ALAN Smith has admitted for the first time that his future may be away from his beloved Leeds United.

The Leeds-born striker says he is in the dark about his future during the uncertainty over the club's future.

Smith said: "I don't know what the future holds for me because of the club's financial situation. I've obviously thought about it but I still don't know where I stand, to be honest.

"You hear people saying they will never sell you and then other people say they are going to have to do that. If the club goes into administration who knows what will happen.

"At the moment I am just doing as much as I can on the field and doing the best I can for Leeds but what the future holds I don't think anybody knows."

Smith's comments will please Newcastle and Manchester United who are both rumoured to be interested should he be available for transfer. However, his departure from Elland Road would be a last resort.

As expected, Leeds United PLC last night reached an agreement with major creditors and have until January 19 to find new investors.

If the search proves unsuccessful the club will almost certainly go into administration.

However, interest is being shown by several parties, including Allan Leighton, who yesterday resigned from the Board as deputy chairman to enable him to be part of a possible takeover bid while having no conflicting interest.

Sheikh Abdul bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa is leading a Middle East consortium and other British based investors are waiting in the wings.

Updated: 10:44 Friday, December 05, 2003