Martyn ready to fight corner

13 April 2012

Terry Venables will join Leeds' mini-tour of Australia and the Far East today and finally give his players the chance to continue the difficult process of impressing him.

For some that will be harder than others. Goalkeeper Nigel Martyn insists he had permission to miss the long haul Down Under, but in doing so the England No.2 has handed the preseason initiative to youngster Paul Robinson.

Others among the Elland Road entourage will be disappointed that Venables has been absent from the trip thus far, although he will hold his first training session today ahead of tomorrow's clash with Chilean outfit Colo Colo in Melbourne.

Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane, now being pursued by Tottenham as well as Sunderland, is desperate to impress Venables, who is still under pressure to raise additional funds before he can start to contemplate serious offers for Chelsea defender William Gallas and Feyenoord's £7million-rated Australia midfielder Brett Emerton.

Although there is now talk of Darren Anderton leaving White Hart Lane in a swap deal with Keane, Peter Reid's £8m offer remains the only one accepted by a Leeds board keen to aid Venables in the transfer market after the sale of Rio Ferdinand to Manchester United.

Striker Mark Viduka, back in his home town, admitted it had been a difficult start for the new boss, who took charge a fortnight ago after David O'Leary's departure.

The Australia international, himself linked with a move away from Yorkshire, is still hopeful the former England coach will bring muchneeded stability to the club.

Viduka said: 'It is difficult for us and Terry as well. It must be hard for him to plan ahead when he doesn't know which players are coming or going.

'This is a new start under Terry, who has a wealth of experience and has managed at clubs like Barcelona, so he commands respect. He is the type of manager to bring the best out of us and the way he conducts himself around here gives everybody confidence. I am sure he will do a good job here.'

One of those players starting afresh is Lee Bowyer, who went out separately to Australia after his Liverpool move broke down.

But the spotlight switched to Martyn after claims of a bust-up with Venables. Martyn, however, has angrily denied a rift with the new boss, who missed the early part of the trip to film a travel programme in the Seychelles for ITV.

The 35-year-old keeper has dismissed the theory that England Under 21 star Robinson will become Venables' No.1. Martyn said: 'I am surprised at reports that I have been told that I will not be No.1 next season. I have been told no such thing.

'My reasons for missing the pre-season tour are in the interests of Leeds. I told Terry Venables that, after playing in all of the Leeds games last season and then joining England for the World Cup, my body would be in better condition if I stayed behind and trained in England - to which he was understanding.

'In six years at Leeds I have missed only a handful of training sessions and first-team games. My commitment to the club has not been questioned, and I expect to be No.1 when the season starts.'

Robinson should start against Colo Colo tomorrow and in the final game of the tour against a Bangkok XI in Thailand on Tuesday, having kept a clean sheet during an hour-long appearance in the win over Green Town in China earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Gallas's agent Willie McKay disclosed that Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale is considering a bid for the 24-year- old, who has turned down a new contract at Chelsea. He has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for £1.5m more than the £6m he cost from Marseille last summer.

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David Jones (Footballer)

Martyn ready to fight corner

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