Leeds United face fresh competition for £25m man as Celtic boss speaks out on play-off final

The stakes couldn't be higher for Leeds United when they take on Southampton in the Championship play-off final on Sunday afternoon. Win and Daniel Farke's side will regain their Premier League status at the first time of asking, a year on from succumbing to Premier League relegation.

Lose and the Whites will resigned to the Championship for a second season and that could have big knock on effects as the club look to make ends meet financially. The pressure is on then and although the club have lost to Southampton on two occasions already this season, they'll be feeling confident of getting over the line and securing promotion in front of more than 36,000 Leeds fans at Wembley.

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Farke has spoken to preview the game and he will take his players and staff down the capital over the 24 hours to prepare for their most important outing of the season. Ahead of the clash, the Yorkshire Evening Post provides a round up of the latest Leeds United news.

O'Riley latest

Newcastle United have been keeping tabs on Celtic's Matt O'Riley ahead of a potential move for him in the summer, according to the Chronicle. Leeds United have been strongly linked with a move for the Denmark international and the report adds that Newcastle would have to battle Leeds, Leicester and a number of Premier League clubs for his signature.

Of course, Leeds would only be in a position to make a move for O'Riley should they win promotion this weekend and it seems he wouldn't come cheap. A report in the Daily Mirror back in April suggested Celtic would only consider selling him this summer should they receive a Scottish record transfer fee of more than £25m.

Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and Girona have also been linked to the midfielder, who has racked up 19 goals and 18 assists in 48 games this season for the Scottish Premiership champions.

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Brendan Rodgers’ verdict

Speaking of Celtic, their manager Brendan Rodgers has been giving his thoughts on this weekend's Championship play-off final. Rodgers knows all about the stresses and strains of the final, having won promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs with Swansea City back in 2011 and while he stopped short of giving a prediction, he does expect an entertaining afternoon in the capital.

Rodgers, who is preparing his side for the Scottish Cup final this weekend, has had reason to keep a keen eye on the Championship this season given his association with Leicester and he admits he is delighted to see the club back in the big time.

"So happy for Leicester to go up, great club. A shame the club went down, Enzo [Maresca] has done a great job," the Celtic boss told Talksport. “The other two clubs for the play-offs, I’ve been in that position with Swansea – it’s such a massive game, the consequences of that game are huge. I am sure it will be a really good final.”