Mest interessant og triste i dagens artikel fra YEP er at Leeds ikke ønsker Mullan - trodde det var en done deal...
Kanskje man har en annen ving i ermet
LEEDS UNITED'S friendly against York City will go ahead as planned tonight after the Football Association granted permission for the club to begin their domestic pre-season schedule.
This evening's clash at KitKat Crescent was thrown into doubt after City released a statement claiming uncertainty surrounding Ken Bates' purchase of United might prevent the fixture from going ahead.
Leeds began their pre-season campaign with a friendly against Shelbourne in Dublin last weekend, but the cancellation of tonight's clash – when Norwegian striker Tore Andre Flo is expected to return to United's line-up – would have inflicted further harm on Dennis Wise's plans for next season. United's manager has yet to make a single signing this summer.
Doubts over tonight's game were due to technicalities relating to the sale of Leeds to Bates by administrators KPMG on Wednesday.
Leeds Utd 2007 Ltd – the company which bought United and now owns the club's assets – are waiting for their takeover to receive Football League approval, and are not yet officially affiliated to the League.
It is understood that the Football Association require clubs to have affiliation to a recognised organisation before allowing them to compete in England under the FA's banner.
But discussions with the Association have resolved the issue and Leeds have been given permission to fulfil their pre-season fixtures, beginning at KitKat Crescent tonight.
Leeds Utd 2007 Ltd are continuing to lobby the Football League for the return of their 'golden share', which has been withheld by the League since Leeds entered administration on May 4.
United will remain under a transfer embargo until they regain the share, but Wise will further his plans for the forthcoming League One campaign during this evening's clash in North Yorkshire.
Flo's return to proceedings will be of particular satisfaction, almost six months after the forward fractured his foot.
The ex-Chelsea striker was signed on a short-term contract in January, but his injury restricted him to only two first team appearances. Despite a relegation release clause in his original deal, Flo is expected to extend his stay with Leeds.
Matt Heath, Alan Thompson and Manuel Rui Marques have all been named in Wise's squad for this evening, and trialists Curtis Weston, David Prutton and Leon Constantine are also involved, suggesting all three players are ready to commit themselves to Leeds in the long term.
An unnamed trialist goalkeeper is expected to feature.
Former Manchester United winger Jamie Mullan is absent from the squad, however, and Leeds are understood to have ended their interest in the youngster.
Mullan has completed two trials at Thorp Arch but appears to have failed to win a contract. The 19-year-old ignored the offer of three-year deal from Swansea City to follow up his interest in joining Leeds, and is now expected to join Nottingham Forest on trial next week.
Wise has seen limited movement out of Elland Road since releasing several out-of-contract players in May, though rumours continue to link striker Robbie Blake with a return to Burnley and interest in David Healy is expected to increase this month.
But United have suffered a blow after two more of their academy products effectively cut their ties with the Elland Road club.
England youth international Ben Gordon has already turned down a scholarship with Leeds, attracting the interest of three Premiership clubs, and fellow youngster Danny Ward has now decided to continue his career elsewhere.
But the imminent loss of winger Danny Rose, who yesterday resigned from the club's scholarship scheme, will be of greater disappointment to Wise and Leeds.
The winger remained at Elland Road last year despite attracting strong interest from Chelsea during the build-up to the dispute which saw the Stamford Bridge club pay around £4m to Leeds for Michael Woods and Tom Taiwo, two other products of the Thorp Arch academy.
Rose was expected to break into United's first-team next season, but he is now pursuing a move to the Premiership. Tottenham are among those clubs expected to move for Rose's signature.
United will expect to receive compensation for all three players.
United (v York City): Richardson, Marques, Heath, Lewis, Carole, Prutton, Weston, Thompson, Douglas, Howson, Westlake, Constantine, Beckford, Kandol, Elliott, Bayly, Delph, Flo, Cresswell, Trialist.
