Venables pleads for calm

Leeds boss Terry Venables has pleaded for calm from the fans ahead of tomorrow’s potentially explosive clash with bitter rivals Manchester United.

The match is being overshadowed by the return of former Leeds skipper Rio Ferdinand following his £30m (€48m) defection across the Pennines just two months ago.

The flames have been fanned by comments from the like of Leeds striker Alan Smith who has warned Ferdinand he will be “hammered” by Leeds supporters.

Ferdinand is expecting to feel their wrath, while he has also claimed he is eager to bury the hatchet with chairman Peter Ridsdale following caustic comments in the wake of his departure.

Venables is determined to take the heat out of the situation but that is unlikely to stop the usually volatile Leeds fans from venting their fury.

When George Graham returned to Elland Road as manager of Tottenham six months after walking out on Leeds, feelings still ran high and he was pelted with coins, as well as being labelled a “Judas”.

Venables does not want to see a repeat of similar scenes as he said: “My message to the Leeds supporters is to get behind the team. Rio is not with us any longer. He is at Manchester United, so lets get on with our lives. Save your energy and support the team.

“We don’t want any aggro. We just want a good football match.”