Thursday's 'Leeds United World' headline was a plea for United to make the next seven days something special. Unfortunately, though, today's news sees even more black clouds gathering around Elland Road - just two days before we are due to play a crucial Premiership game against Chelsea.

Michael Duberry and Tony Hackworth have both been charged as a result of their alleged involvement in the racist attack on 19 year old student, Sarfraz Najeib, earlier this year. Of course, they join Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate - who have already been charged with grievous bodily harm and affray.

Hackworth, who has yet to make the breakthrough to first team football, faces the same charges as Bowyer and Woodgate whilst Duberry has been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Both Duberry and Hackworth will now appear before Leeds Magistrates Court on April 4th. Two other men also face the more serious charge whilst a fifth man was charged with threatening behaviour. All five have been remanded on bail until June 9th.

Of course, as we've mentioned before, the implications for the individuals concerned but also for the reputation of the football club are immense. A potential court case may not take place until next season, not an ideal situation for anyone. How easy it is to concentrate on playing football with something like this hanging over your head is anyone's guess. We can only keep our fingers crossed and hope that they manage to clear their names.

It now appears that fifteen year old whizz-kid Cherno Samba could be on his way to Elland Road after all - but, at this stage, only for a trial and look round. He has been training with Liverpool this week and speculation was rife that he would join the Reds. However, he has been advised to keep his feet frirmly on the ground and take his time with his decision: a wise move.

At over 6 foot and with strength and pace in abundance, he is said to be one of the very hottest prospects around. However, his only weakness for a lad so tall? His heading ability!

Leeds and Spurs were handed out record fines by the FA today for their parts in the Elland Road fracas on February 12th. We will be fined £150,000 but at least have managed to avoid the dreaded docking of points - so perhaps we ought to be grateful for small mercies.

The club issued an official statement, through Chairman Peter Risdale. He said, "As a result of an FA hearing on Wednesday 29th March 2000, we can confirm that we had a fair hearing and whilst clearly abiding by the decision, we were somewhat surprised by the magnitude of the fine."

At the same hearing, Ian Harte was rightly cleared of stamping on Chris Perry so perhaps there is still a little justice left in the world. On this particular matter, the statement reads, "we can confirm that we are delighted that the case against him was not proven and that therefore all charges would be expunged from his disciplinary record."

There were two interesting snippets of transfer speculation today. The first surrounds Don Hutchinson of Everton who is involved in a contract dispute with the club and looks set to move on in the Summer. At 28, he would add a little more experience to our squad. However, I would have thought it was highly debatable as to whether he would add that much quality to what we've already got. In any case, the story doing the rounds in the North East is that the reason Hutchinson is not keen on a move to Sunderland is because he is a boyhood Mags fan - and is holding out for a move to St. James' Park.

Elsewhere, we have unsurprisingly been linked with Millwall's fifteen year old wonder kid, Cherno Samba. He is meant to be a real world beater but now looks set to join Liverpool after training with them this week. Valued at £1.5 million, he must be one hell of a player!

If ever there was a game that we should have been up for, this was it! Yet, against a Leicester City team unrecognisable compared to the shambolic bunch who surrendered to Man United last week, we produced one of our worst performances of the season.

Kewell gave us hopes of victory with a first half equalizer, after Collymore (who else?) had given Leicester a shock lead - but within moments of the restart we were 2-1 down and barely mounted a serious attack for the remainder of the match.

The real worry now must be that we'll sink without trace over the next few weeks. We appear to be a team that thrives on confidence more than most (hence the numerous unbeaten runs we've put together throughout the season). However, we are also capable of losing the plot big time (hence the slump at the star of the New Year).

Failure to achieve results against Chelsea, Villa, Arsenal and Newcastle over the next four games might well see us slip out of Champions League contention in a season when we've barely been out of the top two places.

There was a genuine sense of surprise when we managed to avoid the Gunners in today's UEFA Cup semi final draw. The cynics amongst us - me included - felt that the European authorities may not relish the idea of the possibility of an all English final - and all the security headaches such a meeting might invlove.

However, in the end we came out of the hat against Galatasaray of Turkey. Notorious for welcoming all opponents and opposing supporters 'to Hell', they managed to get thumped 5-0 at home against Chelsea earlier in the Champions League campaign. However, they look a more dangerous side now than they did then and enjoyed a comfortable quarter final win against last season's Cup Winners Cup finalists, Real Mallorca.

Good news is that we play the second leg at Elland Road on Thursday April 20th. What an occasion that should be, especailly if we can get any sort of result in Istanbul a fortnight earlier. Then a possible meeting with Wenger's boys would prove a fitting end to what has already been a great season.

A sign of the times is that even when we're through to the semi-finals of a major European competition, we still feel disappointed. If we'd lost 2-1 away to Slavia Prague in the first leg, then thumped them 3-0 at home there would be a sense of euphoria. Yet tonight I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. Was I the only one?

Harry gave us a deserved lead shortly after the resumption opf tghe second half. However, as we sat back and defended deeper, we managed to let the home side back into the game and they eventually ran out 2-1 winners.

You can see a detailed Match report of the game here. To see who we've drawn in the semi-finals, click here.

Thursday is transfer deadline day and the big question is: will O'Leary be bringing in any fresh faces to give us that little boost as we strive for two possible trophies?

After all the speculation over recent weeks, it emerged at the weekend that the mysterious £5 milliopn man was Wimbledon's Carl Cort. It had been thought that with the two teams meeting at the weekend, a bid might be imminent. With Cort being substituted at half time yesterday speculation was fuelled even further, then the striker himself appeared to be giving a 'come and get me' message to the club - saying "any young player would love to come to a club like Leeds."

However, Risdale today seemed to pour cold water on all the hype, saying "It is most unlikely that there will be any signings before the deadline." Should this be taken at face value or is it yet another smokescreen to prevent other clubs from stepping in before us? The Dons are understandably reluctant to sell, with a relegation battle now on the cards. However, if the right bid were tabled, they might find it difficult to say no.

After suffering a scare as early as the third minute, when Euell smashed an unstoppable header past Nigel Martyn, we played som beautiful football to beat the Dons 4-1. Bakke (moct inspirational signing of the season!) scored two whilst Hartey and harry chipped in with one a piece. The win keeps us just four points behind Man U and clear of LIverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Why is it that as soon as you become moderately successful, life starts to get really complicated? First of all, clubs start sniffing round all your best players, then your Manager gets put on the top of all your rivals' shopping lists.

As if it wasn't bad enough that we might have to fend off Arsenal from enticing O'Leary away from us, the 'News of the World' today contained a story almost too horrific to imagine: the thought of David leaving us for Old Trafford.

How likely is it? Well, according to the paper, none other than Alex Ferguson himself thinks that the Leeds boss would do a good job as his replacement. He says, "If you were going to look for a young manager capable of maintaining success here, David would have to be one of the front-runners."

Given O'Leary's numerous proclamations that he would be happy to stay at Leeds for life, such a move might seem unlikely. However, as somebody once said, football's a funny old game. Just ask a certain Mr Graham!

Apart from offering us the opportunity to close the gap at the top of the Premiership table to a possible single point (Come on Leicester!) and, at the same time, gain revenge for that 2-0 reversal at selhurst Park in November, Sunday's game at Elland Road against Wimbledon will offer United supporters the chance to judge for themselves whether Jason Euell is the type of player they would like to see at Elland Road. Is he the mysterious £5 million man? Who knows...

To read a full preview of tomorrow's game and a match report to follow, click here.

Robbie Fowler's name has cropped up as a possible Leeds' target numerous times since the departure of Jimmy at the start of the season. However I, for one, have been tempted to dismiss the stories as fanciful rumours.

However, information form sources close to the club over recent days suggest that the Liverpool hit man is O'Leary's number one target over the Summer.

How likely is this? Well, if we can bag ourselves a trophy this season, then the likelihood of tempting players like Fowler must be greatly increased. At £12 million, I would suggest he offers reasonably good value for money at today's crazy prices and, finally, if the reports that he is asking £30,000 a week in wages are true, then I would say we should go for it. If Keane is worth £50,000, then a fully fit Fowler would merit £30,000.

Finally, is he the right man? Some have suggested that he would offer little extra to what we already have in the firepower department. I strongly disagree. Although I can see the need for a powerfully built target man to offer us a little variation in our play, the fact remains that on his day Fowler is the best striker in Britain.

The only lingering doubt would be his fitness...and at £12 million, you'd want to get a few games out of him. Still, if he can prove himself over the remaining games of the campaign, I would definitely think he's worth a gamble - if we are to move one step up in our development, as one of the big players in British football.

Another near capacity crowd enjoyed a superb night of European entertainment on Thursday night - with Slavia Prague soundly defeated at Elland Road.

We won 3-0 thanks to goals from Wilcox - in the first half - then strikes by Harry and Bowyer after the interval. However, with cooller finishing, we could - and should - have scored five or six.

To read a full report of the match, click here.

Speculation was mounting today that the mystery striker who Risdale supposedly made a £5 million bid for, last week, was in fact none other than Wimbledon's 'wantaway' forward Jason Euell. Euell, 23, who has represented england at U21 level is desparate to leave Selhurst Park and has handed in a series of transfer requests. With this in mind, it seems unlikely that the Dons would be likely to reject such a sizeable offer for a player who can't be guarranteed first team football.

In any case, 'Leeds United World' has it under very good authority that the £5 million man was Stffen Iversen of Spurs. Although both Leeds and Spurs have officially denied the story, we understand that United offered £5 million for the Norwegian but Tottenham wanted more. When the deal collapsed, Spurs pulled out of the deal for John Hartson - blaming their 'U-turn' on a failed medical.

The John Carew story is also said to have been used as a smokescreen whilst Iversen negotiations were taking place. This story rings more than true with Carew now telling Europe's press that Arsenal are the only Premiership team he would be willing to play for.

In a week when 40,000 Leeds supporters will be cheering the team on to a possible place in the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup, two of our most influential players will be contemplating an appearance at Leeds Magistrates Court - each having two serious charges hanging over their heads.

Yes...the worst fears of many United supporters came true tonight when both Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate were charged with GBH and affray, for their part in a 'race motivated' attack on Asian student Sarfraz Najeib, which took place in Leeds City centre in January.

Both have been ordered to appear before Leeds magistrates Court on March 17, the day after the UEFA Cup tie with Slavia Prague. Perhaps somewhat controversially, United have said that the players will still be available for selection until proven guilty. Woodgate, of course, is at present nursing an injury but Bowyer would be available for Thursday. The full statement issued by the club today reads:

'LUFC can confirm that following the alleged attack in Leeds on the night of 11th/12th January 2000, both Jonathon Woodgate and Lee Bowyer have today been charged in connection with the offence. They are two amongst a number who have been charged.

Both individuals having been interviewed by the club, maintain their innocence of the charges. As a result of their comments, LUFC has re-stated its position that every individual is innocent until proven guilty in a Court of Law. The players will therefore remain available to David O'Leary for selection. Our position has been conveyed to the F.A., F.A.Premier League and P.F.A.

Whilst taking this stance, we reiterate our total condemnation of the attack that took place and confirm that if any of our players is subsequently found to have been involved, we will not shirk our responsibility to take appropriate disciplinary action.'

In a separate statement, the players were informed that they would not be considered for England selection, at any level, until the matter has been resolved.

Tony Hackworth and Michael Duberry, the other two players questioned by police, have not been charged. However, the matter is not over for them either. They have had their police bail renewed, pending further enquiries.

How do you feel about the whole sorry affair? Let us know on the Leeds United World Message Board now!

Leeds have been likned with yet another overseas striker. This time the supposed target is Pedro Miguel 'Pepa' of Benfica. At 19, he would certainly fit into the right age category and, what's more, he's well over six feet tall.

As always, he's tipped to be the next big thing. Apparently, Rangers tried to sign him last year but were put off by the £2 million price tag. O'Leary allegedly wants to sign him on loan until the end of the season, to boost our chances in the Premiership run in.

It was always going to be a tough battle at Valley Parade this afternoon. Not only was local pride at stake but both teams have so much to play for. In the end, two goals by Michael Bridges settled the result - but the game could really have gone either way.

With Arsenal getting beaten 2-1 by Boro at the Riverside, it's been a great weekend for us - as it starts to look very much like a two horse race for the title.

To read a full match report on the Bradford game, click here.

We have been linked today with a move for FC Utrecht striker, Didier Martel. The former Auxerre and Paris Saint Germain player is said to be looking for a move to the Premiership with Middlesbrough also rumoured to be interested.

He is said to be valued around £3 million, which might make the rumour more plausible than most.

Emile Heskey, surely the most overrated player in the Premiership, signs today for Liverpool for £11 million...the worst kept secret in football! Call me old fashioned but for that kind of money, I like my centre forwards to be able to score goals. Heskey appears to fail in this department although this minor handicap seems to have been overlooked by 'experts' across the land. He may have 'power' and 'strength' (a sign of the times if these alone make you a world-beater) but, for me, his main 'skill' will always be his ability to crash to the ground at the slightest provocation, despite having the build of a heavyweight boxer. No doubt he will be able to continue this extremely sporting trait wearing the red of Liverpool.

Of more interest to us is the fact that Heskey's move has put a huge question mark over the future of Robbie Fowler. Although Houllier claims that he can accommodate Heskey, Owen and Fowler in his squad - I can't see the latter being happy with a place on the bench for long (After all, this was the lad who was nicknamed 'God' not so long ago!)

I predict it won't be long before Robbie's on his way - at which point we will no doubt put our names in the hat to sign him. However, as I've always maintained, whether we will pay his wage demands is another matter entirely. Watch this space.

What a night! After last week's brave rearguard action, we faced an impressive Roma outfit again tonight...and beat them! O'Leary has described it as the best Managerial performance of his career - and who could doubt him. It was a mature performance by the youngsters with Harry scoring a brilliant winner and proving yet again why he is one of the most wanted players in Europe.

For a match report, click here.

We should be completely focused on tonight's epic battle with Roma. However, today's 'Daily Mirror' had yet more depressing allegations relating to the recent 'race' attack.

According to the tabloid, it appears that Michael Duberry is the fourth United player to be questioned by Police over the attack. However the Mirror, as per usual, have done us few favours. Looking beyond the eye-catching headline and reading the smaller print, it explains that there is no suggestion that Duberry was involved in the actual attack but has been questioned as a result of being in the nightclub at the time. Still, yet again, all this publicity is doing the club no favours at all - at a time when there is so much to look forward to.

Tomorrow night should be one hell of an occasion - win, lose or draw. The team news, from our point of view, looks to be quite promising - with only Woodgate a doubt. With a bit of luck, he might get himself sorted for Thursday.

Bridges is raring to go after his lay off through injury and seems confident of pulling off a memorable result. he says, "It's going to be a hard game," and adds, "they will take a lot of beating." However, "I think we'll get through it."

Should we get through to the next round, we will face perhaps slightly opponents in the quarter finals: Slavia Prague. They lost 2-1 at Udinese tonight but, having already won their home leg 1-0, they go through on the 'away goals' rule.

Peter Risdale seems to have played another blinder over recent days, causing a real stir in the press as speculation grew to a frenzy as to United's possible signing of a £5 million striker. Today, he denied that Either Iverson or Cort was the man - nor John Carew, who was strongly tipped last week.

The new most likely target would appear to be Eidur Godjohnsen of Bolton. With Heskey now being valued at an outrageous £12 million, £5 million for the man from the Reebok might be money well spent.

With so much positive happening this season, the 'racist attack' allegations continue to prove an unwelcome distraction.

Today's shock news was that a third United player has now been questioned by police, relating to the alleged attack on Safraz Najeib earlier in the year. The player is reserve striker, Tony Hackworth, who - ironically - has just returned to action following a lengthy lay off through injury.

Although it needs to be stressed that neither he, Woodgate or Bowyer have actually been proven guilty of playing any part in the attack, the fact that they appear to have allowed themselves to be associated with racist - no matter how distantly - hardly helps to show our beloved club in a good light. What's more, it causes a distraction we could well do without, as the game against Roma looms nearer by the day.

Peter Risdale let it slip yesterday that the club had tabled a £5 million bid for a mystery striker last weekend, but had yet to receive any response from the club concerned. This sparked the usual guessing game of who the target might be - with several pundits suggesting it might be Carl Cort of Wimbledon.

However, it now appears that the likely man is in fact an overseas player: John Carew of Rosenborg. Not exactly an household name but apparently one of the hottest young talents in Europe (aren't they all?) What's more, along with every other Norwegian player we're ever linked with, he is big buddies with Eirik Bakke. It sounds like Eirik must be one of the most popular men in Scandinavia!

Carew, who is 20 years old and over six foot seems to fit all of O'Leary's now well documented criteria. However, only last week he is reported to have said, "I have decided that I want to play for Dortmund." This was just after the German outfit had tabled a bid for him...so whether he'd fancy a trip to West Yorkshire is anyone's guess.

Meanwhile, we seem to be cornering the market in buying every young talented keeper that's available. The latest buy is Shaun Allaway from Reading, who has yet to play a first team game - yet could end up costing us £2 million! It's worth it though, as we've taken him from right under George Graham's nose. Ha! Ha! We now have three top quality youngsters - Robinson, Allaway and Milosevic - all battling it out to be Martyn's understudy.

David O'leary must have been absolutely delighted with the result we achieved in Rome tonight. Despite having to endure a second half onslaught by the Roma forwards, particularly Totti, we hung on for a battling 0-0 draw. Without a shadow of a doubt, the Leeds' hero was Nigel Martyn, who pulled off a series of fine saves.

To read a full match report, click here.