JET-SETTER McPHAIL LOOKS FOR CURE

LEEDS UNITED midfielder Stephen McPhail joined many of his team-mates in boarding planes for foreign climes this week, but rather than flying off for World Cup duty he was heading for medical treatment in Germany.

The Republic of Ireland international has been dogged by an Achilles tendon injury all season, which has restricted him to just three starts for the Elland Road club so far.

The 20-year-old has now flown to Germany, and returned to England following an injection to receive further treatment - as many of his colleagues joined their national teams.

He is expected to fly back next week for a further injection and analysis, and admitted that the injury has affected his performances.

"I'm well away from what I should be," he said. "Hopefully it will be sorted out in the next two weeks.

"It's really annoying me at the moment and interrupting my training because it gets very sore. I just hope it clears up once and for all otherwise I may have to look at it again."

Leeds manager David O'Leary will hope that the treatment will enable McPhail to escape an operation, which his team-mate Harry Kewell has already had on his injured Achilles this season.

Despite the injury crisis which has engulfed Elland Road this season, McPhail is confident that the club's attempts to compete for the Premiership and Champions League have not been affected.

"We've just got to knuckle down and get on with the job in the League and, if we win our game in hand, that will put us right up there. The League is the most important - the Champions League is just a bonus."