MEANWHILE, OVER AT THE ASYLUM...

KKK is convinced his Manchester City side can sneak up on distracted Premiership opponents to claim a top six place.

"I think we are capable of finishing in that top six. I feel that we can finish high up the league not necessarily because of how good we can be but because other teams up there have distractions like the Champions League.

"That is a major distraction because that is where some of those teams prefer to be and the league is something they have to do. Maybe we can pick up on that and that is why I am tipping top six.

"They are also more likely to pick up injuries and extra matches and all that travelling is very tiring.

"Obviously we have a lot of work to do and we will have to keep our standards where they were against Newcastle and, to be honest, where they were last week against Leeds. We must now build on Saturday's performance when we play Villa on Wednesday.

"I thought the lads, to a man, were exceptional. We created a lot of chances and played some wonderful football. We were never on easy street because we didn't put the ball in the net but fair dos to the players, 1-0 doesn't tell the full story."

Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale said he had received ``appalling, threatening'' letters which shocked him and made him wonder if he wants to carry on at Elland Road after Ferdinand's United switch.

Ridsdale said that the job is the `most taxing I`ve ever had' and admits `you can only do it for so long'.

`I've never done a job where I've been insulted so much and it's hard to cope with,' he said.

`The letters I've had since Rio Ferdinand left have been appalling, threatening stuff that makes you wonder about people's psychological state. It shocks me that they can be so vitriolic towards me and it's a reminder of how passionate fans can be in a negative way,' he told The Times.

Ridsdale also criticised O'Leary's decision to write a book, `Leeds United on Trial', claiming he was `stunned by its title and timing'.

He added: `It's wrong to say the book did not have an impact on the team's performance. We were top on January 1 and then we had an appalling two months. I don't see the need to write books when you are in a well-paid job.'

Leicester have confirmed that they will fight a Football League decision ordering them to reinstate Dennis Wise.

Wise was sacked by the club after allegedly breaking team-mate Callum Davidson's jaw in a pre-season incident.

However, a Football League Disciplinary Commission ruled Wise had been treated too harshly and ruled the maximum punishment should be a fine of two weeks' wages.

Greg Clarke, chairman of Leicester City plc, insisted that the club would fight the decision.