Leeds United players are likely to agree to a wage deferral to help the premier league club with its financial problems, the club said today.
Chief executive Trevor Birch met the players and the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) to discuss deferring a percentage of their wages to help the club save £5 million to continue operating until the end of the season.
"There has been a positive meeting between the players, the club and the PFA," Leeds said in a statement.
"The players are now fully aware of the financial position of the club and are prepared to offer support should it be required.
Staff wages at the club amounted to £56.6 million in the year to June 30th 2003, or 88 per cent of turnover. Losses soared to almost £50 million in the year, a record for a premier league club.
Leeds have another week to find the £5 million they need to cover their operating costs until the end of the season after agreeing a reprieve with creditors, who are owed over £80 million.
Yesterday, in a statement to the stock exchange, Leeds said that the agreement provided a further extension to February 6th conditional on the "achievement of certain financial and other covenants.
Leeds may be forced to sell a player such as striker Alan Smith or goalkeeper Paul Robinson but Birch has made it clear their priority is staying in the lucrative premier league and holding on to their players is the best way to achieve this.
Leeds reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2001 and were riding high domestically but now look to be heading for the drop after winning only four of their 22 matches this season.
The team has been weakened by the sale of a number of key players as part of the club's efforts to cut the debts amassed after a high-risk spending spree on highly-paid players.
PFA chairman Gordon Taylor said on Monday that players were generally helpful to clubs in financial difficulty.