positive meeting between the players, the club and the PFA.

"The players are now fully aware of the financial position of the club and are prepared to offer support should it be required."

Birch has until Monday to find the funds to prevent the club falling into the hands of administrators. On Monday Leeds revealed a week-long extension to their 'standstill agreement' with the principal creditors who are owed a combined £82m.

Birch has also managed to agree the possibility of a further two-week extension up to February 6 but that will be allowed only on certain financial conditions being met.

He wants the players to defer 30% of their wages until the end of the season to provide Leeds with the £5m needed to see them through the next four months.

Meanwhile, it is highly unlikely that Alan Smith will be sold to Newcastle. The Magpies had offered £3m but had their approach rejected last week - and although reports today claimed Leeds were poised to sell the England striker, it is understood the club will hang on to him.

Club sources indicate Birch does not believe it makes financial sense to sell any players for a knockdown price, and if any player is to be to sold it would be Mark Viduka whose £65,000 weekly salary is a tremendous burden on the budget.

However, his wages and price tag are also the reason why buyers may be put off.

PFA deputy chief executive Mick McGuire revealed the Leeds players would offer support once all other avenues of raising income had been exhausted.

McGuire said: "The players are offering some form of financial support should it be required, when all other avenues have been explored.

"There is potential for deferment of a proportion of their wages but nothing has been agreed at this point.

"It is a constantly changing situation, we will keep monitoring it and when we know exactly what the club may need to make up the shortfall then a decision will be made.

"The players are very mindful of the need to stay in the Premiership as that would stabilise the club."

McGuire stressed there was no possibility of the players agreeing to a wage cut, saying: "Players' contracts are sacrosanct."