By Mandeep Sanghera BBC Sport Online

Leeds United boss Terry Venables is convinced he can keep Lee Bowyer - by bringing glory back to Elland Road.

Bowyer's present Leeds deal runs out next summer, when the �15m-rated midfielder will be able to leave on a Bosman free transfer.

He has so far refused the club's offer of a new contract but, after Bowyer's superb goal against West Brom on Saturday, Venables made it clear he wants to keep the 25-year-old.

"We can't do anything," said Venables, whose side top the Premiership following the 3-1 win against the Baggies.

"It's in his hands. He quite rightly has a year to go and if he wants to leave at the end of that year I'd be very disappointed.

"It's happened to me before but I have fought for that myself so I've got no problem with that - as much as I would hate it to happen. But it's possible.

"I don't think - and I've felt for a long while - that it (Bosman free transfer) is the golden egg that everyone felt it was going to be. There are going to be a lot of good players that can't get clubs.

"In his case - there are going to be exceptions and he is an exceptional player - he might look to do that or he might feel that he is enjoying what is happening here and that is what I hope."

Venables added: "We hope to create an environement that he enjoys and wants to be a part of."

He admitted that he was excited by the potential of the Leeds squad but the former England manager played down any title talk so early on in the season.

"I am delighted with him (Bowyer). He's been terrific to work with like all of them.

"They're all working really hard. Slowing them down is a bit of a problem at the moment. They are very keen.

"We're just trying to start the season well. We can't talk about going for the championship at this stage but it's a good start."

Meanwhile, Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale has revealed he received hate mail in the wake of Rio Ferdinand's �30m sale to Manchester United.

He said: ""I've never done a job where I've been insulted so much and it's hard to cope with.

"The letters I've had since Rio Ferdinand left have been appalling, threatening stuff that makes you wonder about people's psychological state.

"It shocks me that they can be so vitriolic towards me and it's a reminder of how passionate fans can be in a negative way."