The achilles injury which forced David Batty to be substituted against Southampton on Saturday was deemed sufficiently serious to prevent him boarding the plane with the rest of the squad today, as they jetted off to Sofia for Thursday's UEFA Cup clash against Spartak Moscow.

The news comes as a particular blow, as we will also be without Captain Lucas on the evening - meaning that two thirds of the experienced spine of our team will be missing. Bakke did a good job on Saturday once again and looks an excellent prospect. However, whether he offers the same rugged determined influence in midfield as Batty is debatable

Leeds, and David O'Leary in particular, were today considering whether to take legal action following an outrageous smear by his Spartak Moscow counterpart, Oleg Romantsev.

Romantsev alleges that O'Leary offered the Russian club financial incentives to play both UEFA ties on English soil. but Peter Risdale claims that "The possibility of switching the first leg to a venue in England did not even cross our minds until Spartak put it to us."

Romantsev's supposed "anger" knows no bounds, extending to the point whjere he says he will not sit at the same Press Conference with O'Leary who he says is "a man capable of such low actions."

I mean, what is it with these Eastern European types? Both Partizan and Lokomotiv tried to hype the games before a ball had been kicked - and now Spartak are trying to do the same again. The coach swears, "we'll do everything possible to kick Leeds out of the Cup." Now where have we heard all that before? Roll on Thursday in Sofia!

Some games look like cast iron certainties to disintegrate into goalless draws. This certainly looked like being one of them until Michael Bridges produced a goal out of nothing in injury time - to send Elland Road delirious and shoot us back to the top of the Premiership table.

To read the full report on the game, click here.

Leeds' strength in depth at centre-back is being well and truly tested at the moment. Radebe jets back from South Africa tonight, hoping to be fit to play in tomorrow's game. However, with important games looming over the horizon, surely David O'Leary would be loathed to risk his Captain against Southampton. To make matters worse, Michael Duberry - due to start the postponed midweek game in Russia - misses out yet again, this time serving a ban picked up from bookings in the reserves.

Martin Hiden had a run out with the reserves in midweek but whether he is fully match fit is surely debateable whilst Molenaar is back in training but has not yet played in a match situation.

So where does that leave us? Well, most likely with a choice between shifting Danny Mills to the centre or bringing in Alfie Haaland, who has covered for us there in the past. Most likely, O'Leary will go with the former.

There's been so much happening today thart it's difficult to know where to begin.

The main news, of course, is that tonight's big UEFA Cup tie against Spartak Moscow called off due to the appalling Russian weather conditions and the treacherous nature of the Moscow pitch. Earlier, there were suggestions that the tie might take place at the Luzhniki Stadium (ironically, Spartak Moscow's home ground) as early as tomorrow morning - but these notions have been firmly rejected by UEFA.

Instead, the game will take place next Thursday in Bulgaria - at the Vasil Levski Stadium in Sofia to be exact - a decision which pleased United officials. However, it does mean that there is a potential fixture build up looming, with Leeds due to play ten games in just 31 days as 1999 draws to its close. To see the full renewed fixture list, click here.

Elsewhere, Peter Risdale has vowed to make David O'Leary the best paid manager in the Premiership if he can continue his rejuvenation of the club. Ideally, he says he would like O'Leary to stay with the club for life: "It would suit me perfectly to wake up in 20 years and find that not only is he still in charge but has established himself as the most successful and long-serving manager in football". Optimistic or what? I mean to say, O'Leary is already a God at Leeds - but who was it said that Football's a funny old game? Personally, I think it might be better to save all the hype until David's got a few trophies under his belt.

Finally, some potentially worrying news. According to Bernard Madic, from Harry Kewell's Management company, our very own Wizard of Oz is said to be unhappy at how recent events have transpired. In particular, he is said to be angry at how the United board have treated him - and even contemplating a move from the club if the price is right: "they could sell him for £20 million".

Thankfully, Risdale assures us that there is no truth in the story whatsoever and that he has talked to Kewell about the matter. However, the last thing we need at the moment is anything or anyone rocking the boat or the excellent team spirit that O'leary has built up within the camp. We know, from the Hasselbaink fiasco, just how quickly things can change in Football. However, Harry is the real jewel in our crown - and even at £20 million, by today's prices he would be an absolute 'snip'.

O'Leary was an angry man tonight as temperatures in Russia dropped to an unbelievable -20 degrees. His fury came as United were forced to abandon training this evening when the undersoil heating at the Moscow ground failed to work. He fumed, "It's a joke!" and added, "it would be safer to train on concrete."

Leeds will now place an official complaint with UEFA, especially as the undersoil heating supposedly suddenly started to mysteriously work just moments after the United players left the Stadium. Even tomorrow's tie appears to be now in jeapordy, with pitch inspections due to take place in the morning, then throughout the day.

Leeds were today given a home tie against First Division Port Vale in the Third Round of the FA Cup, to be played on the weekend of Saturday 11 December. Hopefully, this will set us off on a good Cup run this season. With Man United not in the competition this season, we should start as one of the favourites.

Vale are currently in 20th place in the First Division but will fancy their chances of causing a major upset in three weeks' time.

We beat Bradford 2-1 at Elland Road this afternoon. It certainly wasn't a classic but goals from Smith and Harte saw us through. To read a full report on the game, click here.

With Bradford City due at Elland Road tomorrow I've been having a little flick round some of their websites this week. What I found, from one in particular (I won't give him any free publicity by naming the site!) left me speechless.

To say this particular Bradford City supporter lives in a fantasy world would be the understatement of the Century. Apparently, according to his preview of tomorrow's game, the Premiership will never be the same after the Elland Road clash. Unlike any other local derby, this meeting is based on "pure hatred".

Well, I hate to spoil his party but, if there is this deep loathing on show here, it's all one way, I'm afraid. We hate Man Utd and aren't exactly bosom buddies with Chelsea and Spurs. However, Bradford simply don't come into the equation. Growing up in Leeds, in fact, I always remember listening out for the Bradford, Huddersfield and Halifax results, quite hoping they'd do well.

You can't invent rivalry. They may be only ten miles down the road but we've rarely played in the same division as each other and, until tomorrow, never in the top flight. There's no real tradition between the two clubs. They may have a multitude of reasons for hating our guts but this isn't reciprocated by the average Leeds fan who, at the very worst, sees the local rivals as something of an irrelevance.

What a surprise! Despite everything I mentioned in Tuesday's bulletin, it appears that FIFA's word counts for very little. They had supposedly offered Peter Risdale a verbal promise that Harry would be able to play against Bradford City on Saturday. However, today they appear to have done a complete U turn and stated that the ban will be enforced.

What logic there is to this is anyon's guess. United had agreed with Soccer Australia that Kewell would be allowed to play in the opening friendly against Brazil, which he was later forced to pull out from, due to injury. So even if the 'Five Day Rule' was strictly adhered to, then it would not affect Saturday's fixture.

What the whole epuisode has done is to sour Leeds relationship with Soccer Australia even further - as it's now the second time that H has had to miss a Premiership fixture, due to the Aussies crying to FIFA. I, for one, had some sympathy with the their viewpoint at the start of this sorry affair but when it starts affecting United's Premiership hopes, then this goes right out of the window. At the end of the day, we pay Harry's wages - and considerable they are too! If a player is suffering from a niggling injury then their National sides have no right to expect the clubs to risk everything for the sake of meaningless friendlies taking place at the other side of the world!

The only consolation for Leeds fans is that, as ironic as it might appear, Harry might well have missed the Bantams clash through injury in any case. This way he will at least be fit for the following Thursday, when we take on Spartak Moscow in Russia.

Unbelievably, the Kewell controversy rumbles on and on. It now appears that United have received a verbal assurance form FIFA that they have accepted United's side of the story, in relation to their recent row with Soccer Australia, meaning Harry will be eligable to play in the weekend game against Bradford City. Having said all that, he is still only 50-50 due to a calf injury. Peter Risdale appears to be doing his utmost to be as diplomatic as possible. Unbelievably, he expressed the view today that "Soccer Australia have been very co-operative"......I'm sure that's certainly news to all United fans!

Following all the recent aggrivation over Kewell's International commitments, Leeds are now facing a problem with Lucas Radebe. However, this time there appears to be little that can be done about it.

Lucas is wanted by South Africa for a game in Pretoria on Saturday November 27th, just one day before we face Southampton at Elland Road in a Premiership fixture. Of course, there's always the possibility that he could jet back in double quick time. However, in all likelihood he appears set to miss the leeds game.

What's more, as he is to miss the UEFA Cup away leg against Spartak Moscow on Thursday November 25th, due to suspension, it will mean us being without our inspirational leader for two consecutive games. On the plus side, of course, it will give Duberry a chance to step into the side and shine (hopefully!)

Leeds hero has been suffering from a potentially serious heart problem since injuring his ribs in December 1998, it was revealed today. Batty has been playing superbly throughout this campaign. However, supporters will remember the trauma of his return from Newcastle at the end of last year, when he injured his ribs during his first competitive game back, against Coventry at Elland Raod.

It now turns out that his lengthy absence following the rib injury had more serious overtones. Suffering from pericarditis, contracted as a result of receiving a thump on the heart, he apparently now has to to take steroids to try to keep on top of the situation.

Elsewhere, two more players have been linked with us this weekend: Darren Anderton and Scottish striker, Lee McCulloch. The former comes as no surprise, our need for a right handed midfielder now legendary. Darren would fit the bill perfectly although his injury track record is more than a little worrying. He would move for nothing, under the Bosman ruling,at the end of the season. With this in mind, a bid of £3 million might very well be enough to get Mr Graham contemplating whether to sell.

Mcculloch, on the other hand, has already banged in five goals this season and has already been the subject of a £5 million bid for thr Gtm

On non Leeds matters, England managed a 2-0 win against Scotland this afternoon, following two first half goals from Scholes. However, surely Keegan can't have been happy with this performance! The only thing that saved us was the ineptitude of Scotland as an attacking force. The home team enjoyed the majority of the possession with their midfield dominant. Play anything like this in the Finals themselves (should we get there), against a quality outfit, and we'll get murdered.

Will Kewell be able to play for us against Bradford City, in a week's time? Today, we are not really any closer to getting a satisfactory answer to this question.

Have Football Australia been successful in getting FIFA to impose the Five Day Rule? They certainly seem to be claiming so. However, Leeds say they have contacted the English FA who state there is not truth to this story. Peter Risdale stressed, "there has been no ruling from FIFA on this matter."

The problem is that United can't allow themselves to make an error here. Should they play Kewell without permission, the result would automatically be awarded to Bradford with Leeds also receiving a hefty fine.

With very little football to keep the journos busy this week, it was perhaps predictable that the tranfer gossip would be stepped up once again.

Earlier in the week, it was suggested that Rune Lange (who seems to have been a supposed target of United for as long as I can remember) might be available for a cut price £2 million. He has only 18 months remaining on his contract so perhaps his club, Tromso, are hoping they can cash in before it's too late.

Today's story is even more intriguing, claiming that O'Leary is about to make a £7 million bid for Villa's Ugo Ehiogu. Certainly, with the demanding fixture list we are likely to face later in the season, we could do with cover in all positions. However, £7 million does seem a little steep for a player who hasn't quite progressed to the extent that looked likely a few years ago. Nevertheless, he would be a more than useful addition to the team/ squad.

The only drawback, from Villa's point of view, is that they would lose half of the transfer money to his previous club, West Bromwich Albion. With such an unbelievable clause hanging round the player's neck, the temptation might be to hike the price up even further - or just not bother selling him at all!

It's been confirmend today that Leeds will play Spartak Moscow on November 25th in Moscow, as originally planned. It had been suggested that the game might be switched to Vladikavkaz, close to the Chechnya border but UEFA stressed today that there is no way that such a switch would be sanctioned.

It has been suggested in some quarters that this whole episode might have been an attempt by Spartak to disrupt United's travel plans - for both officials and supporters. Very very sad if this is true. Then again, stranger thing have happened.

Starved of football for a fortnight - with only the small consolation of a local international derby next weekend to whet the appetite - the only way to go is dredge through the tabloids, Ceefax and internet to see if we can pick up some interesting Leeds based stories. There are two main ones today.

The first relates to the never ending battle between United and Football Australia. Although Leeds at first refused to allow Harry to play in the two forthcoming friendlies against Brazil, they later relented, saying he could play in the opener but then return home to West Yorkshire.

However, havig then picked up an ankle and calf injury in the games against Lokomotiv and Wimbledon, all parties concerned - including Kewell's own agent - agreed that he was unfit to travel.

The new twist in the tail, however, comes with the latest news that Football Australia, fuming over the loss of their star player, have yet again gone whining to FIFA, asking them to impliment the Five Day Rule, meaning that Harry wouldn't be able to play in our forthcoming Premiership fixture, against Bradford City at Elland Road.

The whole thing seems to have been a fiasco from start to finish. Whilst both sides' arguments have their merits, I don't think that either party have really handled the issue as well as they might have hoped.

In an equally puzzling move, Spartak Moscow, our next UEFA opponents, have suggested that the first leg of the Third Round tie, on November 25th, should be played in Vladivavkaz, just 30 miles from war torn Chechnya. It appears that we are destined to be plagued by controversy throughout our European campaign this season. If we can manage to battle into Round Four, let's hope for the Geordies in Round Five!

So O'Leary put yesterday's defeat at Wimbledon down to tiredness. Well, maybe! Still, the Lokomotiv encounter in midweek was hardly a close run affair, stretching every nerve and sinew, was it?

In reality, it seemed to me that Wimbledon were just hungrier for the win on the day - and scored their goals at just the right times - something we ourselves have been able to do with regularity during our recent run.

If the match highlighted any Leeds weaknesses at all, it was surely our lack of quality cover up front. Although Bridges isn't yet the finished article, we missed him big time yesterday. Huckerby, for all his honest endeavour, isn't an out and out striker whilst Smith - despite the hype - isn't performing with enough consistency this season. I know he's still only a bairn and might go on to become the greatest thing since sliced wholemeal bread, but I don't really think he's done the business consistently enough this season. (I hope he proves me wrong by banging in a hat trick against Bradford City, next time round!)

Hartson may have his critics and major flaws - his tendancy to kick fellow team mates in the head being one of them. However, it is this type of bustling centre forward we need, when the going gets tough this season: someone who can add another dimension to our game when the pretty passing game isn't quite coming off!

Robbie Earle's words of warning, which I reported yesterday, turned out not to be bravado - but a realistic assessment of what lay in store for United at Selhurst Park this afternoon. Goals by Hartson and Gayle gave Wimbledon a somewhat unexpected 2-0 win and put an end to Leeds' recent impressive unbeaten run.

To read a report of the match, click here.

It's back to Premiership matters tomorrow with a tricky looking game against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park. Never a happy hunting ground for United, I'm sure O'Leary will be interested to hear Robbie Earle's promise that, "We'll go out there to make it hard for Leeds. We'll fight for everything. We're back in the groove and ready to make it tough for our visitors." A touch of bravado from a team who have only won one of their Premiership home games so far this season? Certainly not the understated way O'Leary goes about things. We'll have to see who has the last word - at a quarter to six on Sunday afternoon.

To read a full match preview and report, click here.

What a performance! O'Leary said after the game, quite rightly, that he would have been happy with a 0-0 draw. Yet, once again, we've made our critics sit up and take notice with a performance of real quality. The only problem with running out 7-1 aggregate winners is that it makes it look as if we were playing no hopers, which was clearly not the case. If we'd been just a little off colour in either of the legs, LoKomotiv had enough quality in midfield and up front to hut us. I'm convinced it was one of the toughest UEFA draws for the British teams - but the size of our victory means, yet again, that we probably won't get the credit we deserve.

The draw for Round 3 toook place in Geneva this afternoon, giving us a return trip to Moscow - but this time Spartak. O'Leary was hoping to avoid one of the Champions League exiles but, what a surprise, we ended up being paired with one. In any case, the way we're playing at the moment, who cares? If we're going to get anywhere in this competition, UEFA clearly aren't going to do us any favours. We're going to have to do it the hard way.

The Spartak Moscow ties take place on Thursday November 25th (away) and Thursday December 9th.

Anyone who witnessed United's victory over Lokomotiv at Elland Road a fortnight ago will know only too well that the tie is far from over - despite our 4-1 advantage at the half way stage.

Locomotiv are a more than capable side, as they showed in the first leg, with plenty of pace in key positions, good movement up front and with several players able to pack a powerful shot. Add to that the weather conditions - which will clearly favour the home side - and a tricky contest looks to be on the cards.

Having said this, in our current run of form a 4-1 first leg lead should surely see us through. Although it's not inconceivable that we could let in goals, the fact remains that we always look likely to score one or two. Remember that a 3-0 win would see the Russians through but if we could manage to net a couple, they would need to score six! Hence, the Leeds Boss will no doubt adopt his usual policy of gonig out there to win the game.

He looks set to be able to pick from a full strength squad. However, expect possible changes to the team, especially up front - with a tactical switch or two more than likely.

As United's dispute with the Australian FA threatened to get uglier earlier today, Peter Risdale appeared to offer an olive branch to Frank Farina, the Aussie coach.

Speaking on Radio Five Live, he explained that Leeds would offer the Australians a compromise - with Kewell playing in the first match against Brazil, on November 10th, but returning home in plenty of time for the following weekend's encounter with Bradford City on November 20th. It appears likely that Farina would accept the new deal.

Risdale explained O'Leary's decision - which was taken in the player's as well as the club's best interests. However, I'm sure he is aware of the uproar David's attitude has caused down-under, where Kewell is regarded as an absolute superstar.

There was more speculation today that Leeds were about to swoop for a Norwegian striker. However the player concerned this time wasn't Lange or Flo but Ole Martin Aarst.

Aarst plays his football in Belgium for FC Gent, following a move from Anderlecht over the close season - and this time round is knocking the goals in for fun: ten in eleven games. However, the player has already had a trial with United when Graham was in charge - but didn't impress particularly. What's more worrying is that Birmingham City didn't take up the offer either following a trial with them last season. So whether he turns out to be the answer to all our prayers would seem somewhat unlikely. The only bonus is that he is Norwegian (having played for both Tromso, Lange's club, and Sogndal, Bakke's club), a nationality which, at least in football terms, offers qualities of honesty and reliability not always found elsewhere.

Elsewhere, yet another row is brewing between Leeds and the Australian FA over forthcoming friendlies against Brazil, in which they are obviously keen for Harry Kewell to play. The games, in November, both take place during a Premiership break but Leeds have stated categorically that they wish Harry to stay to recharge his batteries.

The problem is, though, Kewell himself appears bitterly disappointed this time round. No doubt looking forward to pitting his wits against the likes of Ronaldo, he was said to be "totally gutted to be missing out." One thing is certain: we don't want to risk putting the nose of our most gifted footballer out of joint, if we can help it. Perhaps a compromise might be in order, before FIFA get dragged into the battle by Australia.