LONDON Leeds United could be without Australians Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka for the first six weeks of the English Premier League after both players said they hoped to play in the Olympic Games next month.
Kewell and Viduka are eager to play for the Olympic hosts in Sydney and Leeds are powerless to stop them.
Kewell, who is currently injured, said in his column in the Sydney Sunday Telegraph: "Those know-alls who have written me off for the Olympics are way off-beam.
"Sure I'm injured right now but contrary to reports I'm still hopeful of playing the first Premier League match of the season for Leeds at home to Everton on Saturday week.
"I'm still focused on the Olympic Games as much as I ever was.
Why wouldn't I be? "But it's a case of looking at the bigger picture. And that picture includes the Olympic Games." Striker Viduka, a six million pound ($9 million) signing from Celtic, said: "I always love playing for my country, for Australia, and it's very important for me to also play at home in the Sydney Olympics.
"I would like to play but as yet I haven't discussed it with David O'Leary." Soccer Australia have asked Kewell and Viduka to report for duty on August 20, a day after the Premier League starts.
Leeds are currently in talks with FIFA, football's governing body, and Soccer Australia to reach a compromise on the release date for the players.
(Reuter)