Leeds rescue team will go for Strachan

Gordon Strachan will be the prime target to become Leeds United manager for the consortium of Yorkshire businessmen poised to complete a £20million rescue of the debt-ridden Premiership club.

Strachan, who has just quit Southampton, was being lined up to succeed Peter Reid last year, but Leeds' dire financial straits forced them to install coach Eddie Gray.

Now the new regime, which involves the family of former Bradford City chairman Geoffrey Richmond, hope to persuade popular former Leeds skipper Strachan to cut short his sabbatical this summer.

But caretaker Gray would not be ditched by the new board, who could tie up their takeover in the next 48 hours after agreeing terms with the club's main creditors owed £83m.

Firing Gray, despite hiring Strachan, would be a PR own goal for a consortium that has aroused suspicion among fans, who have questioned their motives and obsessive secrecy.

Plans to raise funds by the sale and lease-back of Elland Road involving former Watford chairman Jack Petchey are key to the rescue, while the Thorp Arch training ground could also go.