Neil Warnock revealed that Luciano Becchio txtd Shaun Harvey from his sickbed to assure worried Leeds United he was not in Bournemouth watching Wigan!

Becchio's absence from last nights 2-1 FA Cup replay win against Birmingham sparked a frenzy of rumours on social networking sites including claims that he had been spotted in Bournemouth watching Wigan!

Becchio has been linked with a switch to the Premiership side and at the weekend Warnock hinted the players' head had been turned.

Following the comeback at St Andrews, Warnock told Sky Sports "I've heard the rumours but I think he has texted Shaun Harvey to say he is at home. So he's obviously heard the rumours.

"We lost Becchio this morning, he came off training on Monday and said he felt sick. And then the doc said he was sick in the night so he didn't travel."

Warnock was less clear about Becchio's future at the club, when asked if the player wished to stay at Leeds, the Leeds Manager replied "We'll see."

Whether or not the Argentine will still be a Leeds player by the time Tottenham arrive at Elland Road a week next Sunday remains to be seen, however in his absence Leeds came back from a goal down to beat Birmingham 2-1 with goals from Ross McCormack and an El Hadji Diouf penalty to earn a home tie with Spurs.

As for Becchio's future, ideally I want him to stay but if Wigan or whoever are offering around £4m and we have a decent replacement lined up I'd be seriously tempted to take the money.

Although he would get far better service in the Premiership, I do not believe he is quite cut out for the top flight and at 28 is hardly in a full bloom of youth.

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