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Mirror- QPR PLAYERS TO TAKE WAGES DROP IF RELEGATED
QPR players will lose 25 per cent of their wages - £1,500-a-week for some - if they are relegated, due to a clause in their contracts. Mirror
Leeds Today -
"...Meanwhile, the confusion surrounding Kevin Nicholls deepened today after Luton manager Mike Newell accused Leeds of offering to loan the midfielder to QPR.
The Kenilworth Road boss has claimed United were willing to lend their former captain to John Gregory's side – despite refusing an identical offer for Nicholls from Luton last week. Nicholls was stripped of the captaincy at Elland Road eight days ago after confirming to Dennis Wise that he wished to return to Kenilworth Road on loan, seven months after leaving Luton for Leeds in a £700,000 deal.
Wise rejected Newell's request to loan Nicholls until the end of the season, saying: "Is he seriously crazy, or what?"
But Newell added intrigue to tomorrow's crucial meeting between the clubs at Elland Road by claiming United were ready to release the midfielder to another of their relegation rivals. Leeds issued a statement denying his allegation this morning.
Asked whether he appreciated Wise's reluctance to aid Luton's cause, Newell said: "My understanding is that they've offered to loan him to QPR, and as far as I know they're down in the same area as us.
"It's never finished. The lad wants to come back to Luton which is great news.
"I was only made aware of the situation a week or two ago. As soon as I was made aware of it I made the phone call directly to Dennis Wise, as I would always do.
"But if someone says 'no, you can't have him' we just have to bide our time."
A United spokesman stressed today: "The club have had no contact with QPR regarding Kevin Nicholls."
Nicholls is unlikely to be involved against his former club tomorrow after being dropped for last weekend's game with Sheffield Wednesday, but he will still be considered for selection by United's management team, according to assistant boss Gus Poyet.
The Uruguayan insisted the "door was open" for Nicholls to resolve the situation with Wise, but claimed he could not shed further light on the midfielder's reasons for asking to leave Elland Road.
Poyet said: "It's up to Nicko to talk. He made a decision so it's up to him to clarify. He's not banned from speaking.
"He didn't say anything about any problems with us, or the way we train.
"It's up to him. Everyone here can come and talk to the manager, his door is open all the time. If he changes his mind, or if he made a mistake, he can say.
"He's available. He's still at the club and he's under contract.
"It's about picking the right team to play Luton. He wanted to go to Luton and now we might need him to play against Luton. "There's not too much chance, but he's available." Last Updated: 09 March 2007 Leeds Today
[Wes] Daly - Daly pulling the strings for Dons
Wes Daly is happy to be centre of attention as AFC Wimbledon's promotion tilt gathers pace.
Since manager Dave Anderson switched to a 4-3-3 system just after the turn of the year, Daly has been a revelation at the heart of the Dons midfield, which has coincided with a 10-game unbeaten run.
aly has been employed in every position across the midfield this campaign but admits it is in the middle of the park that he feels most comfortable.
He said: "My preferred position is centre midfield but I will play wherever I am told.
"I feel I have been playing better of late because I have been given that central role.
"But, if the boss asks me to play somewhere different, then I will.
"I love having that responsibility; a lot goes through me in midfield but I feel I am up to it.
"I have been playing in that role since I was young and that is how I have learnt to play football - to try to dictate things as much as I can."
The former QPR midfielder has become a fixture in the midfield three, together with Luke Garrard, but the diminutive Daly insists he does not mind who he plays with, and has heralded Anderson's decision to revert to 4-3-3.
"I enjoy playing with all our midfield players. Luke and I are the ones who seem to be playing at the moment but that can change," Daly said.
"Everyone works for each other and we do what we have to do.
"I think playing three instead of four in the middle of the park works well.
"Since we have switched to this formation, we have been playing better.
"It gives us more attacking options and creates space for us to get on the ball."
Anderson has been delighted with Daly's contribution.
"He is an important player for us, no matter what position he plays in," he said.
"He has been back on his game in recent weeks after a dip in form earlier in the season. He is a very intelligent player and that, together with his passing and work rate, makes him very important."
* AFC Wimbledon's appeal against the 18-point deduction for fielding Jermaine Darlington without international clearance will be heard by the FA on Monday, March 26.... Daily