United's chairman gave an unequivocal response to claims that he would be willing to relinquish control of Elland Road at the end of the season, describing the suggestion as "irresponsible" and with "no foundation".

Bates addressed the issue in his matchday programme column ahead of Saturday's game between Leeds and Carlisle United, and his comments appear to have ruled out the possibility of the League One club changing hands in the immediate future. Bates said: "For the avoidance of doubt, Leeds United is not for sale and any tentative enquiries on that front have been rebuffed. It is no secret that we will welcome a serious substantial partner. Note the word is 'welcome' – not 'need'.

"We are progressing very well on the road to recovery but we recognise that an injection of capital would accelerate the process."

Questions over Bates' long-term plans for United have existed ever since he bought back Leeds from administrators KPMG after the club were declared insolvent last summer.

The 76-year-old is presently constrained by the 'anti-embarassment' clause which was included in the deal which finalised his takeover in July, and which would see a large portion of

any funds raised by the sale of United – 50 per cent of anything over £5m – paid directly to the unsecured creditors who were owed money by Leeds last summer.

The clause, however, will expire at end of June, leaving Bates free to ponder any takeover bids without financial restraint.

Former Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd is understood to have considered investing in Leeds, but Bates' stance on Saturday reflected previous comments from Leeds insisting they would seriously consider offers of investment but would not contemplate selling a majority shareholding.

The ownership of United is of less concern to Bates at present than his argument with the Football League, which may finally reach a conclusion this week.

Leeds have taken their fight to overturn their 15-point deduction to independent arbitration and a three-man panel will begin hearing evidence on Wednesday.

United claimed a 3-2 victory over Carlisle on Saturday and are 12 points short of second position with a game in hand over the majority of other clubs.

Gary McAllister will look for another win at Huddersfield Town tomorrow night to further improve the club's standing, but United's manager admitted the end of arbitration would come as a relief.

"What I've started thinking about is how other clubs are seeing it now and how they're feeling," he said.

"But I think that as much as the players have been fully focused, if they pick up a paper and see that it's been dealt with, that will be a relief."

Two goals from Dougie Freedman earned Leeds their victory over Carlisle, completing a rampant second-half fightback after Scott Dobie's goal gave the visitors a 1-0 lead at the break.

McAllister said: "We deserved the three points, but what we don't need now is for us to give it the big sigh of relief and think we've achieved something. We've got four games left and we've got to try and win all of them."