It looks like the payers will finally get paid some time soon, but although Casper has agreed in principle to come back to Leeds, we might have to start the season without a recognized goalkeeper!

The good news is that after days of delicate negotiations, it looks like the players will be paid for the first time in seven weeks, by tomorrow at the latest. "I would hope payment of the Leeds players will take place in the next 24-48 hours," said Mick McGuire, deputy chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association.

But this will only be the payment for June, and their monthly salaries due at the end of July might also be late, unless the Golden Share is returned by the League. Without the share the club is unable to access more than £3m accrued through the sales of David Healy, Robbie Blake, Kevin Nicholls and Danny Rose. The players would be able to leave the club as free agents if they are not paid for 90 days.

Meanwhile, the much-criticised administrator KPMG are about to explain their actions. "We will be sending a letter out to creditors on Friday explaining the reasons behind our decision," a source told the Guardian. "We hope it will help creditors understand the situation more clearly."

The bad news is that although the payment of players wages will prevent the current squad from walking away from the club as free agents, we are still under a transfer embargo. So we might have to start the season without a proper goalkeeper, as we cannot complete the deals we have lined up for Casper Ankergren and Watford's Scott Loach, unless the Football League give us special dispensation. However, the Football League's transfer embargo rules for clubs in administration are flexible in regard to the number of professionals they have registered. If that number falls below 20 then clubs can apply to the League for permission to bring players in - and Leeds have 17.

Gus Poyet told the BBC "Normally we would have a plan. When you look to sign a keeper you have a first, second and third choice so if you don't get one player you can try for another one. But at the moment we are still waiting. We have Scott training with us but he cannot sign yet and everything could change. Of course, you want to have your players attached to the club. You need to know he is going to play so you can train with him and the back four together so they can get to know each other. Let's hope it can be worked out."

So if you're going to our opening game at Tranmere, don't forget your boots and your green jersey. You may be needed.

Photo: Action Images

Colchester United Polls