Row Brewing as Viduka Defies Leeds
November 15, 2000 - 0:0
GLASGOW Mark Viduka risks a dispute with his club Leeds United after the Australian international said he wanted to play in today's friendly against Scotland.
The striker flew into Glasgow on Monday despite being declared unfit by club Manager David O'Leary, who said an ankle injury ruled Viduka out of the game at Hampden Park.
But the 24-year-old, who has scored five goals in his last two English Premier League games for Leeds, insisted he wanted to play in Glasgow, where he spent 20 months with Celtic before a six million pound ($9 million) move to Leeds in July.
Viduka, who limped off after scoring in Leeds's 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday told Scottish reporters: "I will have to see the Australian team physio and see what he thinks about this.
"But I want to play for my country in every game and especially here in Glasgow against Scotland.
"There's no problem as long as I'm all right to play." Viduka will be checked by Australian team doctor Andrew Jowett after a training season on Tuesday at Hampden Park.
But his insistence that he is fit is likely to spark a club against country row between Leeds and the Australian Football Association.
The two sides have already fallen out over the availability of Harry Kewell and a crop of younger Australians at Elland Road who have come from Leeds's Youth Academy in Australia.
Leeds were very disappointed when Viduka missed the early part of the season, including the Champions League, to represent Australia at the Sydney Olympics.
"It's a difficult situation at Leeds at the moment because of the amount of injuries we have," Viduka told the daily Record.
"But I love playing for my country and I don't see why I should not be here.
There a lot of other guys from the club who are all on international duty this week. I am not the only one." Australian National Coach Frank Farina said Leeds had expressed grave doubts to him about Viduka's fitness.
"I have spoken to David O'Leary and it's his opinion that Viduka is not fit to play against Scotland," he said.
"Our doctor and physio will look at him and we will consult the club before reaching any decision, but I don't expect to make that until the day of the game." (Reuter)
The striker flew into Glasgow on Monday despite being declared unfit by club Manager David O'Leary, who said an ankle injury ruled Viduka out of the game at Hampden Park.
But the 24-year-old, who has scored five goals in his last two English Premier League games for Leeds, insisted he wanted to play in Glasgow, where he spent 20 months with Celtic before a six million pound ($9 million) move to Leeds in July.
Viduka, who limped off after scoring in Leeds's 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday told Scottish reporters: "I will have to see the Australian team physio and see what he thinks about this.
"But I want to play for my country in every game and especially here in Glasgow against Scotland.
"There's no problem as long as I'm all right to play." Viduka will be checked by Australian team doctor Andrew Jowett after a training season on Tuesday at Hampden Park.
But his insistence that he is fit is likely to spark a club against country row between Leeds and the Australian Football Association.
The two sides have already fallen out over the availability of Harry Kewell and a crop of younger Australians at Elland Road who have come from Leeds's Youth Academy in Australia.
Leeds were very disappointed when Viduka missed the early part of the season, including the Champions League, to represent Australia at the Sydney Olympics.
"It's a difficult situation at Leeds at the moment because of the amount of injuries we have," Viduka told the daily Record.
"But I love playing for my country and I don't see why I should not be here.
There a lot of other guys from the club who are all on international duty this week. I am not the only one." Australian National Coach Frank Farina said Leeds had expressed grave doubts to him about Viduka's fitness.
"I have spoken to David O'Leary and it's his opinion that Viduka is not fit to play against Scotland," he said.
"Our doctor and physio will look at him and we will consult the club before reaching any decision, but I don't expect to make that until the day of the game." (Reuter)