Leeds ace blasts club for plotting sales

Leeds and England striker Alan Smith (pictured) has blasted his relegation-threatened club for hiring an agent to look into selling stars including himself and strike partner Mark Viduka.

Leeds and England striker Alan Smith has blasted his relegation-threatened club for hiring an agent to look into selling stars including himself and strike partner Mark Viduka.

Goalkeeper Paul Robinson and teenage forward James Milner are also on a list of players who are likely to be sold if, as appears increasingly, the cash-strapped Yorkshire giants are relegated to division one.

Leeds chairman Gerald Krasner admitted the club had begun exploring how much they would be able to raise by selling their prized assets.

"We obviously cannot do anything until the end of the season with regard to the players," Krasner said. "All I would say is, if there are clubs interested then they should declare their interest."

Smith, who has admitted he will leave Leeds if they go down, said he was unhappy at being touted around to find the highest bidder.

"Everyone knows I love this club and yet it seems they have appointed an agent to sell me somewhere I might not want to go," Smith said.

"This doesn't just affect me, there are other players in the same position who are just as disappointed about what is happening.

"If I have to leave - and that is not certain - it will be to a club of my choice not theirs."

Birmingham are currently favourites to capture Smith should he become available while Viduka has been linked with moves to Roma and a number of Turkish clubs.

The Australian could be on his way even if Leeds survive because his huge wages -- totalling 3.5 million pounds per year -- are regarded as unsustainable by the club's new directors.