Sven wants Smith back

But the fans' brave new world is likely to include the sight of Smith in a Manchester United shirt if he stays in England. Sir Alex Ferguson has already launched his charm offensive. It worked with Rio Ferdinand and Smith sees suitors Newcastle as 'a nearly' club.

Leeds' uncertain future might not include Gray either. He will be offered an alternative role as head of youth development this week, but the popular former winger will think long and hard about accepting.

Gray, sacked as a coach only last summer, answered the Leeds SOS in November out of devotion to a club he has served on and off for 40 years, but those caretaker duties will end on Saturday at Chelsea.

Uncertainty too surrounds a proposed second takeover. Millionaire fan Steve Parkin, who has increased a rejected £23m bid, is being frustrated by a section of the current board.

Parkin and his group, adamant they have the funds to invest once in charge, are planning to tempt back Trevor Birch as chief executive as well as offering Crystal Palace manager Iain Dowie a return north.

Chairman Gerald Krasner's board, stonewalling on a deal with a £7m 'parachute payment' due soon as well as up to £15m in transfer fees, are now considering making head coach Kevin Blackwell manager.

Blackwell, meanwhile, could be a target for his old club Sheffield United as well as other admirers.

And so it goes on in football's most complicated soap. Confused? You will be, though not quite so much as a defence that tied itself in knots with an unexpected home win all but sorted at 3- 1 with 15 minutes left. But Michael Duberry, the crowd's tongue- i n - cheek hero, first conceded the game's second penalty then tried to play his way out of trouble minutes later to flummox his own goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

Charlton's point from the two resultant Jason Euell goals was not enough to keep alive Alan Curbishley's bid for Europe and the highly-rated manager may feel he has taken this team as far as he can.

His pointed midweek remarks about Leeds' 'fraudulent' Champions League status, achieved using borrowed money to buy players, presumably mean Charlton will not take the plunge needed to chase the big three.

It is a dilemma facing several wannabe clubs, including David O'Leary's vastly-improved Aston Villa, but one which no longer concerns Leeds as their best players prepare for this summer's long goodbye.

Viduka, sitting with son Joseph in the west stand, chose a low-key farewell after his red card in the Bolton defeat that confirmed relegation. Like Smith, his wages are too big a burden to carry any longer.

Leeds must look instead to youth. Scorer Matthew Kilgallon, if he resists West Ham's overtures, and right back Frazer Richardson showed there is a glimmer of light at the end of even Leeds' dark tunnel.