Gray wants to keep Leeds job

Leeds caretaker manager Eddie Gray wants the job on a permanent basis.

Former player and manager Gray was put in charge of the troubled club following the departure of Peter Reid on Monday.

Nottingham Forest boss Paul Hart and his counterpart at Sheffield United, Neil Warnock, have emerged from a field of possible long-term replacements which is also said to include Gray, Gordon Strachan, Paul Sturrock, Micky Adams and Martin O’Neill.

Gray would not have to be asked twice to try and lift the Elland Road club off the foot of the Barclaycard Premiership.

“If it was offered to me I would take it,” Gray told Sky Sports News. “It’s a massive club and a great club that at the present time is just going through a sticky patch.”

Gray included Australian striker Mark Viduka in the Leeds side for John Taylor’s testimonial against Cambridge United at Abbey Stadium last night.

Viduka had been left out of Reid’s last two Premiership squads for disciplinary reasons, but Gray recalled him.

He will make his Premiership return if Gray is still in charge of Leeds when Bolton visit Elland Road on November 22.

“Mark Viduka is a top-class player and a great goalscorer. He has proved that for our club in the last few seasons,” said Gray.

“I don’t have any problems working with Mark. He should be a big asset for us over the coming weeks.

“If I am still in charge for the Bolton Wanderers game, Mark Viduka will play. He is a top player.”

Gray is not sure how long he will get to prove his worth.

“It all depends on the people in charge of the club. It could be two days or two years. If we get a few results you never know what will happen.”