Leeds players in wage pledge

The team have come in for a barrage of criticism from fans for raising their objections to a pay deferral proposal by chief executive Trevor Birch.

But they released a joint statement on Thursday backing Birch and Leeds.

"We wish to make it clear that we are fully behind the club and are working with Trevor Birch and the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) in the hope of solving the problems."

Leeds deny Smith sale

The players stressed that the matter of wage deferral was still up for discussion.

"Some of the reports we have read in the papers are wrong," the statement added.

"We are together as a team and no decision has yet been made one way or the other on whether to defer a percentage of wages.

"We have said that we will be prepared to support the club should it be required."

Leeds may be forced to cash in on some of their star players such as Alan Smith, Mark Viduka and Paul Robinson to raise the �5m they need to avoid going into administration.

There's only one way forward and that's getting behind the lads! From Bertie Whitester Have your say on 606

In a bid to cut costs, Leeds chief executive Trevor Birch had been hoping to terminate the contracts of Zoumana Camara and Didier Domi.

But Camara and Domi have refused to sign papers allowing the club to cancel their season-long deals from Lens and Paris St Germain respectively.

Agent Willie Mackay confirmed: "There was no negotiating. They refused because at the end of the day, if a club takes a player on loan for a season, then they have him for that season.

"It's all very messy and it smacks of desperation to me. Leeds have gone the wrong way about things."

Mackay has dropped a further bombshell on Leeds with the news that Lamine Sakho and Salomon Olembe are to leave before the close of the transfer window at the end of the month.

Olembe (left) is poised to join Blackburn

Caretaker manager Eddie Gray had been hoping to keep the two summer loan signings from Marseille, who are currently on African Nations Cup duty.

But Mackay has negotiated transfers for the duo when they return from Tunisia, with Olembe poised to join Blackburn, while another - as yet unnamed - Premiership club are to sign Sakho.

"I have lined up deals for both players and they will be moving before the end of the transfer window," confirmed Mackay.

One player definitely leaving Leeds is Roque Junior, who has today agreed to have his contract terminated, with the AC Milan defender now likely to join Hamburg.