Bowyer still part of O'Leary's plans

'There has been so much off the field and it's been full credit to everybody, given what we've had to go through. Nobody realises. When I do my book I will have my say.' Asked if Bowyer wants to play against Deportivo if a verdict is not reached at Hull, O'Leary said: 'What has he been doing these last nine weeks? I think that's your answer.

'It's been unique but I can't expand on that.You don't realise how much pressure there has been. That's no way to prepare for something like this but we have, and we seem to be getting through.'

Team-mate Rio Ferdinand, signed this season from West Ham for £18million, said: 'Obviously it's most difficult for Lee, but the boys take their hats off to him for the way he's conducted himself around this court case. Ninety-nine per cent of people wouldn't be able to handle the kind of pressure he's under.

'Every game he plays in he has been strong. The boys have stuck together and it's brought us closer together.

'We're definitely more of a unit and maybe it's brought us together a little more. But we have a good bunch and that's what we take on to the pitch.

'It's going to be hopefully resolved this week and whatever happens, the club will be a lot better place to be at, instead of having this hanging over our heads.

'There has obviously been a cloud over the club but we don't take it out on to the training field or the pitch. You've got to be professional: you're paid good money to be professional, and that's what we do.

'We go out and know what's expected of us, and that's to get results. We are waiting for it all to go away.

'Lee has more to worry about than anyone and I think this is his kind of getout. When he plays his football he's got something to look forward to at the weekend. That's how he gets his steam out. The boys help him by playing alongside him and getting the three points.'