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Home boy Viduka adds to Leeds' problems
Leeds United's hopes of avoiding relegation from the Premiership suffered another blow on Saturday when caretaker-boss Eddie Gray revealed that star striker Mark Viduka was heading back to Australia because of "a family problem."
Viduka, who played in the first half of his team's 1-0 defeat to Tottenham, will miss next weekend's clash at Southampton.
The Australian international's absence will only add to Gray's mounting problems as the defeat to Spurs left Leeds five points adrift of the safety zone.
Gray will also be without skipper Dominic Matteo for the game at Southampton through suspension, while Salomon Olembe and Lamine Sakho will be away at the African Nations Cup.
"Mark has a personal problem back home with one of his family who is ill. He has been up all night for the last two nights and he almost flew back last night," said Gray. "But he decided to give it a go, however it was clear his mind was not really on it. I had a chat with him at half time and now he's going to go back home."
Former Leeds striker Robbie Keane scored the only goal of the game. The Republic of Ireland international latched onto a Mauricio Taricco free-kick, before hitting his eighth goal of the season past Paul Robinson. But there was no trademark cartwheel celebration from the Irish striker.
"He has a habit of scoring against his ex-club, but he didn't celebrate," said Spurs caretaker-boss Pleat. "In the emotion of the game that's a hard thing not to do, but he had the presence of mind not to do that against his old team."
Relegation is now a real possibility for Leeds who have gone five games without a win in the league, suffering three straight defeats and Saturday's latest setback was greeted by boos from the Elland Road crowd.
"That's the first time this season the crowd have had a go and they were within their rights to do so," said Gray.
Home boy Viduka adds to Leeds' problems
Leeds United's hopes of avoiding relegation from the Premiership suffered another blow on Saturday when caretaker-boss Eddie Gray revealed that star striker Mark Viduka was heading back to Australia because of "a family problem."
Viduka, who played in the first half of his team's 1-0 defeat to Tottenham, will miss next weekend's clash at Southampton.
The Australian international's absence will only add to Gray's mounting problems as the defeat to Spurs left Leeds five points adrift of the safety zone.
Gray will also be without skipper Dominic Matteo for the game at Southampton through suspension, while Salomon Olembe and Lamine Sakho will be away at the African Nations Cup.
"Mark has a personal problem back home with one of his family who is ill. He has been up all night for the last two nights and he almost flew back last night," said Gray. "But he decided to give it a go, however it was clear his mind was not really on it. I had a chat with him at half time and now he's going to go back home."
Former Leeds striker Robbie Keane scored the only goal of the game. The Republic of Ireland international latched onto a Mauricio Taricco free-kick, before hitting his eighth goal of the season past Paul Robinson. But there was no trademark cartwheel celebration from the Irish striker.
"He has a habit of scoring against his ex-club, but he didn't celebrate," said Spurs caretaker-boss Pleat. "In the emotion of the game that's a hard thing not to do, but he had the presence of mind not to do that against his old team."
Relegation is now a real possibility for Leeds who have gone five games without a win in the league, suffering three straight defeats and Saturday's latest setback was greeted by boos from the Elland Road crowd.
"That's the first time this season the crowd have had a go and they were within their rights to do so," said Gray.