Kewell to commit to Leeds - agent

Leeds forward Harry Kewell is set to commit his future to the Barclaycard Premiership strugglers in the next few weeks, according to his agent.

The Australian international is out of contract at the end of next season and has been linked with a move away from Elland Road.

But Kewell’s agent Bernie Mandic has said talks have already started about a new deal – and has given Leeds fans hope that the 24-year-old will not be the next high profile departure.

Rio Ferdinand started the exodus with a £30million move to Manchester United, and he was followed through the Elland Road exit door by Robbie Keane, Lee Bowyer, Olivier Dacourt, Robbie Fowler and Jonathan Woodgate.

But Mandic told the BBC Sport website: “We’re in the process of discussing the future, things are going well and we’ll have something sorted within the next few weeks.

“He’s always been quite happy in the environment he is in. Since (chairman) Peter Ridsdale has been there Harry has had his contract upgraded three times.

“That is why there is the degree of trust there and I would say loyalty from Harry because the club has done the right thing by him in the past.”

“The way things stand Harry’s future will be resolved in the not-too-distant future.”

Despite the problems at Elland Road, Mandic said Kewell saw a bright future for the club.

The West Yorkshire side are currently only four points above the Barclaycard Premiership relegation zone, after winning just one of their last nine matches.

Manager Terry Venables was sacked and replaced last week by former Sunderland boss Peter Reid but Mandic continued: “I’m not distressed about the situation and more importantly Harry isn’t.

“Football’s a funny thing and what seems to be a disaster one day can be turned around.

“Don’t get me wrong, Harry is not happy not winning matches and not playing in Europe, but that sort of stuff can happen in football.

“Too often people make short-term decisions – Harry’s not into that and neither am I. I don’t think the chairman is either.

“We’re happy going about out business and the way things stand Harry’s future will be resolved in the not-too-distant future.”