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Leeds hoping Viduka return can help them beat drop

First Published: Apr 30, 2004
Leeds are praying the return of Mark Viduka will help them defy recent history and escape relegation.

Leeds are praying the return of Mark Viduka will help them defy recent history and escape relegation.

Leeds are praying the return of Mark Viduka will help them defy recent history and escape relegation.

Caretaker-boss Eddie Gray admits Leeds could have to win their three remaining matches if they are to beat the drop -- and that is something the club has not achieved since the middle of last season.

Leeds' fate could effectively be sealed by Sunday if Manchester City beat Newcastle on Saturday and Gray's men go down at Bolton 24 hours later.

"If we are going to stay up we have to win three games to give ourselves any chance," Gray accepts.

Viduka will be back in the Leeds forward line after missing last weekend's disastrous home defeat by Portsmouth through suspension. But Gray will have to do without midfielders Seth Johnson and Eirik Bakke, who are both injured.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce's main concern is over the fitness of central defender Emerson Thome, who is struggling to overcome a knee injury.