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Crunch time looms for Freedman
Leeds United loan star Dougie Freedman's future will be decided at the end of this month – when he holds crunch talks with Crystal Palace.
The Whites are awaiting developments and are thought to be keen to tie up a permanent deal for the 34-year-old if he leaves Selhurst Park.
But they could face competition for his services, with two southern-based clubs also understood to be interested if Freedman moves on.
Freedman had a successful loan spell at Elland Road last term – and proved an attacking talisman in the final few months of the season while thoroughly enjoying his time in West Yorkshire.
Should he leave, the veteran Scot, settled in the south with a young family, would be faced with a tricky decision to relocate to Yorkshire or head elsewhere.
He said: "I found it hard leaving my family behind during the loan and that would not be an option – it would be a case of all or nothing.
"My time at Leeds proved I can still offer something."
The Eagles legend will speak with boss Neil Warnock when he returns from a family holiday in Dubai to find out where he stands.
Freedman has a year left on his Palace deal, but with Warnock keen to build his side around youth – his days could be numbered.
That said, Freedman may yet decide to fight for his place in SE25, having battled back into the Eagles' reckoning several times before in his career. He said: "I've got a year to go on my contract and I need to decide if I'll fight for my place – I have changed previous Palace bosses' minds in the past.
"I know Iain Dowie and Peter Taylor both told me I might not be in their plans and I ended up signing new contracts. But it's about getting the opportunity to show what I can do.
"I don't need to prove myself at Palace but I need to prove myself to Neil Warnock. The last thing I want to do is dig my heels in and stop the likes of Victor Moses and Sean Scannell coming through, but on the other hand I do think I can offer something."
Meanwhile, Leeds will have to fight off plenty of Championship interest to land target Derek Riordan, right, according to agent Jim McArthur.
The Celtic ace is set to leave Parkhead this summer, with Burnley and Leeds thought to be leading the hunt.
McArthur said: "Burnley are interested and they have a Scottish manager (Owen Coyle), who knows the lad really well and there's quite a lot of Championship interest.
"Obviously Leeds are a huge club with their size and pulling power.
"Leeds were interested in January and Leeds have been interested through the years, they've always been interested in Derek. Kevin Blackwell was interested in him."
Meanwhile, one man who definitely won't be heading to Elland Road is old boy David Healy – despite reports linking the Fulham striker with a possible return.
Healy's agent Stephen Hughes said: "There's no truth in it at all, absolutely none. I've done deals with lots of players over the last five or 10 years at Leeds and there's nothing in it.
"Meanwhile, Whites fans are backing the club's bid to return to the Championship in 2008/09 in their thousands – with sales of season-tickets having shot past the 10,000 mark.
Season-ticket sales for next season resumed this week, with United's loyal fans quick to demonstrate their faith by backing the club in huge numbers.
A United spokesperson said: "Our fans are really rallying round and we're delighted at the response. Having such support is very encouraging and to have gone through the 10,000 mark is great news."
Tickets are available again with no increase on the new applicant prices. Any existing season ticket holders who have not renewed or any new applicants are advised to contact the ticket office on 0871 334 1992.
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
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Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
