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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Smith wanted by Leeds and Cardiff | Smith wanted by Leeds and Cardiff |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Leeds have joined Cardiff in the chase to secure Manchester United striker Alan Smith on loan. | Leeds have joined Cardiff in the chase to secure Manchester United striker Alan Smith on loan. |
| United have already accepted an offer from Cardiff but Smith's former club have now expressed an interest. | United have already accepted an offer from Cardiff but Smith's former club have now expressed an interest. |
| "We have only just found out about his availability, but there's a possibility of a deal," said Leeds boss Wise. | "We have only just found out about his availability, but there's a possibility of a deal," said Leeds boss Wise. |
| United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed: "The fact we are no longer in the Carling Cup, I thought a short-term loan would be ideal." | |
| Smith, 26, joined United for £7m after Leeds were relegated from the Premiership in 2004 but he suffered a broken leg in February and has not played regularly since returning. | Smith, 26, joined United for £7m after Leeds were relegated from the Premiership in 2004 but he suffered a broken leg in February and has not played regularly since returning. |
| United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "I think he has spoken to someone at Cardiff but he is not certain about whether to take it or not. | United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "I think he has spoken to someone at Cardiff but he is not certain about whether to take it or not. |
| "He really needs football and reserve team football is really for the youth team and doesn't present the right challenge for an experienced player like Alan. | "He really needs football and reserve team football is really for the youth team and doesn't present the right challenge for an experienced player like Alan. |
| 606: DEBATE class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A17218758">Why do we want to let Smudge go out on loan when our striking options are limited? Mike class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/606/default.stm">606: Have your say | |
| With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer injured, United are already short of cover for Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha, Ferguson admitted: "There is a bit of risk about sending him out but in the present situation he needs games quickly." | |
| Cardiff's move, confirmed by the club earlier on Friday, is thought to have been instigated by chairman Peter Ridsdale, formerly Smith's chairman at Leeds. | |
| However, the Bluebirds' move seems to have alerted Leeds to Smith's availability. | However, the Bluebirds' move seems to have alerted Leeds to Smith's availability. |
| "It would be a boost for the team and also for the fans of the club," said Wise. | "It would be a boost for the team and also for the fans of the club," said Wise. |
| "He has done it at all levels, but I'm sure there will be 20 other clubs also interested in him. We'll have to wait and see." | "He has done it at all levels, but I'm sure there will be 20 other clubs also interested in him. We'll have to wait and see." |