Venables can keep Robbie

Terry Venables has won the right to keep £12million Robbie Keane at Elland Road.

The former England coach feared he would have to sell the Republic of Ireland World Cup star in order to reduce further the club's debts, despite the £30m exit of Rio Ferdinand to Manchester United this summer.

But chairman Peter Ridsdale has assured Venables that he does not need to sacrifice the 22-year-old - or any of his other key players - to help balance the books.

Venables confirmed that he viewed Keane's continued presence as essential in a season that will offer only brief scope for recruitment once the August 31 transfer deadline has passed.

Ridsdale said last night: 'There is no pressure on the manager to offload players before the transfer window closes. Terry can keep all those he feels will fit into our team, but if bids come in for players we consider are not going to even make the bench, then I'll talk to him about whether he wants to sell them or not.'

Keane, who scored a brilliant goal as a substitute to cap Leeds' openingday 3-0 win over Manchester City at Elland Road, will feel vindicated over his determination to stay and try to win a regular place in the first team.

He refused to even discuss a £9m move to Sunderland and though Tottenham remain firm admirers, Keane has made it plain that he sees his future at Elland Road.