Premiership: PFA boss helps resolve Bowyer dispute

Peter Ridsdale has expressed his thanks to players' union boss Gordon Taylor for intervening in the row between Leeds and Lee Bowyer.

The midfielder has been removed from the transfer list after agreeing to accept the punishment meted out to him for breaching the club's code of conduct.

After previously refusing to pay a fine of four weeks' wages (£64,000), the PFA boss appears to have persuaded Bowyer to change his mind.

A day of talks between the player, his representatives, Ridsdale and Taylor, brought an agreement which saw Bowyer back down.

"Following the intervention of PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor, Lee Bowyer has been taken off the transfer list," said the Leeds chairman.

"Leeds United would like to go on record as thanking Gordon Taylor, Lee's agent David Geiss, and his legal advisor Steven Barker for their assistance in resolving this issue.

"Leeds United would like to make it clear this is an internal disciplinary issue and in no way relates to the case at Hull Crown Court.

"A financial contribution equivalent to that previously stated has been agreed between the parties and will be put towards the club's community programme for work within the inner-city communities and the local children's hospice."

Ridsdale said that Bowyer has also agreed to be at the forefront of, and undertake, the extra work for the community which was previously asked of him, alongside Jonathan Woodgate.

Bowyer is almost certainly set to be named on the bench for Leeds' Premiership clash with leaders Newcastle at Elland Road on Saturday.