LEEDS United manager Kevin Blackwell expects to have Eirik Bakke and Seth Johnson available for a first team return early next month.

The experienced midfield pair completed 45 minutes in the reserves with no problems this week, but Blackwell won't gamble on their fitness.

Bakke tore a thigh muscle last April and suffered a cruciate ligament injury during a pre-season Swedish tour. Johnson damaged his cruciate ligament in April and both have faced the long haul back to fitness.

Blackwell said: "I am looking for Eirik and Seth to be back in the first or second week of February. I would be delighted by that, but I am not prepared to gamble by rushing them back.

"We did that with Eirik last season and it backfired. If I have to delay their comeback by an extra week and a half in the interests of their long-term interests I will do so."

Meanwhile, chairman Gerald Krasner says negotiations will continue with Norman Stubbs and his consortium of local businessmen following Sebastien Sainsbury's decision to withdraw his interest in buying the club.

The threat of administration and a subsequent deduction of ten league points is growing closer by the day and Stubbs is the only remaining contender to complete a rescue.

Updated: 12:11 Saturday, January 15, 2005