The YEP this morning quote "a source close to GFH capital" who reckon that Ken Bates has no future whatsoever at Leeds United if and when the takeover happens. Yesterday the Leeds United Supporters Trust voiced their fears that Bates would still be involved in affairs at LS11 when ownership does eventually change.

LUST released a statement on Friday concerned by speculation any takeover would be "staggered" in stages and the controversial ex Chelsea chairman would remain in some capacity until the end of the season at least.

LUST pointed out that given the takeover has taken six-months without satisfactory conclusion, such an arrangement would not bode well for the club as it may suggest the relationship between Bates and GFH was not that cordial.

Having sold Chelsea in 2003, Bates stayed on as chairman for approximately 12 months post-sale. Back in August, one of the reasons he gave for the delay was GFH were not experts in football matters. Love him or loathe him, Bates has been involved with the beautiful game since the mid 1960's so fans who cannot wait to see the back of him are bound to fear he could retain the chairmanship or be involved in a consultancy role.

The Yorkshire Evening Post however claim that all ties with Bates will be severed when the deal goes through and they are bold enough to predict it might happen early next week.

Meanwhile their sister paper the Yorkshire Post quote Neil Warnock as saying promotion hinges on the takeover and what happens in the January transfer window.

“Everybody knows what we’re waiting for really,” Warnock said. “If we don’t get anyone in I think we’d be where we are now (in the table) come January but everybody at the club knows that.

“He’s (Bates) asked me to pick players out, to look for players for January if the takeover comes off etc and that’s what I’ve been doing, and they’re aware I’d love to get one or two in before the loan window ends.”

The loan window closes on November 25th, yesterday afternoon Leeds were reportedly close to signing Cameron Jerome from Stoke, but unless a hush-hush deal has been reached overnight and Jerome is named in the starting line-up for this afternoon's clash with Watford then Warnock's wishes again look to be unfulfilled.

Defeat to 16th placed Watford today could see Leeds slip to 19th by the end of the weekend.

Photo: Action Images via Reuters